While Glenn Milchem is probably best known as Blue Rodeo’s drummer, he has also spent the past decade recording and performing as The Swallows with an evolving cast of collaborators.
Now set to release Demystified, the fourth album to bear The Swallows name, Milchem took a truly DIY approach to recording and, apart from guest appearances by keyboard player Bob Packwood and singer Julie Fader, performed every note on the record.
The choice to work (mostly) alone on this record gave Milchem the freedom to do whatever he wanted, including lay down some Gang of Four-style dance rhythms on Shoot Out Sparks, a love song more suited for the dance floor than a romantic evening by the fire. While this is a sharp turn from the work he does with Blue Rodeo, it harks back to Milchem’s days drumming for Vital Sines, a band central to Queen St. West’s 80s post-punk scene.
Demystified will be released on March 1 on Milchem’s own Magnetic Angel Recordings label (and distributed via Outside Music). To celebrate, The Swallows play a rare show at The Piston two nights later on March 3.
In the meantime, download Shoot Out Sparks here.
