For the love of the riff, The Black Swamp have re-hashed a sludge sound reminiscent of the ’70s and ’90s, and are a band known for their live shows, throwing out grooves made for nodding heads and emptying beers.
Forté sat down with The Black Swamp’s guitarist Jesse Kenny, in preparation for the bands Melbourne show as part of the Witches & Wolves tour, offering some insights into the band and their music.
Looking back to 2012 where it all began, Kenny explains that The Black Swamp is a name that came about because of the band’s music style – initially it was more “swamp”, but when the band paired up with their first singer (who brought a dark and heavier sound) they added the adjective “black”. The Black Swamp is nondescript as a band name; it is truly just describing the band’s sound – which is just how Kenny likes it.
Now six years later, The Black Swamp just released their latest EP, Witches, for which the response has been really positive. This EP marks a shift in direction, as Luke Hosking steps in as the vocalist, a move that the band themselves feels good about in terms of the creatively Hosking brings to the table.
Initially Witches was only supposed to be a single, as Kenny explains, but thanks to House Fox Studios who invited them to record, The Black Swamp decided to take a weekend and record as much as they could – which resulted in the EP. “Witches is an organic thing, something that wasn’t really planned and was smashed out in two days,” he says. It has a sound that is similar to the experience of seeing the band live, and sounds just how the band wanted.
With Melbourne the last stop on the Witches & Wolves tour, Kenny reveals that so far it’s been awesome crowds, music and great friends with no shortage of fun and laughs. The Black Swamp are touring alongside the band Flaming Wrekage – who Kenny describes as the “best dudes ever, all funny guys”. Although the two bands are stylistically different, they have played together in the past and share their passion for music. Ready to incite some movement in the crowds, the Melbourne show will be headlined by Cryptic Abyss and have Illa Turba playing as well – you won’t want to miss this.
When & Where: Bar Open, Melbourne – March 16
Written by Perri Digby
Image by Rob Rizza