September 16, 2024
Sneaky Flute Empire is pleased to announce the very first ever vinyl release of Swirlies’ 2003 “Cats of The Wild, Volume 2” LP! It'll be available first as a tour exclusive during our run of Central/Pacific US shows (starting Halloween 2024).
“Cats” was originally released on CD in April 2003 by Bubble Core Records (BC-040), drummer Adam Pierce's label. The current vinyl release, on Sneaky Flute Empire and Richmond County Archives, was pressed at Blue Sprocket Pressing (RIP) in limited run of 300 on black vinyl. Additional details are here. "Cats" will also soon be available on streaming services and Bandcamp -check back here for details.
To celebrate, we’ve teamed up with Slide Away and Great American Music Hall to give away a copy of the Cats LP & a pair of tickets to our Friday November 8, 2024 show at Great American Music Hall (San Francisco, CA) w/ Lovesliescrushing, Launder, and Young Prisms! Check out our Instagram page to enter.
Tickets are still available for our Oct/Nov 2024 shows:
Thursday October 31: Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves w/ Trauma Ray and New Fumes
Friday November 1: LEVITATION (Austin, TX) @ Parish w/ Trauma Ray and Witches Exist
Saturday November 2: Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village w/ Astrobrite
Monday November 4: Portland, OR @ Mission Theater w/ Launder
Tuesday November 5: Seattle, WA @ Vera Project w/ Launder
Thursday November 7: Sacramento, CA @ Starlet Room w/ Launder
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June 28, 2024
As of today at 10am local time (wherever you may be) tickets are on general sale for our Oct/Nov 2024 shows - here you go:
Thursday October 31: Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves w/ Trauma Ray and New Fumes
Friday November 1: LEVITATION (Austin, TX) @ Parish w/ Trauma Ray and Witches Exist
Saturday November 2: Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village w/ Astrobrite
Monday November 4: Portland, OR @ Mission Theater w/ Launder
Tuesday November 5: Seattle, WA @ Vera Project w/ Launder
Thursday November 7: Sacramento, CA @ Starlet Room w/ Launder
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June 27, 2024
Happy to announce that we're headed to LEVITATION (Austin), playing at Parish with Trauma Ray + Witches Exist on Nov 1! Tickets are on sale now here and here.
Also the presales for our LA, SF, and Portland shows will all end today at 10p Pacific, with general sales starting tomorrow at 10a local time - read on:
Thursday October 31: Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves w/ Trauma Ray and New Fumes
Friday November 1: LEVITATION (Austin, TX) @ Parish w/ Trauma Ray and Witches Exist
Saturday November 2: Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village w/ Astrobrite
Tuesday November 5: Seattle, WA @ Vera Project w/ Launder
Thursday November 7: Sacramento, CA @ Starlet Room w/ Launder
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June 24, 2024
Hey all - we will be playing some shows from 31 October to 9 November 2024, including a special Slide Away Presents show in SF and the And Always Forever fest in LA! Tickets on sale this Friday June 28 (except presales where noted). Here are the dates & links:
Thursday October 31: Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves w/ Trauma Ray and New Fumes
Friday November 1: Austin, TX @ TBA
Saturday November 2: Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village w/ Astrobrite
Tuesday November 5: Seattle, WA @ Vera Project w/ Launder
Thursday November 7: Sacramento, CA @ Starlet Room w/ Launder
All presales end Thu 6/27 at 10pm Pacific, general on sale starts Fri 6/28 at 10am local time
See you there!
[Raw Bell forever]
May 29, 2024
Our friend Jim Laakso, younger brother of Rob, has passed on. Among many things, Jim was a delightful and thoughtful guy, a fellow fan of Luis Tiant, a wickedly funny writer, and a former member of Svampen (with Damon, Landon, and Deb). The last time I saw him in person was April 15, 2001, when Swirlies played a free show at Yale's Women Center. Jim brought Rob and me to see an enormous pipe organ on campus. I'll always remember the tremendous sound it made, and how fortunate I felt to be in the company of these two special people. - A B.
Here is Jim's obituary from Fitchburg's fine newspaper, the Sentinel and Enterprise:
James Matthew Laakso, 43, passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife and parents at his side at his home in Redwood City, CA, on May 16, 2024. During his four-year battle with advanced metastatic GI cancer, Jimmy embodied the Finnish trait of “Sisu,” showing extraordinary will, determination and perseverance. He was a walking miracle, as he continually exceeded the expectations of his care team.Born in Framingham, MA, on December 22, 1980, to Charline and Lenny Laakso, Jimmy was a proud 1999 graduate of Fitchburg High School where he was awarded the General Excellence Prize. He was also a 2003 graduate of Yale University, serving as managing editor of the Yale Herald. After graduation, he lived in Brooklyn, NY, where he worked in human resources for DE Shaw Research and in the legal department for New York Daily News as well as US News and World Report. Jimmy met his wife Sarah Guido on his birthday in 2009, and they were married on Sept. 13, 2014, in upstate NY. In 2018, Jimmy was recruited to an asset management firm in the Bay Area of California and continued working in the legal field as a manager of legal operations.Jimmy never forgot his Fitchburg roots and was a generous contributor to Fitchburg High School, Crocker Field, Fitchburg Public Library and Finnish Center at Saima Park. He loved visiting central Massachusetts every year to visit with family and spend time having a sauna at the family camp at Vinton Pond.Jimmy was a lover of music and a serious collector of vinyl records, amassing a collection of thousands. He also enjoyed reading, playing drums, collecting baseball cards, researching shipwrecks and performing random acts of kindness, even as simple as leaving a large tip. Jimmy will be remembered for his extraordinary wit and humor which could even appear in the darkest moments.Jimmy was predeceased by his brother, Robert Laakso. He will be dearly missed by his wife Sarah Guido; parents Charline and Lenny Laakso; sister-in-law Mamie Claire Cornelius; brother Thomas Laakso and his wife Alexandra; sister Christine Shaw and her husband Philip; and Sarah Laakso and her husband Colin. He will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews, his extended family, the many friends he made near and far, and his beloved cat, ‘Sisu.’The family will hold a celebration of life to honor Jimmy at a later date.Jimmy hoped that people will consider donating to the Alumni Association of Fitchburg High School (P.O. Box 906; Fitchburg, MA 01420) or the Happy Lungs Project (3209 Sunny Lane; Austin, TX 78731).
February 21, 2024
Our East Coast, Even Year shows are fast approaching. As of today, DC and Philadelphia are sold out but you can find tickets to our March 7 show in Norfolk, VA here!
Music and threads remain available too:
T-shirts and LPs at: HTTPS://SWIRLIES.BIGCARTEL.COMDownloads at: HTTPS://SWIRLIES.BANDCAMP.COM
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December 12, 2023
We'll also be playing two additional strictly East Coast, Even Year shows before SLIDE AWAY in Philadelphia. You can find tickets here:
Thursday March 7, 2024: Norfolk, Virginia at Chicho's Pizza Backstage w/ You're Jovian
Friday March 8, 2024: Washington, DC at Songbyrd w/ Light Beams
Music and threads remain available at the following locations, though we'll have some things with us at the shows too.
T-Shirts at: HTTPS://SWIRLIES.BIGCARTEL.COMMusic at: HTTPS://SWIRLIES.BANDCAMP.COM
[Raw Bell forever]
December 3,2023
We're playing a rare Even Year show on March 9, 2024: SLIDE AWAY in Philadelphia! Tickets are on sale here.
[Raw Bell forever]
October 1, 2023
Thanks to all who came out to our Odd Year #6 shows this past July - it was nice to see all of you. For those of you who are in the market for a real Swirlies shirt (not these cheap knock-offs you see floating around), we made some after the tour & you can find them here. Hope to see you out in the world in 2024 for some even-year nonsense!
[Raw Bell forever]
June 12, 2023
Pleased to announce that we'll be joined by Frankie Rose on our July shows (except Nice, a fest) and that the NYC show at Le Poisson Rouge will include w0rmh0les (Salons-era Swirlie Christina Files) and DJ sets by Nothing. You can find tickets here:
Wednesday July 19: Portland, Maine – SPACE w/ Frankie Rose
Thursday July 20: Easthampton, Massachusetts – Daily Operation w/ Frankie Rose
Saturday July 22: Hamden, Connecticut – Space Ballroom w/ Frankie Rose
See you there!
[Raw Bell forever]
May 8, 2023
IN MEMORIAM: Rob Laakso passed away on May 4, 2023. We met a teenage Rob at Phillips Hall in Fitchburg (October 29, 1995). That smile and those soft eyes, like Moxie in human form. We danced on tabletops as Rob stood below and laughed. Later, when we wanted to take him on tour with us (on drums!), his parents said absolutely not; he was too young to go to NYC, and besides, he had to finish his senior year of high school. Damon did some recordings with the Wicked Farleys in 1996, and then Rob finally joined the Swirlies (on guitar!) in early 1997.
We called him "Doc" (originally Dr. Bobby Laasoko) because he had a way of fixing bad situations and making right everything that was wrong. In the end, he couldn't fix himself, but he still touched so many of us with his beautiful, positive soul. We miss you terribly little brother - thank you for our time together and for all the wonderful experiences you've shared with us. We hope wherever you are, you are playing ‘Do the Ostrich’ far, far longer than anyone ever should and smiling down on us through it all.
Please consider donating to Rob's family at https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-rob-laakso-and-family
Here is Rob's obituary from Fitchburg's fine newspaper, the Sentinel and Enterprise:
Robert Daniel Laakso, 44, passed away peacefully at his Fitchburg home on May 4, 2023, in the presence of family after a two-year battle with stage IV Cholangiocarcinoma. Born in Framingham, MA, on April 16, 1979, Rob was a 1997 graduate of Fitchburg High School and a 2001 graduate of Emerson College, where he completed his degree in audio engineering. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist focused on guitars and synthesizers, Rob formed "math rock" band The Wicked Farleys with classmates while attending Fitchburg High School, and went on to release two albums and tour widely with the group. Rob continued to pursue his multi-faceted musical ambitions for the rest of his life, playing and touring internationally with bands including Swirlies, Diamond Nights and Amazing Baby. For the last decade, he primarily recorded, produced and performed with group Kurt Vile and The Violators. He was also a respected engineer and producer in his own right, contributing to numerous studio projects, as well as creating original compositions for advertisements. Rob received his first guitar from his parents at age 11 after previously learning the drums, quickly developing his technique and a fascination with rare and unique guitars, guitar pedals, synthesizers, and bass guitars. With this intricate gear expertise, which, much like his skilled playing, Rob seemed to come by innately, he was well-known for guiding his colleagues in acquiring the perfect item no matter how obscure, for their next project or for their collection. Rob was a dedicated father and husband, greeting his wife with coffee every morning and, though his tours would take him far away from home, he would always return with plans to introduce his children to those places. No matter how late he was in the studio recording the night before, and throughout his chemotherapy, he never missed a chance for early morning activities with his children. In particular, he loved creating family memories at his favorite retreat, his family's camp, where he spent much time with his siblings and cousins while growing up, and where he and his wife were married in 2012. Pairing his love of family and music, his final musical project centered around his solo work under the name Raw Bell, where he was pleased to involve his wife, whom he taught how to play bass shortly before the first show, and his childhood friend, Ken Bernard, also of The Wicked Farleys, on drums. Together they played several live shows in winter 2022 and were scheduled to open for Swirlies this summer along the east coast. Rob will be missed by his wife, Mamie-Claire; his children, Gus and Lou; his parents, Lenny and Charline; his siblings and their spouses, Jim and Sarah, Tom and Alex, Christine and Phil and Sarah and Colin; as well as his extended family and the many friends he made near and far. The family will hold a private celebration of life for him at a later date. Contributions in support of his children may be made via GoFundMe, or please consider making a donation to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation in efforts to accelerate research for a cure. The family would like to encourage all to listen to their bodies and stay up to date on routine check-ups. Early detection prolonged Rob's life and can be the utmost factor in healing. Please connect with loved ones while you can, lift others up and let them lift you up, too; rest at night with peace on how you spent your day and a dream in your heart for tomorrow. Rob genuinely loved life and made the most each day he was given, and it is his family's hope that this will serve as a positive example to his children and all who knew him.
April 14, 2023
Tickets to our July shows will all be on sale by 10am today (though presales are available now in Portland (promo code SNEAKYFLUTEMUSIC) and NYC (promo code PANCAKE):
Wednesday July 19: Portland, Maine – SPACE w/ Raw Bell
Thursday July 20: Easthampton, Massachusetts – Daily Operation w/ Raw Bell
Saturday July 22: Hamden, Connecticut – Space Ballroom w/ Raw Bell
Sunday July 23: New York City, New York – Le Poisson Rouge w/ Raw Bell
See you there!
April 10, 2023 (11:11am)
Greetings - Swirlies are playing five odd-year shows in summer 2023 with a Damon-Adam-Elliott-Deb-Andy-and-sometimes-Rob arrangement. Two spaces, two ballrooms, a restaurant, and a red fish - ticket sales via the links below. All shows are with longtime Swirlie Rob Laakso's rippin' new band Raw Bell! All shows are all ages!
Wednesday July 19: Portland, Maine – SPACE w/ Raw Bell ON SALE FRI 4/14
Thursday July 20: Easthampton, Massachusetts – Daily Operation w/ Raw Bell ON SALE NOW
Friday July 21: Somerville, Massachusetts – Crystal Ballroom for Nice, a fest! w/ Raw Bell and many others! ON SALE NOW
Saturday July 22: Hamden, Connecticut – Space Ballroom w/ Raw Bell ON SALE FRI 4/14
Sunday July 23: New York City, New York – Le Poisson Rouge w/ Raw Bell ON SALE FRI 4/14
Keep up to date mostly over in these places: Instagram and Facebook and occasionally right here. And while we shall not see you on The Spit on the 4th of July, we shall see you in Somerville on the 21st of July.
April 6, 2023
Hello all - some news is coming soon! We're not always updating this archaic, text-only news area but are more active on Instagram, Facebook, rarely on Tumblr, somewhat exist on Twitter, and even (ridiculously) on TikTok.
November 11, 2022 (File under: Swirlies-adjacent)
Hi everyone! There are a few copies left of A B's vinyl-only "South Shore" LP (RCA023), and you can get one for $16 (+ shipping) via the Richmond County Archives store. You can also find it digitally on Bandcamp! All proceeds from the last physical copies will be donated to the Thomas Crane Public Library (Quincy, MA). Many thanks to Jack Bryant, Rob Laakso, Sarah Register, Carl Rowatti, Mark Gleason, and Furnace Record Pressing (Alexandria, VA) for helping make this Quincy time capsule + to all who have ordered (and thus supported various charities) over the past 1.5 years.
July 27, 2021
Today is the 20th anniversary of the first Richmond County Archives release: the "Nevah Have I Evah: A Sneaky Flute Family Album" CD (RCA001). It contains 34 tracks of weirdness, including several rare Swirlies demos, songs, and precursors & many songs and thoughts from our extended family. We found 14 copies recently, and you can get one for $20 via the Richmond County Archives store. Every CD comes with a free copy of A B's vinyl-only "South Shore" LP (RCA023). All proceeds will be donated to the Quincy Historical Society in Quincy, MA.
February 5, 2021
Hello all. The long out-of-print Swirlies release "Damon Andy Rob Ron: The Yes Girls" release is now available on Bandcamp, along with a bunch of other releases. Also, A B's vinyl-only "South Shore" LP (RCA023) is still available via the Richmond County Archives store. All proceeds from "South Shore" sales in February and March 2021 will go to Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc.
January 1, 2021
Happy New Year! Just wanted to let you know that any Swirlies releases or merch will now be sold via Bandcamp. Also, A B's "South Shore" lp (RCA023) is still available via the Richmond County Archives store. Contact A B at AB@rcarchives.com for more information.
November 11, 2020 (11:11AM)
One of us has a new vinyl-only release out today: A B's "South Shore" lp (RCA023) is available via the Richmond County Archives store. For more information about this release, or if you're a radio station interested in a copy for rotation, contact A B at AB@rcarchives.com. And check out the other Richmond County Archives releases (free digital downloads) at http://rcarchives.com.
November 4, 2020
On Friday November 6, we'll be putting up the first four Swirlies' Magic Strop releases on Bandcamp. These include "At The Salon of WBCN" (2005, a live radio broadcast from 1995), "Winsome Zamula's Hammer Of Contumely" (2005, a live radio broadcast from 2000), "Gavin's March to the Sea" (2009, a live show at Brownies in 1996), and "Orca Vs. Dragon" (2013, a "live" radio session recorded in 1993 - and released as a 7" in 2015). Enjoy!
May 1, 2020
We've finally put the "Cats Of The Wild Volume 2" (2003) record up on Bandcamp. It will be up on streaming services when Damon gets around to it -- maybe later this year? Some talk of doing a vinyl edition as well...someday. Stay safe, sneakyfluters!
February 12, 2019
Hey -- there are some copies of the "Swirlies' Magic Strop: Tonight..." 12" EP and a few Strop t-shirts (same design as the EP) available at our store - the "Tonight..." EP is also on Bandcamp.
September 23, 2018
Tour is underway! Ticket links in the post below for you last-minute types. We also released a new record today: "Swirlies' Magic Strop: Tonight..." (Sneaky Flute Empire 017/Richmond County Archives 022).
It includes five tracks from a Part Time Punks radio session recorded in August 2017 and a new song "Fantastic Trumpets Forever" -- an early version appeared as part of the 2016 Joyful Noise Flexi Disc series.
After tour, we'll have any leftover copies of the record and t-shirts available through our store. A digital version of "Tonight..." is currently available on our new Bandcamp page.
July 24, 2018
Some last opener adds (New Boss in Richmond! Reptile Tile in Norfolk!) and ticket links for you:
Sept 23: Nashville, TN – The High Watt w/ Idle Bloom & Mouth Reader
Sept 25: Dallas, TX – Club Dada w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 26: Austin, TX – Mohawk w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 27: Houston, TX – Secret Group w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 29: Atlanta, GA – Masquerade w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 30: Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Oct 1: Norfolk, VA – Charlie's American Cafe w/ Reptile Tile & Long Division
Oct 2: Richmond, VA – Strange Matter w/ Large Margin & New Boss
Oct 3: Baltimore, MD – Ottobar w/ Raindeer
Oct 4: Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom w/ Landing
Oct 5: Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Oct 6: Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Oct 7: Boston, MA – The Sinclair w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
July 5, 2018
Cats of The Wild: Volume 2, the Swirlies' Magic Strop series, and some other unmentionables will be available via Bandcamp soon.
Also, here are some updates on the September/October 2018 shows:
Sept 23: Nashville, TN – The High Watt w/ Idle Bloom & Mouth Reader
Sept 25: Dallas, TX – Club Dada w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 26: Austin, TX – Mohawk w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 27: Houston, TX – Secret Group w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 29: Atlanta, GA – Masquerade w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 30: Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Oct 1: Norfolk, VA – Charlie's American Cafe w/ TBA
Oct 2: Richmond, VA – Strange Matter w/ Large Margin & TBA
Oct 3: Baltimore, MD – Ottobar w/ Raindeer
Oct 4: Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom w/ Landing
Oct 5: Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Oct 6: Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Oct 7: Boston, MA – The Sinclair w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
We don't have much for merch these days (just a few original pressings of the Salons/Strictly double LP at our store), but we should have some shiny new things for the road this fall.
June 5, 2018
We're eschewing our odd-year fixation and heading out in support of NOTHING this September/October (Dallas to Boston), with a few headlining shows mixed in:
Sept 23: Nashville, TN – The High Watt w/ TBA
Sept 25: Dallas, TX – Club Dada w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 26: Austin, TX – Mohawk w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 27: Houston, TX – Secret Group w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 29: Atlanta, GA – Masquerade w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Sept 30: Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Oct 1: Norfolk, VA – Charlie's American Cafe w/ TBA
Oct 2: Richmond, VA – Strange Matter w/ TBA
Oct 3: Baltimore, MD – Ottobar w/ TBA
Oct 4: Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom w/ TBA
Oct 5: Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Oct 6: Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
Oct 7: Boston, MA – The Sinclair w/ NOTHING, Big Bite, & Smut
This iteration of the band will be Damon, Adam, Deb, Elliott, and new conscript Wesley Bunch (replacing Andy).
January 23, 2018
Hey you -- would you like a few stickers? Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (standard letter sized) to:
Sneaky Flute Empire - Alexandria Branch
c/o XXXX
XXXX
XXXXX
January 18, 2018
We hear the finishing touches are being put on the Part Time Punks "live" session we recorded in August 2017. Thanks Josiah, Claire, and Michael!
August 17, 2017
Thank you to all you strictly westcoasters for coming and helping us avoid the full brunt of the curse. Can't be many more of these left for us, so every one is precious. Today, in no particular order, we celebrate our love for: Dan Gonzales (our stalwart sound engineer and manipulator), our every night tour mates and gear loaners Cruel Summer (Josh, Thea, Chani, and Andy), Mahmood & the Flowerbooking crew, Daniel Gill (Force Field PR), Aaron Sainz, Ron Rege Jr., Ph.D., Tim Leanse and Sam Rowell, Carl Bicknell and Tamar Dunn, Stefan Gruber and Vida Rose, Ashley Proffitt (for lots, lots, and lots of running around), Kahn and Keville Brakes/Tires in SF (for a quick rear brake replacement), Cortez Auto Glass in LA, Michael Stock (Part Time Punks) - thank you for everything, Stephanie Escoto (The Chapel SF) -- good luck with your grindcore band Horrendous Melanoma!, Claire Morison (an LA engineer with the patience of a saint), Jazzy Jessica of SD, Janice Headley (KEXP), Bedrock LA, Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack, Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner, Rudi R, Kris Wilcox for the impromptu tour of Bellingham, Jen Gay for the bass amp, Frank's Mom, DJ Jon Blaj, Witness 9, Winter (and Alex Gehring for suggesting them), Homebodys, Tennis System, Alms, Electro Group, Tender Age, and All Over Me. And Sari Kapel for taking a really nice photo of us and Cruel Summer on the last day of tour. Any omissions are our fault, and we'll probably add you once our old brains readjust to normal life.
Oh yeah - we have shirts available for preorder here.
July 2, 2017
Only a month until tour -- ticket links below!
thu 8/3 san diego, ca @ space - w/ cruel summer, witness 9, and dj jon blaj
fri 8/4 visalia, ca @ cellar door - w/ cruel summer
sat 8/5 las vegas, nv @ beauty bar - w/ cruel summer, winter, and homebodys
sun 8/6 los angeles, ca @ the echo - w/ cruel summer and tennis system
mon 8/7 santa cruz, ca @ catalyst atrium - w/ cruel summer and alms
tue 8/8 san francisco, ca @ the chapel - w/ cruel summer and electro group
thu 8/10 portland, or @ doug fir lounge - w/ cruel summer and tender age
fri 8/11 seattle, wa @ barboza - w/ cruel summer
sat 8/12 bellingham, wa @ the shakedown - w/ cruel summer and all over me
May 29, 2017
Here are the final 2017 tour dates - see you out there!
thu 8/3 san diego, ca @ space (formerly known as the hideout) - with cruel summer, witness 9, and dj jon blaj
fri 8/4 visalia, ca @ cellar door - with cruel summer
sat 8/5 las vegas, nv @ beauty bar - with cruel summer, winter, and homebodys
sun 8/6 los angeles, ca @ the echo - with cruel summer and tennis system
mon 8/7 santa cruz, ca @ catalyst atrium - with cruel summer and alms
tue 8/8 san francisco, ca @ the chapel - with cruel summer and electro group
thu 8/10 portland, or @ doug fir lounge - with cruel summer and tender age
fri 8/11 seattle, wa @ barboza - with cruel summer
sat 8/12 bellingham, wa @ the shakedown - with cruel summer and TBA
May 1, 2017
Hey all -- the odd-year skein goes unbroken. We'll be playing some strictly west coast sneaky flute music this summer:
thu 8/3 san diego, ca @ space (formerly known as the hideout)
fri 8/4 visalia, ca @ cellar door
sat 8/5 las vegas, nv @ beauty bar
sun 8/6 los angeles, ca @ the echo
mon 8/7 TBA
tue 8/8 san francisco, ca @ the chapel
thu 8/10 portland, or @ doug fir lounge
fri 8/11 seattle, wa @ barboza
sat 8/12 TBA
More info soon - in the meantime:
Instagram Facebook Twitter TumblrFebruary 1, 2017
We're out of copies of the new Blondertongue Audiobaton LP vinyl reissue, and don't plan on ordering more from our old label for now (and if you order online from them, you'll learn why.) Why not support your local record store and buy it there? However, we've uncovered a few more original copies of the Strictly/Salons double LP, and still have some shirts left - both available via our little store. We hope to continue our string of odd-year shows somewhere in the US in 2017, but no word yet on that. It's been a jarring first month of the new year, and promises to continue in that vein for some time. Stay strong!
November 3, 2016
Our special version of the new Blondertongue Audiobaton LP vinyl reissue sold out quickly - hope to have more in January 2017. There are a few Rege-design shirts left and other things available on our store site.
November 2, 2016
Greetings all! We're offering a special version of the new Blondertongue Audiobaton LP vinyl reissue - see our store for details! There are new Rege-design shirts up there as well. Lastly, if we're able to follow our odd-year touring convention in 2017, we'll be announcing tour dates here and here.
July 26, 2016
For those 1,000 of you who signed up for Joyful Noise Recordings's 2016 Flexi Disc Series, our new song "Fantastic Trumpets Forever" will be the July release and should be on the way. We don't have any to sell, but here are the liner notes: this is swirlies number thirty one. july 2016. for this recording damon tutunjian andy bernick deb warfield viktor höber anna bergvall sang and played guitar bass drums tapes crumar orchestrator yamaha ps-03. recorded and mixed by damon at the sneakyflute empire world headquarters malmö sweden march through may 2016. drum room provided by plan b malmö courtesy of carlo and viktor art by ron rege jr. side only: “fantastic trumpets forever”
January 5, 2016
Hey all -- pleased to announce a new (!) Swirlies track will be part of Joyful Noise Recordings' 2016 flexi series (also featuring tracks by Thurston Moore, Ought, a cat named Lil Bub, and others). Sign up for the series here. Read a non-Zamula-penned article about it here. With any luck, this will not be our only contribution in the Year of The Chimp...
December 1, 2015
There's a new Swirlies merch page here, right in time for the holidays - check it out!
October 7, 2015
We still have a few things left on our merch page - some t-shirts (small & a few mediums), our most recent 7", original cassette releases of What To Do About Them, Blondertongue Audiobaton, and Brokedick Car releases, and the original 1998 vinyl pressing of our Salons/Strictly East Coast double LP.
August 29, 2015
You can now order t-shirts, our most recent 7", and the original 1998 pressing of our Salons/Strictly East Coast double LP on our merch page -- coming soon: a special cassette offering!
August 4, 2015
Thanks to all who came out to see us last month during the Silver Ostrich Anniversary - it felt really good to be back together. Big thanks to Mahmood, Brianna, and Natasha at Flowerbooking for setting up the shows. For those of you who placed orders for t-shirts during the tour, we'll be getting them to you this month.
June 25, 2015
We'll be hitting the bricks soon for the Silver Ostrich Anniversary -- see you out there!
You can keep up with our progress (and the relative success/failure of THE CURSE) by way of:
Facebook Instagram Twitter TumblrJune 24, 2015
Less than a month until Swirlies' Silver Ostrich Anniversary shows! Here are the lineups to date:
wed july 1 hudson, ny @ the half moon with BREAKFAST IN FUR / tix/info thu july 2 philadelphia, pa @ johnny brenda’s with SUBURBAN LIVING and THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE / tix/info fri july 3 allston, ma @ great scott with KUDGEL / tix/info sat july 4 brooklyn, ny @ silent barn with KRILL and ADVAETA / tix/info sun july 5 brooklyn, ny @ baby’s all right with KUDGEL, LACED, DJ NING NONG/ tix/info mon july 6 washington, dc @ black cat backstage with BIG HUSH / tix/info tue july 7 baltimore, md @ ottobar with CREEPOID and WING DAM / tix/info wed july 8 carrboro, nc @ cat's cradle backroom with CREEPOID and WAILIN' STORMS / tix/info thu july 9 atlanta, ga @ the earl with CREEPOID and EUREKA CALIFORNIA / tix/info fri july 10 cincinnati, oh @ motr with TBA (free show) / info sat july 11 indianapolis, in @ joyful noise recordings with SLEEPING BAG and JORMA WHITTAKER / tix/info sun july 12 chicago, il @ west fest with various others / info mon july 13 detroit, mi @ ufo factory with HYDROPARK and DARK RED / tix/info tue july 14 toronto, on @ drake hotel with CRYPTORIPS / tix/info wed july 15 montreal, qc @ bar le "ritz" p.d.b. with CRYPTORIPS and TBA / tix/infoMay 4, 2015
Here are links to Facebook events for the Swirlies' Silver Ostrich Anniversary shows - with links to ticket info & all that jazz:
wed july 1: hudson, ny @ the half moon
thu july 2: philadelphia, pa @ johnny brenda’s
fri july 3: allston, ma @ great scott
sat july 4: brooklyn, ny @ silent barn
sun july 5: brooklyn, ny @ baby’s all right
mon july 6: washington, dc @ black cat
tue july 7: baltimore, md @ ottobar
wed july 8: carrboro, nc @ cat's cradle
thu july 9: atlanta, ga @ the earl
fri july 10: cincinnati, oh @ motr pub
sat july 11: indianapolis, in @ joyful noise recordings
sun july 12: chicago, il @ west fest
mon july 13: detroit, mi @ ufo factory
tue july 14: toronto, on @ drake hotel
wed july 15: montreal, qc @ bar le "ritz" p.d.b.
April 28, 2015
We're celebrating our Silver Ostrich Anniversary with a tour this July, rejoined by founding member Seana Carmody! This time the band includes Damon, Seana, Andy, Adam, Rob, and Elliott. Many thanks to Mahmood @ Flowerbooking for setting it up. We'll have a special limited edition 7-inch record with us as well. We look forward to seeing you!
To wit:Download the poster here.
And some new places to keep in touch:P.S. We also understand that Taang! is planning to re-release our Blondertongue Audiobaton LP (1993) sometime in 2015 - more on that soon!
February 19, 2015
We've recently started (and will continue) to post sporadic treats (old and new) on Facebook. Find us here: https://www.facebook.com/TheSwirlies. "Swirlies" was occupied, so excuse the "The". Thanks to Tony (not to be confused with this Tony) for starting the page and handing the reins to us. Coming soon: the latest Strop, featured on our 2013 tour-only flash drive release.
February 3, 2015
Greetings!
With a little luck, we'll be playing some east of the Mississippi dates in the middle part of 2015 - more info soon. Meanwhile, here's a fun pic of the band Damon's playing with these days in Sweden (I Am Super Ape).
September 10, 2013
A few things: 1) we've just uploaded high resolution scans of the artwork for most of our releases (along with other treats) on our discography page (if it's worth something to you, feel free to donate via the Paypal button on that page); 2) for those of you who are interested, Damon's going to be making a few more t-shirts (same as the tour design) -- we should have them in a month or two; and 3) congratulations to Elliott Malvas on his recent Heavy Novice win at the go-cart track!
August 7, 2013
Andy's new band Wild Fruit just released a 7" - the vinyl is available for $5 plus shipping through Dischord Records here. He's still a Swirlie though.
July 21, 2013
Hey there:
At our show tonight in Philadelphia (Johnny Brenda's), the band Nothing will be replacing Arc In Round as openers. Look forward to seeing some of you at the Knitting Factory
in Brooklyn, NY tomorrow night (July 22) for the last show of the tour. Many thanks to Kurt Vile for having us along for the last couple of weeks. Look for new downloads to
be materializing here in the very near future.
July 1, 2013
Greetings all:
We've added a solo show (free, we believe) in front of Village Green Records in Muncie, IN on Saturday July 13, 2013. Here's the latest list:
With Kurt Vile and the Violators:
07/09/2013 Cleveland Heights, OH / Grog Shop
07/10/2013 Detroit, MI / Magic Stick
07/11/2013 Chicago, IL / Metro
07/12/2013 Indianapolis, IN / The Vogue
07/14/2013 Nashville, TN / Mercy Lounge
07/15/2013 Birmingham, AL / The Bottletree
07/16/2013 Atlanta, GA / Terminal West
07/17/2013 Asheville, NC / The Grey Eagle
07/18/2013 Carrboro, NC / Cat's Cradle
07/19/2013 Charlottesville, VA / Jefferson Theater
07/20/2013 Washington, DC / 9:30 Club
On our own:
07/13/2013 Muncie, IN @ Village Green Records @ 4pm -- with others TBA, see here for info
07/21/2013 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's - with Arc In Round and Pure Sunray
07/22/2013 Brooklyn, NY @ The Knitting Factory - with Grooms and Pure Sunray
June 5, 2013
Hey all:
For some reason, people (not including C.C.) occasionally write to us and say they'd like to give us money for the releases that appear on this site. For anyone who'd like to donate funds for the downloads that appear here or on our companion Richmond County Archives site, please note the presence of a PayPal donate button on the bottom of the discography page. Right now, you can get "Cats of The Wild, Volume 2", "Damon Andy Rob Ron: The Yes Girls", and the "Swirlies' Magic Strop" live series, plus all of the Archives comps and weirdness, many of which feature Swirlies tracks. There will be more in the coming months. Thank you!
And at the behest of people who, during our 2011 shows, mentioned that a xeroxed piece of paper containing a link to free downloads did not constitute "merchandise", we have also working hard on preparing some fun and special tour-only things to sell. That's right -- "things".
May 28, 2013
Greetings all:
We've added a couple more shows at the end -- here is the latest list:
With Kurt Vile and the Violators:
07/09/2013 Cleveland Heights, OH / Grog Shop
07/10/2013 Detroit, MI / Magic Stick
07/11/2013 Chicago, IL / Metro
07/12/2013 Indianapolis, IN / The Vogue
07/14/2013 Nashville, TN / Mercy Lounge
07/15/2013 Birmingham, AL / The Bottletree
07/16/2013 Atlanta, GA / Terminal West
07/17/2013 Asheville, NC / The Grey Eagle
07/18/2013 Carrboro, NC / Cat's Cradle
07/19/2013 Charlottesville, VA / Jefferson Theater
07/20/2013 Washington, DC / 9:30 Club
On our own:
07/21/2013 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's - with Pure Sunray and TBA
07/22/2013 Brooklyn, NY @ The Knitting Factory - with Pure Sunray and TBA
More are possible, but probably not many more.
May 17, 2013
Greetings all:
Continuing our series of odd-year re-appearances, Swirlies will be opening for Kurt Vile and the Violators on the following dates:
07/09/2013 Cleveland Heights, OH / Grog ShopThe line-up will be Damon Tutunjian with long-time members Rob Laakso (who is also one of the Violators), Deb Warfield (Pure Sunray), and Adam Pierce (Mice Parade), plus some fresh blood in the form of Elliott Malvas (You’re Jovian, Suburban Living) on bass. Other current & former sneaky fluters could be joining in along the way. We may also be playing a few shows after the 20th in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast – more on that later. See you there!
May 7, 2013
We recently learned that, unbeknownst to us, 'You Can't Be Told It, You Must Behold It' (from our 1996 LP 'They Spent Their Wild, Youthful Days In The Glittering
World of The Salons') appears on a free Chateau Marmont/Brain Magazine compilation of vocoder songs.
While very flattering, the inclusion of this song is in error. One song on 'Salons' does employ a vocoder (submit your guesses here to receive absolutely nothing), but 'Behold It'
is not it. The chilling humanoid voice was conjured up from the mysterious inner workings of our beloved Yamaha CS-50.
If you own a CS-50: 1) congratulations!; 2) never sell it; and 3) feel free to consult page 24 of our recipe book
for the 'Behold It' settings sheet, and entertain yourselves with the wild 'eye-eee-eye-eee-eye-eee-iiiiieeeeiiiee' sound.
August 12, 2012
For any gearheads out there, we've scanned our rare copy of the Yamaha
CS Series Servicing Guide, for Yamaha
CS-50, CS-60, and CS-80 synths. The Yamaha CS-50 features prominently in many Swirlies recordings of yore.
---
And courtesy of Dave Merson Hess, Sneaky
Flute Moods: A Tribute to the Swirlies is now available for download. Lots of wild folks covering old Swirlies songs.
July 4, 2011
Feel free to abscond with our last record -- Cats of the Wild, Volume 2. It will be up on our discography page indefinitely, courtesy of Bubblecore Records.
See you at The Spit.
June 3, 2011
Hey all– Swirlies will be playing four shows in July:
Thursday 21 July 2011 (9:00PM) w/Thrushes
Baltimore, MD
Talking Head
407 E. Saratoga St.
http://sonarbaltimore.com
Tickets $10 adv / $12 day
Friday 22 July 2011 (9:00PM) w/ Psychedelic Horseshit & Wild Fruit
Washington, D.C.
Rock and Roll Hotel
1353 H Street NE
http://www.rockandrollhoteldc.com
Tickets $12
Saturday 23 July 2011 (AFTERNOON SHOW – 2:00PM) all by ourselves
Philadelphia, PA
Johnny Brenda’s
1201 Frankford Ave.
http://www.johnnybrendas.com
Tickets $10
Sunday 24 July 2011 (AFTERNOON SHOW – 3:00PM) w/Psychedelic Horseshit
New York, NY
Seaport Music Festival
North Side Pier 17
South Fulton and South Streets
http://seaportmusicfestival.com
FREE
