Sierra Swan has been in the music industry for more than 20 years, producing four full length albums, and recently her new EP, TANGERINES.
Swan also decided to direct a video for every song off the EP, and the latest is “Troubled Boy.” We caught up more with Swan about the track and new video:
What prompted you to write this feminist anthem and make this video?
Initially I really didn’t think about it as an anthem at all. Like a lot of songs it started with a beat and a melody idea. So once I programmed the beat, immediately I just started singing and the first thing out of my mouth was ‘I want all of my shit back’ and I just went from there. The song is really meant to empower anyone who feels like their destiny has been negotiated by anyone other than themselves.
What was the writing and recording process like for the song?
Like I said before it started with a beat and things snowballed from there, sometimes songs happen very quickly and sometimes they don’t. This one really had a life of its own. I was just making it happen. That’s what life is though, ideas that we choose to put into action.
What was the process like making this video?
Well I had to make a video that was safe, due to Covid. So I just called a few people that I know here in Minneapolis and told them to do an extreme version of themselves in front of either their house or mine and I was just going to walk my dog and sing the song and have a good time, with moments of people being themselves, but being a fluorescent version of themselves, whether that was super silly, witchy or super grumpy and it worked.
What do you think is the most important things musicians can do to support feminism and social justice?
I think not being afraid to be yourself, as boring as that sounds but it’s really hard to do. Speaking up when something wrong is happening around you. LISTENING when it’s time to listen. Everyone is suffering privately about some thing, and taking that into account is a very helpful tool.
Do you have anything else in the works that you want to announce, like upcoming albums or shows?
I just wrapped a video for the song ‘Peach’ written by my beautiful friend Billy Corgan. It’s the only song on the album I didn’t write, but that’s because when I was done with what I thought was the last song on the EP, something told me I needed a ballad and I just wasn’t feeling like I wanted to write it. I asked Billy if he had a song that I could use and to my surprise he said yes, he sent me this unbelievable song. I had to double check with him because it was so perfect and beautiful and I couldn’t believe he was giving it to me. Linda Strawberry, also a dear friend, directed the video and there is a nice surprise in it but I can’t reveal that yet, cause it’s a surprise. I am also almost done with a bluegrass/Americana album that I did with Billy and my friend Hilary Williams in Nashville a month ago. Probably won’t see the light of day for a hot minute, but I can’t wait to share it at some point.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
All I would like to add is that people should go to my website SIERRASWAN.COM and download my new EP and check out all of the other music and videos I have made, maybe buy something in my shop? It’s all there!
Watch the video for “Troubled Boy” here:
For more from Sierra Swan, find her on Facebook.
Photo courtesy of Sierra Swan
