THE WHITE SWAN: Atmospheric Sludge Rock Trio Featuring Members Of Kittie And More To Release Nocturnal Transmission EP This Fall; New Video Playing At Revolver

“…a gauzy, atmospheric brand of sludgy doomgaze…” — Revolver

View / Share THE WHITE SWAN’s “In Love And Ritual” Video HERE.

London, Ontario-based atmospheric sludge rock unit THE WHITE SWAN, spearheaded by Kittie’s Mercedes Lander, will release their entrancing Nocturnal Transmission EP September 18th.

The EP’s four tracks see the trio – Lander with Kira Longeuay and Shane Jeffers (Bloodmoon Collective) — wearing their collective heart on their sleeves, delivering over twenty minutes of sprawling, melodic sound waves. In December 2019, the band recorded three songs and a cover (Tracy Bonham’s “Tell It To The Sky”) of what can only be described as love songs. Lander has penned lyrics that chronicle the joy, desire, longing, and eventual feeling of completeness that comes with a romantic relationship. From the night drives through the snow in the early days, right through to the handcrafted guitar built as a wedding gift from her now husband, the intricacies of true love permeate every moment of Nocturnal Transmission

Reprising a long-time creative relationship with producer Siegfried Meier, Lander felt both at home and re-energized by the familiarity and collaborative nature of their work. Recording took just two days, retaining many of the hallmarks of THE WHITE SWAN‘s earlier output, but adding a slightly polished sheen to the proceedings. With vocal layering and touches of psychedelic synths adding textural elements to the songs, the result is an enveloping experience of fuzzed out guitars and molasses-like melody. Describing Nocturnal Transmission as a “turning point” for the band, the album art by collage artist Caitlyn Grabenstein reflects the feeling of standing on the precipice, staring into the unknown. Acknowledging that there will always be a constant sound to THE WHITE SWAN, Lander states that their main intention is to “grow and grow.” With an ever-developing sound and a solid combination of creative musicians in their ranks, Nocturnal Transmission is the latest in what is sure to be an ever expanding back catalog of triumphs. 

In advance of the release of Nocturnal Transmission, the band is pleased to unveil a video for opening track, “In Love And Ritual.” Now playing at Revolver, Lander elaborates, “‘In Love And Ritual’ is about finding the person that completes you and the journey of realizing how having that person in your life teaches us to become brand new; kind of like a rebirth of feeling and emotional connection. I really wanted to create space with this song, keeping the roller coaster of dynamics in the forefront with a touch of chaos running in the background. Having the lyrics and melody build with the music and really complement each other.” 

View THE WHITE SWAN’s “In Love And Ritual,” courtesy of Revolver, at THIS LOCATION.

Nocturnal Transmission will be released digitally and on limited edition vinyl via War Crime Recordings. For preorders go to THIS LOCATION.

Nocturnal Transmission Track Listing:

1. In Love And Ritual

2. Nocturnal Transmission

3. Purple

4. Tell It To The Sky (Tracy Bonham cover)

THE WHITE SWAN:

Mercedes Lander – drums, vocals, keyboards, guitar

Shane Jeffers – guitar

Kira Longeuay – bass

Former Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver drummer releases new video for his song “Ode to Nick”

Drummer/Frontman Matt Sorum has just released a new video for his song “Ode to Nick”. The somber track is the latest in a series of video releases from Sorums new solo project “Matt Sorum’s Fierce Joy” and come in the wake of the group’s debut album “Stratosphere” which was released in March of this year.

Sorum recently had this to say about the new video: “Ode to Nick was written as a love song to my wife Ace. I have always loved Nick Drake from the first time I heard the Song “Riverman” from the “Five Leaves Left” album. His poetry was beautiful, deep and honest – the way love should be. I used Nick Drake as a metaphor for love, and the romantic sentiment of his song titles are used throughout. I thought of the most peaceful place that I spent my childhood, at my grandmother’s lake house on Green Lake, Minnesota and the sound I would hear in the distance … a loon. Hence the chorus, “Love is a boat on a lake, Just you and me and Nick Drake”.

“I’d like to dedicate this video to the actor that played the Riverman on the bus stop bench Vince Guarino who passed away August 5, 2014. “There are things behind the sun.”

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