Swim Deep

Swim Deep was formed in 2010 by Austin Williams, Tom Higgins, and Wolfgang J. Harte. The band went through multiple drummers until they eventually recruited Zachary Robinson, who, at the time, was playing in a band called Cajole Cajole. On the subject, Austin said, "We thought it was a long shot but we’d just lost another drummer so we asked Zach if he wanted to join our band, that was one of the best things that happened, to be honest."{{cite web|url=http://www.theregenttheater.com/event/225203-britweek-new-build-hot-chip-los-angeles/|title=BRITWEEK WITH NEW BUILD (HOT CHIP / LCD SOUNDSYSTEM)|work=The Regent Theater|date=n.d.|accessdate=27 April 2016}} After a few months, Harte announced that he was leaving the band. The band played as a three piece until they recruited Cavan McCarthy, a merchandise seller from a fellow Birmingham band, Peace.{{cite web|author=|url=http://swim-deep.tumblr.com/about|title=Swim Deep about|publisher=Swim Deep |date=|accessdate=21 June 2013}} The band released two demos, "Isla Vista" and "Santa Maria," on SoundCloud in 2011.{{cite web|author=|url=https://soundcloud.com/swimdeep |title=SWIM DEEP soundcloud | publisher=Swim Deep |date=|accessdate=21 June 2013}}

In 2012, Swim Deep signed with Chess Club/RCA and released their debut single, "King City," in May 2012. After a UK tour with Spector in November and December 2012, the band went to Brussels to record their debut album with producer Charlie Hugall. They released their second single, "Honey," in November. NME's review of "Honey" said that "the best bits of the Birmingham mob’s latest cut have the pull of a star-spangled whirlpool that’ll suck you back into the late ’80s."{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/swim-deep/13849 |title=Swim Deep – 'Honey' review |publisher=NME.com |date=2 November 2012|accessdate=21 June 2013}}

File:Swim Deep, Birmingham, 2013.png

The band accompanied Two Door Cinema Club during their early 2013 UK tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.blacklighttours.co.uk/2012/12/swim-deep-two-door-cinema-club/|title=Swim Deep supporting Two Door Cinema Club|work=Blacklight Tours LTD|first=Ricky|last=Haley|date=31 December 2012|accessdate=27 April 2016}} On 3 February 2013, a video was released for their next single, "The Sea".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG38MzBZGeo|work=YouTube|title=Swim Deep - The Sea|date=3 February 2013|accessdate=27 April 2016}} The single was released the month after on 7" vinyl and download, backed with a cover of "Down by the Seaside". On 10 May 2013, they released their fourth single, "She Changes the Weather", along with an EP of the same name.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/swim-deep/69326|work=NME|title=Swim Deep to release debut album 'Where The Heaven Are We' in July|first=Adam|last=Bychawski|date=21 March 2013|accessdate=27 April 2016}}

On 29 July 2013, Swim Deep's debut album, Where the Heaven Are We, was released.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/swim-deep/14621|title=Review: Swim Deep - 'Where The Heaven Are We'|work=NME|first=Barry|last=Nicolson|date=25 July 2013|accessdate=27 April 2016}} Where The Heaven Are We received mainly positive reviews, with a Metacritic score of 72.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/where-the-heaven-are-we/swim-deep |title=Where the Heaven Are We by Swim Deep Reviews and Tracks |website=Metacritic.com |date=2013-08-05 |accessdate=2020-04-23}} NME and The Guardian both rated the album three out of five stars. The Guardian's Michael Hann commented that "Where the Heaven Are We is a pleasant wander through the byways of early-90s indie styles that doesn't ever really assert itself terribly strongly".{{cite web|last=Hann|first=Michael|title=Swim Deep: Where The Heaven Are We? - review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/aug/01/swim-deep-where-heaven-review|work=The Guardian|date=August 2013}} NME's Barry Nicolson said, "the dreamy, detached sneer of the vocals, the lolloping XXL basslines, all that unwashed hair… Some scenes come roaring out of the traps; B-Town seemed to roll out of bed, insular and uncontrived, smirking at its own in-jokes".{{cite web|last=Nicolson|first=Barry|title=Swim Deep - 'Where the Heaven Are We'|date=25 July 2013|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/swim-deep/14621|publisher=NME}}

Following tours throughout 2013 to support their debut album, the band began recording their second album in London in September 2014. In December, they returned to Brussels to continue their progress. They finished recording in January 2015. They released "To My Brother", the first single from the second record, in February. "To My Brother" was noted by critics for its marked change in direction, with many picking up on the unexpected influence of acid house music.{{cite web|last1=Gibsone|first1=Harriet|title=The playlist: indie – Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Swim Deep, Gaz Coombes and more|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/11/the-playlist-indie-unknown-mortal-orchestra-swim-deep-gaz-coombes|website=The Guardian|date=11 February 2015|accessdate=12 February 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Murray|first1=Robin|title=Listen: Swim Deep - 'To My Brother'|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/listen-swim-deep-to-my-brother|website=Clash|date=10 February 2015 |accessdate=12 February 2015}} Speaking to DIY Magazine, Austin addressed the band's dramatic new direction: "I feel like we’re all shaving our heads and going to war with this record."{{cite web|last1=Milton|first1=Jamie|title=Swim Deep return with 'To My Brother' single, new UK dates|url=https://diymag.com/2015/02/09/swim-deep-return-with-to-my-brother-single-new-uk-dates|website=DIY|date=9 February 2015 |accessdate=12 February 2015}} The second single from the album, "One Great Song and I Could Change the World", was released in April 2015.

In June 2015, the band announced Mothers, their sophomore album, would be released 19 September, but later was delayed until 2 October 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/swim-deep/86416|work=NME|title=Swim Deep announce details of second album 'Mothers'|date=21 June 2015|accessdate=27 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/swim-deep/16265|work=NME|title=Review: Swim Deep - 'Mothers'|date=24 September 2015|first=Rhian|last=Daly|accessdate=27 April 2016}} Mothers, heavily influenced by acid house and techno, received positive reviews from critics, with a Metacritic score of 79.{{cite web|author=WolfLambert |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/mothers/swim-deep |title=Mothers by Swim Deep Reviews and Tracks |website=Metacritic.com |date= |accessdate=2020-04-23}} NME's Rhian Daly described "Namaste" as "a great big bolt of pop that’s impossible to ignore".{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/swim-deeps-new-single-namaste-is-a-great-big-bolt-of-pop-fun|title=Swim Deep's New Single "Namaste" Is A Great Big Bolt Of Pop Fun|first=Rhian|last=Daly|website=NME|date=12 August 2015|accessdate=27 April 2016}} DIY Magazine's Stephen Ackroyd said that "Fueiho Boogie" "explodes time and time again into increasingly more ridiculous krautrock techno extravaganzas."{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2015/10/02/swim-deep-mothers-album-review|title=Album Review: Swim Deep - Mothers|first=Stephen|last=Ackroyd|work=DIY Magazine|date=2 October 2015|accessdate=27 April 2016}} In December 2015, Swim Deep toured North America with The 1975.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-1975/86693|work=NME|title=The 1975 and Swim Deep to tour the US together|first=Luke|last=Morgan Britton|date=5 July 2015|accessdate=27 April 2016}}

Swim Deep confirmed they were recording their third album in Margate in June 2018 titled, Emerald Classics, in reference of a pub in Birmingham called The Emerald.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2019/05/28/swim-deep-austin-williams-interview/|title=Austin Williams On Swim Deep's Return | Wonderland Magazine|date=29 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529091324/https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2019/05/28/swim-deep-austin-williams-interview/|accessdate=20 October 2020|archive-date=29 May 2019}} The band later announced the departures of long-serving members Zachary Robinson and Tom Higgins in a statement. Captioning a photograph of a new-look Swim Deep on the beach, they said: "We’re off to a studio by the sea to finally finish the album we’ve been dreaming of our whole lives and we’re so ready to share it with you."

They played their first show of the year in Jakarta, Indonesia in September 2018, performing two new songs titled "To Feel Good" and "Sail Away, Say Goodbye". The songs were later included in their third album. They performed their first gig in the UK at Dalston venue Birthdays on 12 September 2018, and later headlined Academy 2 Manchester as part of Neighbourhood Festival. Both UK comeback shows were well-received. The band played their first hometown show in Birmingham for three years on 4 November, playing an in-store show at the Dr Martens store in Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre. In February 2019, they performed a sold-out show at Guildford Boileroom for Independent Venue Week.

The band returned with new single "To Feel Good" in May 2019.{{cite news | url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/swim-deep-return-incredible-new-16345619 | title=Swim Deep return with incredible new single To Feel Good and announce third album Emerald Classics | date=29 May 2019 | first=James | last=Rodger | publisher=Birmingham Live | accessdate=24 June 2019 }} They then performed three shows in Birmingham at The Sunflower Lounge as part of a residency in June 2019. On 4 October 2019, they released their third album, Emerald Classics. It was followed by a UK headline tour and a series of shows in Thailand and mainland China.

On 5 November 2021, Swim Deep released "On the Floor" which featured singer Phoebe Green. It is the lead single off their collaborative EP, Familiarise Yourself with Your Closest Exit. It was released on 11 March 2022. The EP contains five tracks that featured other artists, Australian singer-songwriter Hatchie and Thai pop duo Dept, as well as Williams' fiancée, Nell Power.{{cite news | url=https://readdork.com/news/swim-deep-big-green-apple/ | title=Swim Deep have shared a brand new sun-kissed hit, 'Big Green Apple' | date=15 February 2022 | first=Stephen | last=Ackroyd | publisher=DORK | accessdate=16 February 2022}}{{cite news | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/swim-deep-team-up-with-hatchie-for-new-single-worlds-unluckiest-guy-3139272 | title=Swim Deep team up with Hatchie for new single 'World's Unluckiest Guy' | date=17 January 2022 | first=Daniel | last=Peters | publisher=NME | accessdate=16 February 2022}}{{cite news | url=https://diymag.com/2022/03/11/swim-deep-dept-new-listen-good-news | title=SWIM DEEP TEAM UP WITH THAI DUO DEPT FOR 'GOOD NEWS' | date=11 March 2022 |website=DIY | accessdate=12 March 2022}} Written during lockdown, Williams described the EP as "shoegazey, but like The 1975 [rather than] a '90s throwback".{{cite news | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/swim-deep-tell-us-about-their-cinematic-new-single-on-the-floor-featuring-phoebe-green-3087668 | title=Swim Deep tell us about their cinematic new single 'On The Floor', featuring Phoebe Green | date=5 November 2021 | first=Rhian | last=Daly | publisher=NME | accessdate=16 February 2022 }}

On 1 September 2022, the band announced a UK headline tour, alongside the release of a stand-alone single, "Little Blue".{{cite news | url=https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/news/swim-deep-return-with-soaring-new-track-little-blue-22158/ | title=Swim Deep return with soaring new track 'Little Blue' | date=1 September 2022 | first=Nick | last=Reilly | publisher=Rolling Stone | accessdate=1 September 2022 }}

On 7 June 2024 the band released their 4th studio album, There's A Big Star Outside via Submarine Cat Records.{{cite magazine |last=Skinner |first=Tom |date=21 February 2024 |title=Swim Deep announce new album 'There's A Big Star Outside', produced by Bill Ryder-Jones |magazine=NME | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/swim-deep-announce-new-album-theres-a-big-star-outside-produced-by-bill-ryder-jones-3590752 |access-date=16 October 2024 }} Produced by Bill Ryder-Jones, their 4th album gained critical acclaim via Dork Magazine, DIY Magazine, Le Monde and BBC Radio 6.{{cite magazine |last=Harrison |first=Dan |title=Swim Deep - There's A Big Star Outside |website=Dork |url=https://readdork.com/albums/swim-deep-theres-a-big-star-outside/#:~:text=Thematically%2C%20'There's%20A%20Big%20Star,of%20significance%20to%20the%20undertaking. |access-date=16 October 2024 }} Frontman Austin Williams declared the new direction as "a lot more sensitive and a lot more vulnerable".{{cite magazine |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=2 May 2024 |title=Swim Deep and Bill Ryder-Jones tell us about new single 'Very Heaven' and their "brave" new album |magazine=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/swim-deep-bill-ryder-jones-very-heaven-interview-3752411 |access-date=16 October 2024 }}

The band's musical style has been described as "melodic, guitar-based rock that belies the influence of '80s dream pop and '90s shoegaze."{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/swim-deep-mn0002935161/biography | title=Swim Deep biography | publisher=Allmusic | accessdate=27 March 2016 | author=Collar, Matt}} The band's debut album featured an indie pop sound, with influences from bands such as Ride and the Stone Roses, as well as from baggy, trip hop and new wave genres.{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mothers-mw0002868670 | title=Swim - Deep Mothers | publisher=Allmusic | accessdate=27 March 2016 | author=Collar, Matt}}{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/festivals-blog/swim-deep-frontman-austin-williams-track-by-track-guide-to-acid-drenched-new-album-mothers | title=Swim Deep Frontman Austin Williams' Track-By-Track Guide To Acid-Drenched New Album 'Mothers' | work=NME | date=6 October 2015 | accessdate=27 March 2016}} Nevertheless, the band transitioned to a psychedelic pop sound on their second album, Mothers, informed by acid house, Balearic beat, gospel music and Motorik rhythms.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/01/swim-deep-mothers-review | title=Swim Deep: Mothers review – baggy indie kids embrace psych-pop | work=The Guardian | date=1 October 2015 | accessdate=27 March 2016 | author=Mokoena, Tshepo}}

• Austin Williams - vocals, guitar, sitar, keyboards, synthesizer, organ, piano, xylophone, percussion (2010–present)
• Cavan McCarthy - bass guitar, keyboard, synthesizer, backing vocals (2012–present)
• James Balmont - keyboards, synthesizer, keytar, piano, percussion, backing vocals (touring member 2013-2014, full member 2014–present)
• Robbie Wood - guitar, keyboard, backing vocals (2018–present){{cite web|author=SWIM DEEP ≈ |url=https://twitter.com/SWIM_DEEP/status/1014150461107200000 |title=SWIM DEEP ≈ on Twitter: "Robbie - he's one of us" |website=Twitter.com |date=2018-07-03 |accessdate=2020-04-23}}
• Thomas "Tomaski" Fiquet - drums, backing vocals (2018–present)

• James "Wolfgang" Harte - bass guitar, backing vocals (2010–2012)
• Tom Higgins - guitar, keyboard, synthesizer, backing vocals (2010–2018){{cite web|author=SWIM DEEP ≈ |url=https://twitter.com/SWIM_DEEP/status/1013883507268116480 |title=SWIM DEEP ≈ on Twitter: "It's happenin x" |website=Twitter.com |date= July 2, 2018 |accessdate=2020-04-23}}
• Zachary Robinson - drums, percussion, keyboard, synthesizer, backing vocals (2011–2018)
• Johnny Aries - keyboards (2013) (touring member)

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Category:English indie rock groups

Category:Musical groups established in 2011

Category:Psychedelic pop music groups

Category:British indie pop groups

Category:RCA Records artists

Category:2011 establishments in England