Swirlies at Union Transfer (09 Mar 24) with Lovesliescrushing, Mint Field, Knifeplay, Astrobrite, and glixen

Swirlies

Swirlies is an American indie rock band formed in Boston in 1990. The band’s sound is a blend of alternative rock, shoegaze, and noise pop, often characterized by fuzzy guitars, ethereal vocals, and dense layers of distortion and feedback. They were greatly influenced by bands from the early UK shoegaze scene such as My Bloody Valentine and Ride, as well as indie rock pioneers Sonic Youth.

Their music best represents a unique American take on the UK-dominated shoegaze genre, intelligently fusing it with elements of indie rock and noise pop. In terms of their lineup, the band has experienced several changes over its history, but Damon Tutunjian and Andy Bernick have remained constant members.

Key songs in their discography that help define their sound include “Pancake” and “Bell” from their critically acclaimed album “Blonder Tongue Audio Baton”. Another representative track is “San Cristóbal de Las Casas” from their album “They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the Salons”. These songs showcase the band’s ability to create a sonic landscape filled with sprawling guitars, heavy distortion, melodic basslines, and soft, echoing vocals.

Swirlies are a band that has flown somewhat under the mainstream radar, but their influential sound and raw, passionate approach to music have ensured they have remained cult favorites within their genre. So, if you’re planning to attend a Swirlies concert soon, you should expect a seascape of sounds that are at the same time raw, layered, noisy, and deeply atmospheric.