David Freel, singer, guitarist and brain behind the American ambient psycho folk band Swell is still its driving force. That he lost his companions along the way doesn't seem to be an obstacle. The songs he wrote for the new album 'South Of The Rain And Snow' are witness to that. Freel played all instruments himself, except for the drum-lines provided by Nick Lucero (once active in Queens Of The Stone Age). The songs remain true to the Swell manifest: dark, filmic mood, Freel's hypnotising rythmic guitar strum and the seemingly simple but muli-layered arrangements.

At the end of last century the name SWELL was still prominent in the lists of bands ready for the great breakthrough. Following brilliant CD's like 'Swell', 'Well?', '41' and 'Too Many Days Without Thinking' the sucess story failed to materialize and the other founders Sean Kirkpatrick (drums) and Monte Vallier (bass) went their own ways. After many years, David Freel has succeeded in coming back in an impressive way.

Watch the AB sessions of Swell.

Blaudzun is the alter-ego of Dutchman Johannes Sigmond. He makes songs for lonely night-time car trips and his music has been compared with performers as diverse as Ane Brun, Arcade Fire and Ryan Adams. On the debut album - just as on stage - he is accompanied by Jakov Sigmond on guitar and lapsteel and Michiel Van Elk on accordion.

Timing:
7:00 doors
8:00 BLAUDZUN
9:00 SWELL