“Many of the songs were written as a way of paying tribute to specific people, but in the end the songs took on a life of their own and I didn't worry about accuracy or biographical truth, so it's not a problem.” PeopleWayEndsProblemSongWorryWrittenTributeAccuracy Author:Michael Gira
“I am definitely less and less interested in music made by people that exist today, people that are living. I just see them as part of the whole stupid process of the music business, desperate (even if they feign indifference) to get noticed, trying to "make it" in the stinking music business, to become "famous" etc, and it disgusts me.” PeopleIfsTryingMadeWholeTodayProcessStupidIndifferenceDesperateEtcDisgustingMusic Business Author:Michael Gira
“I'm always trying to push myself into unfamiliar places with the music, sometimes without success, I have to admit. But I'd rather be there than relying on a style that people recognize and want to follow.” PeopleWantTryingSometimesStyleAlways TryingUnfamiliar Author:Michael Gira
“I got involved, for the most part, in the actual song construction, lyrics even. I didn't want to write the lyrics, but if there was a howler in there, I definitely pointed it out. Just trying to bring it up to a higher level. Of course, after a couple records, people get fed up with that. That's fine.” PeopleIfsWantWritingTryingSongCoursesLevelsRecordsFineCoupleHigherInvolvedFedsConstructionHigher LevelFed Up Author:Michael Gira
“I'm the band leader. That's not to say that the other people are my minions - they all put in a tremendous amount of personality, and push the music in ways I would never expect.” PeopleWayLeaderPersonalityAmountBandNever ExpectMinions Author:Michael Gira
“I'm pretty confident that people are going to come along for the ride. If they don't, tough.” PeopleIfsToughAlong For The Ride Author:Michael Gira
“It's good that people come to the shows because there's nothing fashionable about Swans. Never has been, really. We've never been part of a scene. So the people that come are really there for the music. Fortunately, there's a lot of young people and a burgeoning female contingent, which is good as well.” PeopleSceneFemaleFashionable Author:Michael Gira
