She Swings, She Sways Goes International... well... sort of.

Just recently, Diana left us to study in Brazil. Why she would want to leave all this for sun and sandy beaches, we have no idea. Here she is:

"Helllllllo She Swings Fans and Friends!!

I am writing you from a little cafe Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina, Brasil (google it, its gorgeous!!). The weather lately has been a little rainy, but still NOTHING compared to you poor folks there!

The first couple weeks here have been crazy, exciting, and scary all at the same time! I think one of my biggest accomplishments this week was finally figuring out the bus system...ugh I'm such a small town Iowa girl!

I MISS MY KEYBOARD!!!!!!!! Two weeks without playing music...I feel like an addict without my drug :( but I spend a lot of time listening to music to make up for it. I am SO excited for our upcoming album can't wait can't wait can't WAIT!!! You all are going to like it very much indeed :)

Anyway, if anyone wants to come visit...I only live two blocks from the beach :) if anyone is EXTREMELY interested in my travels, feel free to check out my blog at www.dianagarles.blogspot.com :) its a nice and friendly way to keep people posted eh? Otherwise, I'll keep sending little notes here and there...

Much love!

-Diana"

The Sweetest Kind of Fan Mail -- Ss,Ss is for Lovers!

Here's a message we received from Carrie in Kansas City:

"I absolutely love your music. My boyfriend introduced me to it on our first date and ive been addicted since then. We used to take long road trips all the time and when i would start to fall asleep he would play Lullaby and sing it to me. He used to have to travel 2 hours every weekend to come see me before we moved in together and said he would listen to What I Wouldnt Do all the way to my house. Your music is original, beautiful, kinda strange sometimes (in a good, fun way), and im happy i got introduced to you guys. Some time in the future youre going to be getting an email from the boyfrirnd or I to sing at our wedding because thats what he wants for his wedding present. You are all an amazing band. Keep up the great work and i cant wait to see you in concert in KC!!!! much love, Carrie"


I teared up a bit when I read this. Carrie, we'd be honored. 


-Troy

Six Sad Songs

A lot of people have asked us about this, so we're giving it to all!

In 2008, each member of the band wrote and recorded his/her own song on a Tascam four track for Valentines Day. We think the project turned out well. To download it for free, go here:

http://www.purevolume.com/sheswingsshesways/albums/Six+Sad+Songs

Track Listing:

1. On the Ground, by Wes VanAntwerp
2. Shrug it Off, by John Gordon
3. Two Paths, by Jason Bolinger
4. War Song, by Cory Canny
5. Love, Shirleena, by Troy Morgan
6. The Least You Could Do, by Diana Garles

-Troy

Youtube Finds

Here are some interesting clips I found on Youtube featuring us or our music.

First, a trip across South Korea with a floating head set to "What I Wouldn't Do":



Now, a little kid rocking out to "He Loves Me," probably the cutest thing ever:



And then, just us, playing the Redstone Room in Davenport, IA.




This is great, people. Keep this kind of stuff coming. We love it. -Troy

Cory and Jess are Gettin' Hitched!!

Don't they make a lovely couple? That's right, friends - Our own Cory Canny and merch gal Jessica Middleton are now engaged. It happened at the Middleton family Christmas, which I had the honor of attending. They're looking at dates sometime in 2011 for the wedding.

Of course, we'd all like the wedding to happen sooner, but Jessica insists that she "plan" the thing. Congratulations, Cory and Jess. We knew it was just a matter of time. -Troy

Oliver di Place - Wasted Love Songs Review

She Swings, She Sways is a six piece band. Between them, they can top the usual drums and bass with twin acoustic guitars plus electric guitar and piano. Or acoustic guitar with two electric guitars and trumpet. They can add in a mandolin or harmonica. And guests on the album bring fiddle, pedal steel, and French horn into the mix. The bass player plays a stand up bass, but sometimes he bows it instead of the usual plucking. So She Swings, She Sways can use a lot of different musical textures. They do so, but with great subtlety, and the whole thing holds together beautifully. But Wasted Love Songs is an album that rewards repeated listens, because there is so much going on musically. Some songs are mostly acoustic, while others rock out. Sometimes both things happen in the same song. There is even the occasional waltz...

Continue reading the review at http://oliverdiplace.blogspot.com/2009/11/she-swings-she-sways-wasted-love-songs.html

Tour in Pictures and Perspective (Troy's that is.)

Photos, recollections, and reflections on our S4 Outing of '09.

We do this when we leave; we do this when we get home, and we do this a whole damn lot in between. Cory and I take loading seriously. We think our first trip with a trailer was a clear success. I open with this photo because it sums up how I see the tour. I kinda even love the labor. According to the cheesily titled "Rock Bible," "You don't get paid to play in front of people. You get paid to sit in a smelly bus or van with your bandmates' collective body funks, listen to your bandmates snore in hotel rooms, eat at Waffle Houses and Mexican Joints, load-unload-setup-and-tear-down equipment . . . and drive all night to get back home to go to work the next day. It's a privilege to play in front of people."

At the Fourth Street Theater, Des Moines, IA

We gave a recital. Imagine more strings and horns.



We brought a little guitar for in-van entertainment.

Captain Jimmie Lee Dalton during our mid-tour sailing expedition on Lake Erie

And we often sang this song:

"Jimmie is the captain of our ship (OF OUR SHIP!)
Jimmie is the captain of our ship (OF OUR SHIP!)
The ship is a tanker, and JIMMIE IS A WANKER!
Jimmie is the captain of our ship (OF OUR SHIP!)"

We changed the name often, of course.

At the Uptown, Minneapolis

John likes to channel the Holy Spirit through the acoustic guitar his wife gave him for his birthday. That bright smear of light there is the spirit. See! It exists, and we have photos to prove it.

Restringing his Guitar, Unknown Stage

There was much less string breaking on this trip. Cory and John finally got some decent guitars.

At the River Music Experience, Davenport, IA

We played with some kids in loud rock and roll bands. Then they all stuck around for this mad accordion drama.

At A.K. O'Connor's in Des Moines

Well, this doesn't happen often. But when it does, I turn red because I'm so full of awesome. John actually held his own on the bullfiddle. I'm thinking a side project is in order.

Our photographer, Jessica Middleton

 

This is Jess, our merchgal and band business generalist. She loads equipment, sells our stuff, manages the streaming of shows, does on the road finances, and takes photos. We love her dearly.

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