Michael Gira of Swans - Interview (Episode 93)

Рет қаралды 181,590

12 жыл бұрын

An interview with Michael Gira of Swans at their rehearsal space in Palenville, NY.
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Пікірлер: 224

@MercuryClock 11 жыл бұрын

Gira's really a surprisingly nice guy in person. My friends and I saw Swans perform last Sunday, and he came to the merch table after the show. One of us mentioned that the volume was painful without earplugs, and his response was "hah, well I don't want to cause anyone any pain!"

@quantumpiss4206 4 жыл бұрын

Well back in the no wave era he used to step on people's fingers and pull their hair live. And he would attack anyone headbanging.

@quantumpiss4206 4 жыл бұрын

I'm super late lol

@user-bf6gz8ej4o 3 жыл бұрын

@@quantumpiss4206 what the fucking hell? Why?

@cfc6276 3 жыл бұрын

@@user-bf6gz8ej4o I mean intense aggression and violence at live shows were a big part of that scene

@user-bf6gz8ej4o 3 жыл бұрын

@@cfc6276 that's not a valid argument imo lol.

@lucifersam99 11 жыл бұрын

Saw Swans a while ago. As Gira was trying to make his way through the audience to go have a smoke, he kinda brushed past me and a few others while grumbling "Outta the way- ya fuckin' hippies!" or somethin' like that. I personally thought it was hilarious.

@eosapienrancher4045 5 жыл бұрын

Damn, a 60-year-old white man who pretends to be a cowboy and complains about hippies. Transgressive

@Jason-uc7yz 4 жыл бұрын

farwood LMAO

@mattycfox 4 жыл бұрын

He had you sussed then. ✌🏼

@Jacksmusicshack 3 жыл бұрын

LMAO Class act though

@LunaticTheCat 3 жыл бұрын

I would be honored lol

@joesmith172 8 жыл бұрын

Michael Gira should be in a David Lynch movie.

@LegitFUry 7 жыл бұрын

He should be David Lynch.

@terasophe6205 7 жыл бұрын

He pretty much is a David Lynch movie.

@NW23Champ 6 жыл бұрын

i was just telling a friend how he'd be perfectly cast as the cowboy if mulholland drive ever gets remade.

@ggthewhale 6 жыл бұрын

Keyser Sozë i swear i first thought the cowboy was gira

@ericbryant6097 6 жыл бұрын

a smart alleck

@CandleLightDoesThings 9 жыл бұрын

Nice to see nice, happy, smiling Gira

@jeffw2004 6 жыл бұрын

John Doe kind of like a Swan.

@jamestank7653 3 ай бұрын

nice

@edgarathelred2802 2 ай бұрын

holy fucking shit this comment

@ebbtide4233 5 жыл бұрын

he somehow seems like a nice dude and is super scary at the same time

@ilyas_elouchihi 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@doxskew2221 2 жыл бұрын

Hes reminds me of like a teacher thats really cool but you dont wanna get on his bad side

@solartea_ Жыл бұрын

well you read his biography and hes literally a tarantino character

@ebbtide4233 Жыл бұрын

@@solartea_ damn ill have to check that out im intrigued

@DerpASherpa117 2 жыл бұрын

There's something inherently existential about their music. It cuts right through the bullshit and hits at the heart of what makes people uncomfortable, and then makes you relish that discomfort the more you keep listening, because their rhythms are almost hypnotic despite being purposely dissonant and atonal at times. That's difficult to do and especially coming back after a decade and sounding similar but still doing albums that are completely new.

@sy17_ 2 жыл бұрын

perfectly said

@franticpedantic 11 жыл бұрын

This guy is honestly just the coolest fuckin' dude.

@flashfire505 8 жыл бұрын

Holy shit, The Seer was in one take?

@ninjafuytp5017 7 жыл бұрын

Holy fuck

@Sighbot 6 жыл бұрын

HOLY FUCK!

@fraoulduke 5 жыл бұрын

Holy Fuck

@ferouihamza 5 жыл бұрын

HOLY FUCK!

@davidcoto15 5 жыл бұрын

Holy FUCK

@ScumOfCaligula 11 жыл бұрын

The cool thing about Gira, I think, is that he's made some of the heaviest music ever but he seems to not take himself too seriously. Like you look at those "metal/hardcore" guys and they're trying so hard to look hard and scary -- it's bullshit, ya know?

@nekozombie 6 жыл бұрын

Dick Richards 100%

@midasbaijense8379 6 жыл бұрын

Most metal bands who try to look 'scary' don't take themselves that seriously either. They're just being theatrical/campy.

@coltonc8562 4 жыл бұрын

Dick Richards yeah I remember being a little baby punk when I was 16 in Charlotte NC playing a venue that got tore down soon after and this one really friendly veteran of the scene pulled me aside and sorta warned me of that. "These guys will try to make you believe they wake up every morning in a pile of their own vomit." Is a sentence I won't soon forget.

@Based_Stuhlinger 4 жыл бұрын

God I hate nothing more than that metalcore trash, I am convinced it's the worst music out there. Regular metal and other subgenres are great though.

@Based_Stuhlinger 4 жыл бұрын

@Mate Eternal All metalcore is just noise, mate. Regular metal has more progressive elements and doesn't have the drumkit doing the same thing the entire song with cringe juvenile vocals. Crossover thrash is a good example of punk and metal working but core genres just sounds terrible

@domsawyer8953 2 жыл бұрын

I love Michael's authenticity.

@lukecockburn1140 Жыл бұрын

Me also

@fuzzydunlop4513 5 жыл бұрын

Hey look it's a No Wave artist that's kind and respectful in person

@jkam2393 3 жыл бұрын

**Cough** James Chance **cough**

@thegucc593 3 жыл бұрын

arto lindsay and john lurie are pretty respectful

@bronghusphidalski522 3 жыл бұрын

lydia is far from the face of the scene dont worry about her

@8aarhive815 5 жыл бұрын

4:24 omg the little swan duck things are so adorable

@BurningSpear213 11 жыл бұрын

He is definitely a funny guy, sometimes at the expense of the audience, but still funny.

@TheBradcake 11 жыл бұрын

"Peace song or whatever it is" I love this guy

@Poopmannn Жыл бұрын

Piece

@funnel6106 8 жыл бұрын

2:36 every Swans song known to man

@grenadine-3-3-3 5 ай бұрын

make 10+ minutes as well

@punkpotatoes 10 жыл бұрын

nice Oneohtrix shirt

@soppsau 9 жыл бұрын

oh damn didnt even notice his shirt. r plus 7 aoty 2013 btw

@reginageorge5088 11 жыл бұрын

I saw them 2 days ago and told him he had a really beautiful smile :)

@MadamLolz 3 жыл бұрын

Michael Gira is so fucking ethereal I’m in love. ❤️ thank you for creating

@videotrash 10 жыл бұрын

wow, i'd never have guessed from simply his music how likeable this guy appears to be. but then again, if i could have, the music wouldn't be as literally insanely awesome, as it is.

@benschoman9416 3 жыл бұрын

yeah many artists who make really dark and heavy music aber super nice and likeable in person, at least from you can tell in Interviews/their social media

@numbnuts375 9 ай бұрын

⁠@@benschoman9416I think it requires a certain sensitivity and humanity to make and appreciate that sort of music. Sometimes they are just psycho tho

@beflygelt 8 жыл бұрын

damn he's incredibly humbly

@Zhuntovany.Kavalir 7 жыл бұрын

hes submissive.

@CB-qg3yh 5 жыл бұрын

Not a word buddy

@Daniel-ew5qf Жыл бұрын

@@Zhuntovany.Kavalir if you went to his concert you'd take it back. though, if you already have, then why in the world would you think so!

@stuartfishman1044 8 ай бұрын

One of the heaviest, most overwhelming bands ever to hit a stage.

@edgarathelred2802 2 ай бұрын

Yes.

@Tordah90 10 жыл бұрын

Gonna see them next week!!!!!!!!!!! Pure sonic bliss awaits!!!

@ohen 7 жыл бұрын

You will see me ... two more times.

@DeadWhiteButterflies 11 жыл бұрын

I think that's the most comfortable I've ever seen him in an interview.

@Jacksmusicshack 3 жыл бұрын

Cowboy Gira. Coming to theaters sometimes whenever he feels like it. Michael Gira: "what?" 🤣

@crazzzysean800 Жыл бұрын

Love Love Love Your work:)

@NikoHL 4 жыл бұрын

Swans just popped up randomly on my Spotify.. I heard this music and thought WTF is that?? They are freakin awesome..

@maxautunno 3 жыл бұрын

great interview. you can tell the dude is a fan

@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245 2 жыл бұрын

1:37 I bet that Jim Morrison painting is the one from pawn starts lol

@peepnox7747 2 жыл бұрын

Love this band

@nathansmith9551 11 жыл бұрын

Comparing him to God? Really? I mean come on, he may be good, he may be great, but he is NO Michael Gira!!

@L0ngfellow9 11 жыл бұрын

So I'm a new fan, I just got the Seer out of the blue and I'm loving it, but I'm really surprized this guy's not some deranged brooding Russian maniac, haha. He's not acting when not onstage and that's really admirable.

@thecrikster 11 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. I think one of the few metal bands I can respect are the deftones, because they are more interested in creating a mood rather than "trying" to be scary.

@big_man_on_the_scene 5 ай бұрын

this whole video is still at least twice as short than one modern day swans long

@sex6cult9revolution 11 жыл бұрын

It's true - he is mostly pleasant (and genuine) in person. But I'm never seen him look this HAPPY. But then, shit, if I as kickin' it upstate - somewhere like that - I think I'd be happier too.

@UpperCrustthe3rd 11 жыл бұрын

nice interview.

@1shyy524 4 жыл бұрын

Why is everyone calling him scary? Literally every swans video i see people call Gira scary? He’s fucking humble af wym?

@cowboydan8021 3 жыл бұрын

Have you read The Consumer?

@playedescapade 11 жыл бұрын

His smile kills me.

@lynchmaleideal 4 жыл бұрын

Is it me, or Gira looks a lot skinnier and younger in the interview than he does in the shots of him in the studio?

@jamesdoctor8079 8 жыл бұрын

had a really emotional experience seeing that old scientic atlanta cable box with time reading 2:01 @ 3:39

@Fireguy65 2 жыл бұрын

Touissant!!! L’Ouverture!!!$

@lamentate07 11 жыл бұрын

really? People still say that? I remember mags like Terrorizer claiming that back in the mid 90's before Swans disappeared, but i'm surprised people say that now. Then again, perhaps not, because they have become 'trendy' again. I'd say that Swans are 'scarier/heavier' than most metal bands, if only because Gira doesn't hide as much behind imagery and cliched metaphors. There is less posing, less window dressing. and i love metal btw.

@kriskenard 9 жыл бұрын

quite insightful

@URGHism 11 жыл бұрын

Some metal musicians definitely try way too hard to look tough or scary, but most of them (even the ones with infamously stupid attire, like Manowar or Immortal) take themselves about as seriously as Michael Gira does.

@andreiiancu2501 2 жыл бұрын

I love that guy

@noisesandwich 12 жыл бұрын

♥Michael Gira♥

@heart3356 5 жыл бұрын

nice to see morrison on th wal

@nedd.8479 4 жыл бұрын

For some reason, his accent reminds me of John Malkovich.

@BubblingSyphilisSund 11 жыл бұрын

Also, he doesn't let the music he makes dictate anything else about his life. His music is heavy, yes. But he's not wearing what you'd expect someone who makes the music he does to wear. He's an amazing, complex guy.

@d3athr0ck3r 5 жыл бұрын

Micheal Gira can laugh and smile.....

@herakleitus 10 жыл бұрын

The Lizard King looks on in the background, green with envy

@yanille4109 Жыл бұрын

love this dude, super genuine and well spoken

@thenyquilchannel8738 4 жыл бұрын

Gira is such an interesting person

@chusmaestro 5 жыл бұрын

Do anyone noticed that Gira's voice sounds exactly like JOHN WAYNE?

@etiennec9650 8 жыл бұрын

what is the song that starts at 1:45 ?

@vertyisprobablydead Ай бұрын

Michael Gira lives in upstate NY omg omg omg where is he omg

@Gambitheart 11 жыл бұрын

Anyone else noticed jim morrison behind in the jamming studio..

@aerokraft 11 жыл бұрын

voice of god

@twelvefireflies 11 жыл бұрын

is that a BC Rich Warlock in the background?

@joeclark572 7 жыл бұрын

Anybody have info/name of the studio they are rehearsing in?

@Lunar_Pendragon 3 жыл бұрын

Gira is based.

@mildmagician2764 6 жыл бұрын

Thor Harris is an underrated drummer

@eatpanda118 11 жыл бұрын

Where in upstate ny? dacks?

@unaaaaaaa1934 8 жыл бұрын

COWBOY

@classinstrument 3 жыл бұрын

Pretty sure the interviewer in this is named Alex(?)--kinda bums me out there's no mention of him anywhere in this as he contributed to a great convo.

@redshaftedflicker 11 жыл бұрын

Hey kid, he answered you-FEAR OF DEATH. Next time I see Gira I will present him with a Cuban cigar.

@HateDisease 11 жыл бұрын

How so, what did he do? Details, we want details!

@ericmsandoval 11 жыл бұрын

oh I know.

@URGHism 11 жыл бұрын

Your comment was basically correct, it's just that Swans fans have a really annoying tendency to bash metal or punk (but usually focusing on metal) while praising Swans, usually in the context of "Swans are way scarier/heavier than any of those immature metal/punk morons!". It's a trend that I've become completely sick of, which was why I was more abrasive than I perhaps should have been (you should probably avoid that yourself, btw).

@auralepiphanies4055 Жыл бұрын

Yeah he has really changed, I think for the better

@juda4568 6 ай бұрын

Nesesito una foto con el.

@CharlesMontgomeryBurns. 2 жыл бұрын

What was that song playing in the beginning?

@tite93 2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like something out of the glowing man

@URGHism 11 жыл бұрын

I wasn't into music back then so I can't really comment, but it seems likely that Swans' current popularity is a factor in the attitude being common nowadays. I actually agree that Swans are darker, heavier and scarier than most metal (mainly because most metal isn't particularly dark, heavy or scary on its own terms); it's the whole "metal is for manchildren" angle of the attitude that bugs me.

@DerpASherpa117 2 жыл бұрын

Because there's something inherently existential about their music. It cuts right through the bullshit and hits at the heart of what makes people uncomfortable, and then makes you relish that discomfort once you keep listening, because their rhythms are almost hypnotic despite being purposely dissonant and atonal at times. That's difficult to do.

@asskirk 7 жыл бұрын

mhm

@Jamesp1972 3 жыл бұрын

The Seer is a bit Emperor's New Clothes for me, much prefer the seemingly more considered and varied mid-period stuff like Soundtracks, and Children of God

@solartemptations6390 2 жыл бұрын

All Swans music sounds like perfect soundtrack from unreleased Lynch movie.

11 жыл бұрын

piece* he's referring to it as a piece, like an art piece....

@goldbridgesapprentice6925 2 жыл бұрын

Did he say "urgency" that's ironic

@PentagramSchematic 12 жыл бұрын

pretty strange seeing Gira smile

@user-ch4et9gw4k 4 жыл бұрын

Michael Gira is basically Nick Offerman of real life

@sawmain6339 2 ай бұрын

Michael was pretty down to earth in person. Not as abrasive as some might perceive

@-thirteen 4 жыл бұрын

Bench

@BassPlayer11235 11 жыл бұрын

in and out and in and out aga ai ai ai ai ai ain

@lamentate07 11 жыл бұрын

Yeah i can't stand that attitude either, mostly because it presumes that metal hasn't 'grown up' from the 80's--which is complete B.S--and also because it assumes there is only one level of engagement. So if you like Manowar, for example, you must be stupid because the music is stupid. but there are plenty of ways to engage with their music imo, even if it isn't 'sophisticated'. People that use the 'man child' angle generally no nothing about metal, so their opinions are irrelevant.

@sibe5730 5 күн бұрын

terrible questions

@mypaldan 2 жыл бұрын

Do people listen to Swans for the same reason they lie on beds of nails?

@uraneusfoe Жыл бұрын

by what everyone's saying, yes, but that's what's fun about art

@enolAngnm 11 жыл бұрын

well, he was a jerk when i met him..

@turqdeth 3 жыл бұрын

Hes changed for the better but im sorry you had to deal with that

@veilenedream5825 3 жыл бұрын

@@turqdeth hey, thanks :).

@Demention94 6 жыл бұрын

The "problem" with this guy is he takes his art seriously.

@ColombianThunder 5 жыл бұрын

Why is that a "problem"

@spacefertilizer 4 жыл бұрын

that's the dumbest shit i've heard in a while. who wants to listen or look at a creation which even its creator doesn't take seriously?

@abcdefzhij 4 жыл бұрын

ITT: people not noticing quotation marks

@SwitchbIade 3 жыл бұрын

theres a difference between taking your art seriously and being a pretentious asshole. gira takes his art seriously , but isnt a pretentious asshole.

@yaboi2500 2 жыл бұрын

@@spacefertilizer Exactly. Even Ween, what with their weird as fuck music and vulgar lyrics, took their stuff seriously.

@larmondoflairallen4705 3 жыл бұрын

If you are struggling to get into his music, and you are wondering why, I'll let you in on a secret. It's because it isn't very good to begin with. If you hang around long enough and give off the vibe that you are deep and meaningful, you will eventually get a cult following that will swoon over you. I give him credit for accomplishing that much, though.

@youtubeuserdan4017 3 жыл бұрын

How do you say so? I can understand not liking Swans' music (or any even any artist's music) but how could you speak for other people and give them the reason of why they don't like his music?

@nicknickson3650 2 жыл бұрын

"if you are struggling to get into his music" I'm not, I loved it immediately

@yaboi2500 2 жыл бұрын

My guy, you listen to The Rolling Stones and Robert Palmer. You can’t say anything about music being bad or good when you listen to actual worthless trash.

@carsonnichols7428 2 жыл бұрын

@@yaboi2500 my guy, op is an idiot, but how are you gonna go and call one of the most popular bands of all time garbage

@yaboi2500 2 жыл бұрын

@@carsonnichols7428 Because they are. They’re massively outclassed by their “rivals” (like The Beatles and The Kinks), and they’re even worse when compared to bands throughout the decades.