SWOMP

Crystal Shawanda on new single 'Would You Know Love', big plans for 2025 & being an Indigenous ambassador

Chart-topping, JUNO Award-winning powerhouse Crystal Shawanda just released a brand new single 'Would You Know Love' on January 10, 2025 via New Sun Records on all streaming platforms.
Shawanda told SWOMP in an interview the song is set to be on her forthcoming album, which set to be released in April.
Produced by Crystal’s husband and long-time collaborator Dewayne Strobel, 'Would You Know Love' is a heartfelt ballad that beautifully explores the depths of love.
The track features Crystal's unmatched raspy vocals and strikes a perfect balance between old and new, blending the raw emotion of the blues with the storytelling soul of country.
“When I sing it I get emotional thinking about who wouldn’t be in my life, if I had let love slip on by,” said Crystal, in a press release.
“I think sometimes people walk away from love too easily when it gets tough, but that’s what makes it love. It endures.”
Crystal was the first Indigenous woman to win a Canadian Country Music Award for Female Artist of the Year (2009) and the first to win a JUNO Award for Blues Album of the Year (2020).
She became the first full blood Indigenous woman to appear in the Top 20 on the American Billboard Country chart, sell over 300k records and to sing at the Grand Ole Opry.
Her album Midnight Blues debuted at #8 on the American Billboard Blues chart in 2022, making her the first Indigenous woman to appear in the Top 10.
Her debut single "You Can Let Go" (2008), was the fastest climbing single on the Canadian Country Singles Chart since Carolyn Dawn Johnson's "Georgia" (2000) and reached the Top 10 in only five weeks.
Born and raised in Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario, Crystal discovered her love for blues music through her brother and old-time country from her parents.
Her professional music career began in country music, signing with RCA Nashville in her early 20s.
Her debut, Dawn of a New Day (2008), topped Canadian country charts and set a record for a Canadian Indigenous country artist.
After leaving the label, she launched New Sun Records, and made the change to the blues with 2014’s The Whole World’s Got The Blues.
Follow Crystal at https://crystalshawanda.co/.

Trentemøller on his new album 'Dreamweaver', North American tour, including Feb. 6 show at the Axis Club in Toronto

Copenhagen’s Trentemøller is set to embark on a North American tour, which includes a February 6, 2025 stop in Toronto, Ontario at the Axis Club.
SWOMP caught up with Anders Trentemøller to discuss his brand new album 'Dreamweaver' and his North American tour.
The tour begins on February 5 at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg, in support of last year’s Dreamweaver (In My Room).
Receiving praise from outlets like Stereogum, KEXP, Brooklyn Vegan, FLOOD Magazine, Under The Radar, XLR8R, PopMatters and many more, the record offers another artistic leap for Trentemøller, fusing together psychedelically-tinged elements of shoegaze, dark wave, motorik, noise rock, and somber, introspective takes on electronic dream pop. Tickets are on sale now here.
Dreamweaver is an absolutely lush endeavor that demands to be heard live.
The chronology of its 10 songs are an immersive experience with repeated listens promising new rewards; from geysers of white noise propelling songs further forward, to jarring otic dissonance playing against honeyed vocals, and jangling guitar bends blanketed in tidepools of reverb.
With Icelandic singer Disa along for the ride again after featuring on two singles in 2022 (“Into The Silence,” and a cover of The Raveonettes “Cops On Our Tail”), her contributions sit in the balance between vocal performance and instrumentation.
The album’s singles provide a perfect preview for the rest of the music held within.
More information and ticket details can be found at https://www.trentemoller.com/.

Dead Pioneers' Gregg Deal on opening for Pearl Jam in the spring of 2025

In continued support of their 3x GRAMMY-nominated album Dark Matter, Pearl Jam will be heading back on tour for 11 shows in the spring of 2025.
Indigenous led punk/post punk art band Dead Pioneers will serve as support for the opening two dates in Hollywood, Florida on April 24 and April 26, along with the following two shows in Atlanta, Georgia on April 29 and May 1.
Dead Pioneers vocalist, nationally known Indigenous artist of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Gregg Deal says he started this project as an extension to a performance piece titled 'The Punk Pan-Indian Romantic Comedy'.
With the intent to create original music for this performance piece, the Dead Pioneers was born.
Dead Pioneers is rooted in creating and performing a sound heavily influenced by the punk aesthetic with an edge built on a First Peoples perspective and not afraid to tackle hard political and social issues, standing in solidarity of Indigenous rights, Black rights, Brown rights, Asian rights, Gay rights, Trans rights, Workers rights and beyond.
SWOMP caught up with Gregg for an interview to discuss the launch of the band, along with the gigs opening for Pearl Jam.
Follow the band at https://www.deadpioneers.band/.

Winona Fighter on their forthcoming album, 2025 tour, plus a spot at the Innings Festival in Tempe, Arizona

Nashville punk rockers Winona Fighter have a massive year in store in 2025.
After releasing the single 'R U FAMOUS' on January 10, 2025, the band is about a month away from releasing their latest full-length album 'My Apologies To The Chef' on February 14, 2025.
SWOMP caught up with front-woman Coco, guitarist Dan Fuson and bass player/producer Austin Luther to discuss the new music and their 2025 tour, which includes a Friday, February 21, 2025 spot at the Innings Festival in Tempe, Arizona.
SWOMP saw the band tear it up on the Decibel Stage at Louder Than Life on Sunday, September 29, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Follow the band at https://winonafighter.com/.
Photo credit: Lindsey Byrnes

54-40 guitarist Dave Genn on their 2025 Ontario tour, latest album & vodka surprises

54-40 is a legendary Canadian rock band that emerged from the vibrant music scene of Vancouver, British Columbia. 
Formed in 1981, the band have earned a reputation as one of Canada's most enduring and influential rock acts, captivating audiences with their distinctive sound, thought-provoking lyrics, and powerful performances.
SWOMP caught up with guitarist Dave Genn, who goes into detail about their latest album, 2023's 'Westcoast Band'.
He discusses their upcoming 2025 Ontario tour, which stops at 11 cities across the Province from January 22 to February 4, including a show at the Capitol Theatre in Chatham-Kent, which SWOMP is excited to cover.
Genn also shares some tips on his famous "vodka surprises", which the band uses on the road "to get in the rocking mood."
Follow the band at https://www.5440.com/.