Swans, a veteran, and Anna Von Hausswolff, a newcomer in a highly experimental style, both artists are not easily pinned down in genre. Swans incorporating elements of noise, industrial, and experimental rock, and Von Hausswolff exploring darkwave, art pop, drone, and more. Swans was originally founded by Michael Gira in 1982 as part of the “No Wave” musical movement, which plays with noise and tones, rather than perfecting riffs or other common tropes in punk and rock. Over the years, Swans went through many musical evolutions, as the band had an ever-shifting membership. Anna Von Hausswolff elates a dark and gothic feeling through her use of organs and synth in an experimental fashion, as well as including her haunting and ominous vocals. 

Swans were first active in 1982 and went on to create and perform until 1997, reforming in 2010 and continuing to this day. Swans has over 15 albums beginning with 1983’s Filth. Primarily experimenting with noise at first, they had a stylistic shift with their 3rd album, Greed which included more melody. Swans left off in 1996 with Soundtracks for the Blind and returned in 2010 with My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky. Their latest album is Leaving Meaning released 2019. Anna Von Hausswolff began with her debut album Singing from the Grave in 2010, gaining popularity in Sweden. Her fourth album Dead Magic incorporates heavy use of the organ and seeks to emanate mystique. Her latest album is All Thoughts Fly released this year.

Both Swans and Anna Von Hauswolff experiment with dark tonality to encompass an emotional spectrum through sound. 

Swans with Anna Von Hausswolff

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Doors: 7:30 PM

Show: 8:30 PM

17+

General admission $28-$45

Thalia Hall

1807 S Allport St

Chicago, IL 60608

More information here and here

Purchase tickets here