Now this is the first American band we have showcased on this year’s SXSW posts. And this is also the first band with the most overly Jewish musical roots. Yet they have worked in some African blends that makes their music one of the most unique sounds that hipster jews are bringing to SXSW.
The Sway Machinery hails from good ol’ Brooklyn NY. The band has some big weight behind it, and I don’t mean just Jewish weight. They’ve got such a wonderful assorted lineup of some seemingly random semi-famous musicians, I kinda wish I was in the band. Then again, I kinda wish I was in any band (every hipster’s dream).*
Jeremiah Lockwood – A guitarists from Balkan Beat Box
Colin Stetson – bass saxophonist for Arcarde Fire, Tom Waits, Martin Medeski and Wood, Sinead O’Connor
Stuart Bogie – tenor sax for TV on the Radio, Martin Medeski and Wood, Wu Tang Clan, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Sinead O’Conner
Brian Chase – drums for the motherfuckin Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I know more famous Jewish musicians are out there, but if these dudes aren’t Hipster Jews (I mean, no one plays the sax in a rock band these days), then how would you explain the friction in my pants?
I won’t lie. My knowledge of world music falls slightly beyond The Gypsy Kings, Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass, and any indie song sung in French. But that doesn’t meant mean I can’t appreciate this highly bizarre klezmer/indie rock/jazz/African blend.
I consider myself a bit of a musical pretentious snob (just kidding, a huge douchy pretentious snob). Which is why I am surprised to say that I’ve already got a bit of a musical man crush with The Sway Machinery. Only partly because they got to travel to Mali and exonerate themselves of any white guilt. Some days my white guilt is insurmountably crushing.
* I also really wish I was in a klezmer Creed cover band. Dudes from The Sway Machinery, if this thing you’ve got going doesn’t work out you know where to find me.
