Michael Gira 'Reactivates' Swans, Offers Handmade CD

Posted on Jan 18th 2010 10:38PM by Benjy Eisen
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In an email message sent through his record label, Young God Records, experimental rocker Michael Gira has confirmed his intent to reform Swans, the influential "no wave" band which once paved the way for Sonic Youth, among others. "I have decided to focus my energy on Swans once again," writes Gira. "I'm reactivating that project."

Swans formed in 1982 and initially disbanded in 1997. Since then, Gira has kept busy with side-projects including Angels of Light and the Body Lovers. He also runs Young God, which has continued to distribute his recorded output as well as give rise to young upstarts including Devendra Banhart and Akron/Family.

For the new Swans project, Gira can't really get a big advance from the record label because he is the record label. So, to raise funds the old fashioned way, he's not hosting a bake sale or car wash but he is offering handmade goods -- a limited edition CD/DVD package of 1000, each with its own unique artwork made on a woodblock, hand printed, colored and numbered. Despite that meticulous process, the set is called 'I Am Not Insane' and includes brand new Swans material, performed solo by Gira. It's available now through mail-order only.

On the web page for the release, Gira writes that he first thought about "reactivating" Swans a few years ago when Akron/Family was his backing band on an Angels of Light tour. "One thing I want to point out right now: THIS IS NOT A REUNION," he writes. "It's not some ... nostalgia act. It is not repeating the past."

Dear Swans: We'll see you in the future.