Indian American Folkster Swati Shows Her Guitar Virtuosity on Small Gods

Swati has release her new album, Small Gods, (Bluhammock, 2007) this month. Simultaneously percussive and dreamy, revealing elements of her Indian heritage, Swati uses a twelve string guitar fitted with eight strings, employs open tunings ala Joni Mitchell and sings what she knows. The result is a remarkable debut that resonates with muscle and truth.

A native New Yorker, Swati was raised on a vibrant and eclectic music scene, debuted at Carnegie Hall playing the trombone, recorded a demo with Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band, Morrissey), and became a stalwart at New York musical haunts like the Living Room and Nightingale’s. The excitement and buzz led to a spot playing on the Lillith Fair tour. And then Swati quietly walked away from it all. Soul searching inevitably led Swati back to music, and she was soon at Allaire Studios in upstate New York, with producer Duke McVinnie (songwriter/guitarist with Shivaree), and producer/engineer Brandon Mason (David Bowie, The Secret Machines) recording the songs that would eventually become Small Gods.

The debut echoes with Swati’s sprawling vocals, honest and gritty in one moment, lost and hushed in the next. Edgy guitar riffs that are distinctly New York and the mellifluous sound of her signature acoustic-electric 12 string emit a powerhouse of sound. Swati’s virtuosity melds effortlessly with her voice that sweetly rips through all the beauty, to tell it like it is.

Swati on Tour

TH 5.3.07 Bearsville Theater – Woodstock, NY 9:00 pm
Opening for Tim Reynolds

FR 5.4.07 Southpaw – Brooklyn NY 8:00 pm
Benefit for FIERCE! Organizing and empowering NYC’s queer youth of color. Multi bill with Toshi Reagon, DLo, Skim Skima, DJ Tikka Masala and friends

SU 5.6.07 Parkfest ’07 (SUNY) – Schodack, NY 3:00 pm
Festival at Birch Hill Country Club

TH 5.17.07 Non Comvention – Louisville, KY TIME TBD
Bluhammock Label Showcase

FR 5.18.07 Non Comvention – Louisville, KY TIME TBD
Bluhammock Label Showcase

FR 6.8.07 Newport Film Festival – Newport, RI 5:30 pm
Bluhammock Filmaker’s Lounge

Buy Small Gods.

Author: World Music Central News Room

World music news from the editors at World Music Central

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