Will Swan (musician)

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Will Swan
Will Swan, 2011.jpg
Will Swan performing in 2011
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Swan [1]
Born (1985-12-05) December 5, 1985 (age 38)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Guitar
  • bass guitar
  • vocals
Years active2003–present
Labels
Member of

William Swan (born December 5, 1985) [2] is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance and as the founder and owner of record label Blue Swan Records. [3] [4] He is also a guitarist in the metal band Secret Band, progressive rock band Royal Coda, and was a guitarist in the now defunct Sianvar.

Contents

Swan co-founded the Sacramento based post-hardcore band Farewell Unknown, releasing the album The 40 Day Fake Out in 2004, before disbanding. In 2005, he formed the band Dance Gavin Dance and released their debut extended play (EP), Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean (2006), later signing to Rise Records. With the band, he has released 10 full-length studio albums, including the top 20 albums Mothership (2016), Artificial Selection (2018), and Afterburner (2020), and the top top-ten album Jackpot Juicer (2022), three live albums, and four one-off singles. In 2011, Swan, along with members of Dance Gavin Dance, formed the metalcore band Secret Band, releasing two full-length studio albums and one EP. In 2013, together with members of Stolas and A Lot Like Birds, he formed the post-hardcore supergroup Sianvar, releasing their self-titled debut EP in 2014 followed by their debut studio album, Stay Lost (2016), each on Swan's record label Blue Swan Records. After Sianvar disbanded in 2018, Swan joined the progressive rock band Royal Coda, participating on their second and third albums Compassion (2019) and To Only A Few At First (2022).

He launched the independent record label Blue Swan Records in 2013, signing bands such as Sianvar, Stolas, Hail the Sun, and Secret Band. In 2021, the label signed a publishing contract with BMG and partnered with Rise Records.

Early life

Will Swan was born in Sacramento, California, on December 5, 1985, where he was born and raised. He is part African American and part Mexican. [5] He became interested in pursuing a music career after seeing Green Day at Fillmore West in San Francisco at the age of 12, in December 1997. [6] [7]

Career

2003–05: Farewell Unknown

Will Swan began his music career as the founder and lead guitarist for the post-hardcore band Farewell Unknown with vocalist Joel Rabara, percussionist Drew Ochwat, guitarist Alvaro Alcala, and bass guitarist Eric Lodge. [8] The band released one studio album, The 40 Day Fake Out, on October 19, 2004. [9] After disbanding in 2005, Swan and Lodge both recruited drummer Matt Mingus and vocalists Jon Mess and Jonny Craig to form the post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance in 2005. [10]

2005–present: Dance Gavin Dance

Dance Gavin Dance formed in Sacramento, California, with members Jonny Craig, Jon Mess, Sean O'Sullivan, Eric Lodge, and Matthew Mingus, along with Swan. The band released their debut EP, Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean on November 14, 2006, later signing a recording contract with Rise Records. They released the singles "And I Told Them I Invented Times New Roman" and "Lemon Meringue Tie", subsequently releasing their debut full-length studio album, Downtown Battle Mountain on May 15, 2007, through Rise and charted at No. 46 on the U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums chart. [11] In 2008, Craig and O'Sullivan departed from the band and were later replaced by vocalist Kurt Travis and guitarist Zac Garren, releasing their sophomore self-titled studio album, Dance Gavin Dance , on August 19, 2008. In 2008, vocalist Jon Mess and bass guitarist Eric Lodge left the band. Swan pursued both lead and rhythm guitar along with unclean vocals and Lodge was replaced by Jason Ellis. Happiness was released as the band's third studio album on June 9, 2009, and was led by the singles "Don't Tell Dave" and "NASA." In 2010, original vocalists Jonny Craig and Jon Mess and bass guitarist Eric Lodge rejoined the band, which subsequently Travis, Garren, and Ellis left the band, and Dance Gavin Dance recorded their fourth studio album Downtown Battle Mountain II , a follow-up sequel to the band's debut studio album. The album was released on March 8, 2011, and charted at No. 82 on the Billboard 200, No. 13 on the Independent Albums chart, and No. 4 on the Hot Rock Albums chart. [11]

Craig and Lodge each left the band throughout 2012, leading to vocalist Tilian Pearson, bass guitarist Tim Feerick, and guitarist Josh Benton joining the band. The band released their fifth studio album, Acceptance Speech on October 8, 2013, peaking at No. 42 on the Billboard 200, No. 13 on the Alternative Albums chart, No. 7 on the Independent Albums chart and No. 6 on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart. With Benton leaving the band following the album's release, Dance Gavin Dance released their sixth studio album, Instant Gratification , on April 14, 2015, charting at No. 32 on the Billboard 200, becoming their best-selling album to date. In celebration of the band's 10-year anniversary, they embarked on their 10 Year Anniversary North American Tour with supporting acts Slaves, A Lot Like Birds, Strawberry Girls, and Dayshell. [12] The tour took place from November 13 to December 19, 2015. [13]

On February 21, 2020, the group announced their ninth studio album, Afterburner , with a scheduled released date of April 24, 2020. [14] On the same day, they released its lead single "Prisoner", accompanied with its music video. [15] In December 2020, the group announced Tree City Sessions 2, which was released to digital download and streaming platforms on December 25. [16] The live album was accompanied with a concert streaming event where the group performed a fan voted setlist on the Tower Bridge in Sacramento, California, which was broadcast on December 19. [17]

On March 24, 2022, the band released the single "Synergy". [18]

2011–present: Secret Band

Along with other Dance Gavin Dance members Eric Lodge, Matthew Mingus, and Jon Mess, Will Swan formed the band Secret Band in 2011. The name of the band derives from the idea of keeping it a secret from other members of Dance Gavin Dance, more so from vocalist Jonny Craig. The band released their self-titled debut EP in June 2014. [19]

2013–2019: Sianvar

Sianvar is a post-hardcore supergroup founded by Will Swan with Hail the Sun's Donovan Melero (vocals), Stolas' Sergio Medina (guitar), A Lot Like Birds' Joseph Arrington (drums, percussion), and A Lot Like Birds' Michael Franzino (bass guitar). On November 8, 2013, the band released their first single, Sick Machine through Blue Swan Records. [20] They released the Sianvar EP on January 5, 2014. [21] Their debut studio album, Stay Lost , was released on August 4, 2016. [22]

2019–present: Royal Coda

On June 5, 2019, Swan was announced to be a guitarist in the American post-hardcore band Royal Coda, who are signed to his independent record label Blue Swan Records and consists of lead vocalist Kurt Travis, former Stolas guitarist Sergio Medina, and former A Lot Like Birds drummer Joe Arrington. [23] Swan recorded guitar and bass guitar with producer Kris Crummett for the band's second studio album, Compassion , which was released on November 7, 2019. [24] Swan's first tour with the group took place from September 13 to October 13, 2019, on Hail the Sun's US tour with Strawberry Girls and VIS. [25] In a post on Facebook, Dance Gavin Dance confirmed that Compassion was a spiritual sequel to the group's 2009 studio album, Happiness , which also features both Kurt Travis and Will Swan. [26]

On July 6, 2022, the band announced their third studio album, To Only A Few At First , and released two songs, "We Slowly Lose Hope For Things To Come" and "Screen Time Overload", the former of which had a music video premiere on Blue Swan Records channel on YouTube. [27] The band performed as support on Dance Gavin Dance's US summer tour from July 26 to August 24, 2022, along with Body Thief. [28]

Blue Swan Records

Will Swan founded and launched his own independent record label, named Blue Swan Records, in early 2013. [6] The first groups Swan signed were American rock bands Stolas and Sianvar. The label's debut release was Living Creatures by Stolas, on March 14, 2013. The label is prominently known for signing the rock bands Hail the Sun, Icarus the Owl, Stolas and Wolf & Bear.

On February 18, 2021, it was announced that Blue Swan Records had partnered with Rise Records. [29]

Discography

with Farewell Unknown

with Dance Gavin Dance

with Sianvar

with Secret Band

with Royal Coda

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance Gavin Dance</span> American post-hardcore band

Dance Gavin Dance is an American rock band from Sacramento, California, formed in 2005. It consists of vocalist Jon Mess, lead guitarist Will Swan, clean vocalist and rhythm guitarist Andrew Wells, and drummer Matthew Mingus. The band formerly included lead vocalists Jonny Craig, Kurt Travis, and Tilian Pearson, and the lineup has changed numerous times since their inception. Swan and Mingus are the only band members who have appeared on every studio album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt Travis</span> American musician

Kurt Travis is an American singer, musician, and songwriter from Sacramento, California. He is currently part of the post-hardcore bands Royal Coda and Push Over and the math rock duo Gold Necklace and was formerly a vocalist in the rock bands Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds.

Stolas was an American post-hardcore band from Las Vegas, Nevada formed in 2011. The band consisted of Carlo Marquez, and Sergio Medina. The band was signed as the first band on Blue Swan Records in 2013, a record label launched by Will Swan of Dance Gavin Dance. They have released one EP, Losing Wings (2012) and three studio albums, Living Creatures (2013), Allomaternal (2014), and Stolas (2017). The group signed to Equal Vision Records in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tilian Pearson</span> American singer-songwriter

Tilian Pearson, also known mononymously as Tilian, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer born in Clearwater, Florida. From 2012 to 2024, he was the third clean vocalist for the post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance. Pearson began his music career as the lead vocalist and guitarist in the progressive rock band Tides of Man, releasing an extended play and two studio albums before leaving in 2010.

Hail the Sun is an American post-hardcore band from Chico, California. Formed in 2009, the band currently consists of lead vocalist and drummer Donovan Melero, guitarist Shane Gann, guitarist Aric Garcia, bass guitarist John Stirrat, and touring and studio drummer Allen Casillas. They are known for their eclectic progressive rock and math rock style, along with traditional elements of emo, screamo and post-hardcore. They released their debut studio album, POW! Right In the Kisser! (2010), and EP, Elephantitis (2012), independently before signing to Blue Swan Records the following year. The group released their sophomore studio album, Wake, in 2014. In 2016, the band departed from the label, signing to Equal Vision Records and released their third studio album, Culture Scars on June 17, 2016, which charted at number 38 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart.

Sianvar was an American progressive rock band from Sacramento, California, formed in 2013. The group currently consists of lead vocalist Donovan Melero, guitarists Will Swan and Sergio Medina, and drummer Joseph Arrington. The band is signed to Swan's independent record label Blue Swan Records. They released their debut self-titled EP on January 5, 2014 and their debut full-length studio album, Stay Lost, in August 2016. The band announced an indefinite hiatus on April 8, 2019.

<i>Stay Lost</i> 2016 studio album by Sianvar

Stay Lost is the debut full-length studio album by American post-hardcore band Sianvar, released on August 5, 2016, on Blue Swan Records. The album serves as a follow-up to the band's 2014 debut EP, Sianvar. It is the band's only studio album to feature bass guitarist Michael Franzino and is the final release before the group announced its indefinite hiatus in April 2019.

Royal Coda is an American rock band based in Sacramento, California, founded by lead guitarist Sergio Medina. They are known for their amalgamation of progressive rock, psychedelic rock, and post-hardcore. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Kurt Travis, guitarists Sergio Medina and Will Swan, and bass guitarist Steffen Gotsch.

<i>The Skeptic</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Tilian

The Skeptic is the third solo studio album by American singer-songwriter and former Dance Gavin Dance vocalist Tilian Pearson, released on September 28, 2018, through Future Friends and Rise Records. The album is a follow-up to his second studio album, Perfect Enemy (2015), and is his first solo release on Rise since departing with Vital Records. The album was produced by Kris Crummett, who performed drums and percussion on the record, while Pearson performed guitar, keyboards, and bass guitar.

<i>Royal Coda</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Royal Coda

Royal Coda is the eponymous debut full-length studio album by American post-hardcore band Royal Coda, released on April 27, 2018, on Blue Swan Records. The album was produced by Dominic Nastasi and Mike Watts. It is the only release to feature the original trio of lead vocalist Kurt Travis, guitarist Sergio Medina, and drummer Joseph Arrington before guitarist Will Swan joined the three musicians the following year.

Eidola is an American rock band from Salt Lake City, Utah, formed in 2011. The band consists of lead vocalist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Wells, guitarist Sergio Medina, bass guitarist James Johnson, guitarist and unclean vocalist Matthew Dommer, and drummer Matthew Hansen. They self-released their debut studio album, The Great Glass Elephant, in 2012. The group signed to Blue Swan Records in 2014 and released their second and third albums, Degeneraterra (2015) and To Speak, To Listen (2017). In December 2017, lead guitarist Brandon Bascom left the band and was replaced by Royal Coda guitarist Sergio Medina.

Wolf & Bear is an American post-hardcore band from Sacramento, California. Formed in 2013, the band consists of vocalists Marcus Cisneros and Tyler Watt, guitarists Cameron Nunez and Louie Baltazar, and drummer Jacob Koval. The band originated in the Central Valley hardcore punk music scene, later signing to Blue Swan Records and releasing a split with post-hardcore band Adventurer in May 2016 and their debut studio album, Everything Is Going Grey, in October 2017.

<i>Theres a Place I Want to Take You</i> 2019 studio album by Kurt Travis

There’s A Place I Want To Take You is the second studio album by American recording artist Kurt Travis, released on May 17, 2019, through Blue Swan Records and his own label, Esque Records. It also serves as a follow-up to his debut studio album, Everything Is Beautiful (2014). The album's lyrical content deals with heartbreak and emotional turmoil while, sonically, Travis pursued folk-inspired songwriting, using elements of indie rock, electronica, dream pop, and power pop. It was produced by Mike Watts and recorded at VuDu Recording Studios in Port Jefferson, New York and features a guest appearance from singer-rapper Andrés on two tracks.

<i>Compassion</i> (Royal Coda album) 2019 studio album by Royal Coda

Compassion is the second full-length studio album by American post-hardcore band Royal Coda. It was released on November 7, 2019, on Blue Swan Records, and serves as a follow-up to their self-titled debut studio album. It is the band's first album to feature guitarist Will Swan and was produced by Kris Crummett.

<i>Afterburner</i> (Dance Gavin Dance album) 2020 studio album by Dance Gavin Dance

Afterburner is the ninth full-length studio album by American rock band Dance Gavin Dance. Released on April 24, 2020, on Rise Records, the album serves as a follow-up to the group's eighth studio album, Artificial Selection (2018). Recording sessions for the album took place over a three-month period between August and October 2019 with producer Kris Crummett at Interlace Audio in Portland, Oregon, while the vocals were recorded with producer Drew Fulk in Los Angeles, California. The album is considered a musical progression for the band, as the group experimented with funk, Latin, rap, and metalcore which accompanied their post-hardcore and experimental rock styles. It is the group's final studio album to be released during bass guitarist Tim Feerick's lifetime before his death in April 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance Gavin Dance discography</span>

The American post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance has released ten studio albums, three live albums, one extended play, 45 singles, 26 music videos, one remastered album, and 9 instrumental albums. The band was formed in Sacramento, California in 2005 by guitarist Will Swan, drummer Matt Mingus, and bassist Eric Lodge. Unclean vocalist Jon Mess and clean vocalist Jonny Craig were recruited shortly after. They self-released their debut EP, Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean, that year, and re-released the EP in 2006 after signing to Rise Records. Their debut studio album, Downtown Battle Mountain, was released May 15, 2007 on Rise.

Secret Band is an American post-hardcore band from Sacramento, California, formed in 2011. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Jon Mess, drummer Matthew Mingus, lead guitarist Will Swan, bass guitarist Jordan McCoy, and rhythm guitarist Martin Bianchini.

<i>The Architect</i> (Eidola album) 2021 studio album by Eidola

The Architect is the fourth full-length studio album by American rock band Eidola, released on September 17, 2021 through Blue Swan Records and Rise Records. The album serves as a follow-up to their third studio album, To Speak, To Listen (2017), and is their first to not feature rhythm guitarist Brandon Bascom, who departed from the band in December 2017 and was replaced by Royal Coda guitarist Sergio Medina. It is also the band's first release since their record label Blue Swan Records partnered with Rise in February 2021. The album was produced by Ian Cooperstein and Kris Crummett with recording sessions taking place at Interlace Audio in Portland, Oregon.

<i>Gold Necklace</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Gold Necklace

Gold Necklace is the self-titled debut studio album by American progressive rock duo Gold Necklace, composed of American musicians Kurt Travis (vocals) and Brandon Ewing. The album was released on November 12, 2021 through the independent record label Kill Iconic Records, a label owned by Hail the Sun frontman Donovan Melero. Produced by Josh Benton, the album was written and recorded at Pus Cavern Studios in Sacramento, California between March and July 2021. Joseph Arrington wrote, performed, and recorded drums for the album. Gold Necklace is a progressive rock and jazz-fusion album with influences of funk, soul, R&B, and jazz.

<i>Jackpot Juicer</i> 2022 studio album by Dance Gavin Dance

Jackpot Juicer is the tenth full-length studio album by American rock band Dance Gavin Dance, released on July 29, 2022, on Rise Records. It serves as the follow-up to their ninth studio album, Afterburner (2020). Produced by Kris Crummett, the album was recorded at Interlace Audio in Portland, Oregon, between April and July 2021 and is the band's longest album to date consisting of eighteen tracks and a runtime of one hour and three minutes. It is the band's first studio album to be credited as a sextet since Acceptance Speech (2013) as well as their first to feature Andrew Wells as an official member since joining as a touring guitarist in 2015. It is also their final release to feature bassist Tim Feerick, who died on April 13, 2022, and vocalist Tilian Pearson, who left the band in April 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "Facebook - confirmed account, William Swan". Facebook . Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  2. ↑ Swan, Will [@therealwillswan] (December 4, 2015). "Tampa! Tomorrow is my birthday! Come out and kill me with alcohol" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2022– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ "Blue Swan Records". Last.fm. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Blue Swan Records". Blueswanrecords.com. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  5. ↑ Swan, Will [@therealwillswan] (April 1, 2014). "@NDeeDeaux Black/Mexican" (Tweet). Retrieved December 3, 2022– via Twitter.
  6. 1 2 "Career Spotlight: Will Swan (Blue Swan Records)". Killthemusic.net. September 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Green Day World Tour 2019". greendayauthority.com.
  8. ↑ "SoundClick artist: Farewell Unknown – Sacramento local emo/indie/pop band". Soundclick.com. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  9. ↑ "The 40 Day Fake Out". AllMusic . Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Scout Bar". Scoutbar.com. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Dance Gavin Dance". Billboard . Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Dance Gavin Dance announce 10-year anniversary tour with Slaves, A Lot Like Birds, others". Alternative Press. September 17, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Cover Photos – Dance Gavin Dance". Facebook . Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Dance Gavin Dance Announce New Album Afterburner". Kerrang.com. February 24, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Dance Gavin Dance announce 'Afterburner' + release "Prisoner"". Substreammagazine.com. February 21, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Tree City Sessions 2 by Dance Gavin Dance". December 25, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  17. ↑ "Dance Gavin Dance Announce 'Tree City Sessions 2′ Streaming Event Plus Live Album / The NOISE". Bringthenoise.com.
  18. ↑ "Synergy (Feat. Rob Damiani) - Single by Dance Gavin Dance". March 24, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  19. ↑ "Secret Band EP – Secret Band". Secretband.bandcamp.com. June 3, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Sick Machine – Sianvar". Sianvar.bandcamp.com. November 8, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Sianvar EP – Sianvar". Sianvar.bandcamp.com. January 5, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Stay Lost, by Sianvar". Sianvar.bandcamp.com.
  23. ↑ "Dance Gavin Dance Guitarist Will Swan Has Joined Another New Band / The NOISE". Bringthenoise.com.
  24. ↑ "Compassion, by Royal Coda". Royalcoda.bandcamp.com.
  25. ↑ "Hail the Sun announce North American headlining tour". Alternative Press . June 4, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Royal Coda | Dance Gavin Dance guitarist Will Swan has joined ex-DGD frontman Kurt Travis in a new group called Royal Coda. Their brand new album 'Compassion' is out... | By Dance Gavin Dance". Facebook.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  27. ↑ Royal Coda [@RoyalCoda] (July 6, 2022). "Welcome to the next chapter. https://t.co/OwgB0dWVVV Our new album "To Only A Few At First" is out on August 12th. Pre-order at https://t.co/wyEgLZBQe7 Enjoy our two new songs "We Slowly Lose Hope for Things To Come" & "Screen Time Overload" out now! https://t.co/L75jXwo9Ap https://t.co/49rfIMxFkR" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022– via Twitter.
  28. ↑ Royal Coda [@RoyalCoda] (June 27, 2022). "https://t.co/OZaPOMUmw5" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022– via Twitter.
  29. ↑ Dowd, Rachael (February 18, 2021). "Blue Swan Records partners with Rise Records/BMG". Alternative Press. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Sianvar - Sianvar LP tracking is done. (Not pictured Mikey and Joe. They're at A Lot Like Birds rehearsals)". Facebook.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Compassion by Royal Coda". November 7, 2019 – via Apple Music.
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