Bay Area native Swiftumz has a brand new 7” out via Rocinante Records! The record, including a more upbeat, rocked out re-recording of “Love Ya 4EVA,” and a brand new song, “Klik Klak,” was recorded locally at Different Fur Studios. The tracks embody pop music at its best – simple, groove-able, and downright good.
The band’s frontman, Christopher McVicker, has been making music as Swiftumz for a little while now, gaining buzz and traction within and beyond the Bay Area, but you won’t find his recordings on SoundCloud or Bandcamp. Despite the lack of online presence and his super humble demeanor, McVicker is just as much of a hyper-productive, super-brilliant musician as a few of our favorite locals. In addition to his work as Swiftumz, McVicker has written songs for Hunx and His Punx, and is looking forward to a split record with Tony Molina coming out on Slumberland records in the not-so-distant future.
I got in touch with McVicker to talk a little more about the new 7”, the evolution of the band, and our love for the San Francisco music scene. Rocinante Records’ owner Josh Yule (who you might also recognize as a member of the band Cruel Summer) didn’t hesitate to mention that the pre-ordered records were already sent out last week, and the small pressing of 200 of these babies is likely to go fast!
TBB: Your first interview with The Bay Bridged was about a year and a half ago. How has Swiftumz evolved since then?
CMV: I’d like to think that it’s always evolving. As much as it is a solo project with me being kind of the “leader” or whatever, it would not go anywhere without the help and support of my immensely talented friends. This goes beyond the music, to the artwork and graphic design on the records. I feel really lucky and humbled to have records out and to be getting a honest positive response from people who know and love music. The newest recordings are gonna be more songs that I co-wrote with friends and even songs I didn’t write at all. The goal right now is to have fun, make good songs and not take ourselves too seriously.
TBB: Why did you decide to redo “4EVA” and turn it into “Love You 4EVA”?
CMV: The original version of “4EVA” on the LP was mostly programmed in Logic. I wanted to re-record with the incarnation of the live band at the time because it had a different feel. The version on the new single is just a live take with a couple after effects done during mixing. I had envisioned it as a B-side, but I think Josh at the label felt it was the stronger tune so put it on the A-side.
TBB: Can you tell me about the B-side?
CMV: “Klik Klak” is called that because cuz it starts off just playing rim shots, so to get our drummer at the time to remember the song we’d say: “the one with the click clacks in the beginning!”
TBB: What are your thoughts on the SF music scene?
CMV: It seems to be pretty vibrant. There are bands playing everywhere, seven nights a week and everybody is in a band. I’m probably guilty and notorious for not going out to a lot of shows, but along with checking out cool bands I like to watch basketball or go to the movies or get a karaoke room or go to an empty bar and listen to the crappy jukebox or stay home and listen to records.
There’s always good dance music somewhere every night of the week, which I also think is really necessary. I think a lot of people complain about how SF sucks right now for creative types, but I still really love it here. You just gotta pick your spots. I think one problem people have that move to SF is they never leave the city or go anywhere else in the Bay Area…there
