Many people who were present in the 80's would hear the name Louden Swain and think of the main character from the film Vision Quest. However, if you would say the name to me and many others, we would think of the rock band, Louden Swain.
(And yes, they named themselves after the character).
Louden Swain is a rock group consisting of lead singer Rob Benedict, bass player Michael Borja, guitarist Billy Moran, and drummer Stephen Norton. Rob, Michael, and Stephen started the band in 1997 and the guitar God that is Billy Moran (seriously, you should watch him play), joined in 2005. Since the beginning of the group, the band has produced 5 full length albums with their 6th scheduled to come out January 13th, 2017.
(Click here for the band's website!)
Louden Swain is Amazing, and that's a total pun intended if you've heard the band's latest single, (which you can also find on their website). I'm here to give you reasons to pick up your computer and go do a YouTube search.
Here are 4 Reasons to Listen to Louden Swain.
(GIF Credit: swooningswainers-blog.tumblr.com)
1. They Aren't Afraid To Write What They Want
As a band, Louden Swain write their own music, which by itself is incredible. That's something that you don't see of much these days.
They write what they want, which in turn produces fantastic music. In the 19 years the band has been together, they've paid their dues enough where they are comfortable enough to. They're passionate, and it comes through in their music.
"Mike was saying there's such variance between songs. I mean a song like "Hot Times" is not like anything we've ever played before. It's got a reggae feel, I'm singing falsetto, it's a whole different thing. And then you've got "Cool If I Come Over" which is like all country. It's a type of ballad that we really haven't done before. And then "Lucky" which is straight up like punk. So to me that's Louden Swain right now. Feeling comfortable enough with ourselves to branch out and go outside of the box." -Rob Benedict
2. Each Song Has A Reason, A Story
This is something I respect a great deal. Rob, who writes the lyrics, sometimes will tell the story of a song before they play it in a concert. This allows people to be able to connect with them and connect with their songs.
I can say this on personal experience. Take the song "Downtown Letdown" for example.
"This particular song came up again recently for us. Sorta talking about depression, and that is something that's not, that's not a stranger to the band and particularly to myself. I don't talk about it much but I deal a lot with depression and anxiety. The healing thing for me is to sort of express myself through songs, through lyrics. So, this is a song about that." -Rob Benedict on Downtown Letdown
(Click here for the video and performance).
As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety daily, I cried the first time I heard the song. (Just being honest here). It's helped me and many others a lot. Their songs help people, and you could easily relate to them too.
To bring outside proof, I asked my friend Becca what Louden Swain song has helped her in any way, especially a song that has a story behind it. She picked "Hey Darlin,'" click here for the story behind it and the performance. Here are Becca's words:
"Well the song for me is Hey Darlin' because I'm in a very long distance relationship and I can relate to the song. I live in the United States and my fiancee Kylie lives in Australia. When she came out and visited me, I felt complete. She's the one for me and I know that I'm hers. But when she had to leave for home, I was devastated and felt alone for days. I'd cry myself to sleep, cry when I woke up because she wasn't next to me. It was hard. Long distant relationships are so hard. There's one verse in the song that I love and it's "There's one life I've ever known, Much I've changed but not outgrown. I'm trying to make a go Alone. But I can't see without your stare, When your voice is never there There's a void hang in the air At home" That one line is true in every aspect for me. When she's with me, I feel at home. I have my other half with me, you know? So without her, there's literally a void in my life. The reason this song has helped me so much is because it gives me hope. Hope that I'll see her again and hold her in my arms, be complete. It's easily the song I can most relate to and I thank Louden Swain for such a wonderful song. Also, Rob's voice is extremely soothing. I can listen to any song and just feel relaxed and stress free." -@totallysupernaturaloneshots (Thanks Becca!)
However, not all the stories are that serious. Sometimes the stories behind the songs are just for enjoyment. Take "Gamma Ray"!
"This is a song off our Eskimo album, and it's called "Gamma Ray." Wrote it about, remember when the Mayan calendar was ending? So this song is dated now. In 30 years you'll go, this song's about the Mayan calendar, what? Anyway, it was about the scare of the end of the world and all that, but I think we can still relate. This is "Gamma Ray." -Rob on Gamma Ray (Click here for video)
I could go on, but this is where you have to go listen to them to find out more. *insert winky face*
3. The Music Comes From Good People
Louden Swain is one of the nicest group of men I've ever seen. Seriously, I have never seen anyone say they had a bad Swain experience at a convention or a concert, and I think that's amazing.
In today's times especially, we always see musicians in the spotlight doing things that are really disappointing. Why not listen to a band that's extremely genuine and really appreciates their fans? Especially as a teenager, it's important to me that the music I listen to can come from excellent role models, and the men in Louden Swain are just that. These are people who deserve to have you listen to them.
(GIF Credit: loudenswainers.tumblr.com)
4. They're Just So Damn Good
I don't know how else to say it without saying it bluntly, but's true. Louden Swain have talent, extreme talent, and they just make good music. I remember the first time I ever listened to them, I sat and listened to them for hours. Every song that came on was well written and well arranged, and it was just really refreshing to find a band with every song of theirs being good.
Go check out Louden Swain, listen and enjoy, trust me. You'll thank me later.
Go follow the band on Twitter!
@LoudenSwain1
@RobBenedict
@Billy_Moran
@BorjaBorja1
@Innocuous_Flop
Also, Louden Swain have a stageit performance Thursday, September 22nd. Click here to buy tickets.
(GIF Credit: loudenswain.tumblr.com)
