Not Here / Not Now Explained

Not Here / Not Now
Type:live
Longtype:(double album)
Artist:Swans
Cover:Not Here Not Now cover.jpeg
Alt:A drawing of a claw hammer smashing the word "NOW"
Caption:Cover art of the 619th pressing
Recorded:February 15, 2013 (track 7)
May 24, 2013 (tracks 1–6)
Venue:Corner Hotel, Melbourne (track 7)
Primavera Sound, Barcelona, Spain (tracks 1–6)
Label:Young God
Producer:Michael Gira
Prev Title:The Seer
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:To Be Kind
Next Year:2014

Not Here / Not Now is a limited-edition double live album by American post-rock band, Swans. It was announced for sale on October 14, 2013, via Young God Records. The profits earned from this album were used to fund the band's subsequent album, To Be Kind.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Background

The live album, which consists of 2000 copies, was primarily recorded during the band's appearance at Primavera Sound 2013 festival in Barcelona, with closer "Nathalie Neal" taken from their show in Melbourne earlier that year. It features live versions of The Seer,[6] a live version of "Coward" from their 1986 album Holy Money, new unrecorded songs, and two "crude acoustic demos of songs for the upcoming studio album". The cover art, which was drawn by artist Nicole Boitos, was uniquely "further drawn upon, personalized and signed by Michael Gira" for each copy.[1] [4] [7] [8] [9]

Along with the live album, various other options are available with special offerings for different monetary alternatives, including an "executive producer" credit on the band's new album or "video of a simple, short, original song, acoustic guitar and voice, with customers' name in the song, praising the customer, his or her ancestors, thoughts, dreams, and future or past lives, forever", written and sung by Gira. Other offerings include VIP guest list status to the band's one of the upcoming concert shows or a printed poster.[10] [11]

The album shares its name with the title of a song from Angels of Light's 2007 record, We Are Him.

Critical reception

Stuart Berman of Pitchfork Media praised the album, stating: "Of the songs featured on Not Here/Not Now, only three have appeared on previous recordings. And any worries that Swans are showing too much of their hand are defused by the fact that new Swans songs rarely make it from the stage to record in the same form, and, once officially released, mutate even further in subsequent performances."

Track listing

Disc one
  • Disc two
  • Bonus tracks
  • Personnel

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Swans Funding New Album With Live Record and More, Michael Gira Will Write a Song About You . . October 14, 2013 . October 15, 2013 . Pelly, Jenn.
    2. Web site: Swans name their upcoming live album and upcoming UK dates . . July 17, 2013 . October 15, 2013.
    3. Web site: Swans announce some details on a new live album, plan to record studio LP in October, and more! . . July 16, 2013 . October 15, 2013 . Micah, Jared.
    4. Web site: Swans release new live album Not Here / Not Now, profits will fund follow-up to The Seer . . October 14, 2013 . October 15, 2013.
    5. Web site: Swans Release Live Double Album 'Not Here / Not Now . . October 14, 2013 . October 14, 2013.
    6. Web site: The Long Game . Frere-Jones . Sasha . Sasha Frere-Jones . . October 16, 2013 . Condé Nast Publications.
    7. Web site: Swans Will Write You a Song to Fund Their Next Album . . October 14, 2013 . October 15, 2013 . Martins, Chris.
    8. Web site: Swans Release Live Album . . October 14, 2013 . October 15, 2013 . Tuffrey, Laurie.
    9. Web site: Swans Release Live Album To Fund New Record . . October 15, 2013 . October 15, 2013.
    10. Web site: Swans release live album to fund new studio album, due in Spring 2014 . . October 14, 2013 . October 15, 2013 . Young, Alex.
    11. Web site: Swans offer to write songs 'praising your family' in order to fund new album . . October 15, 2013 . October 15, 2013.