Swift Technique
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2007 | SELF
Music
Press
Next up was the high energy Philly based eight piece Funk Band SWIFT TECHNIQUE. Formed in 2007 this band has been busy recording, performing, & touring the USA & I can see why! Made up of a strong 3 piece brass section, hard driving bass, kick ass guitar & drums, sexy sultry vocalist Chelsea Viacara & phenomenal keyboardist Jay Davidson (who I am proud to say, I have performed with myself) this band rocks!
Swift Technique @ Ardmore Music Hall
Hey, I didn’t even mind the bit of Hip Hop thrown in! Each instrument’s sound rang clearly, and Chelsea’s vocals were strong and sultry. This stunning beauty who sounded and resembled Nora Jones, wrapped up with Joss Stone from the long lanky body, to the bare feet, was ever so powerful. The energy and connection this tight band has just made me want to get up and groove and this joint was jumping’! They brought their antics on stage, making the show as visually interesting as it sounded, and when I though the horn section was off on a bathroom break, they soon appeared on the balcony, and then on the dance floor, horns blowing hard. Their dedication to putting on a great show is worth all the effort they put into it.
Swift Technique @ Ardmore Music Hall
The M&Ms are a “super group” that brings together some of the best members of some of the best bands playing the new New Orleans sounds. Medeski and Mercurio, the rhythm section of Galactic, Medeski (MMW and many others), and Papa Mali, the Nola legend discovered by many as the front man of 7 Walkers. Their music started out fairly straight forward, which was great, as the first notes let everyone settle in with comforting funk with guitar and piano parts that were on the jazz side of the spectrum. Before long they introduced some jams that took off into the avant grade, and Medeski and Mali followed each other down some deep alleyways, while keeping it real and danceable. - Tri State Indie
For a band fresh off of the first leg of their “Don’t You Want to Look at Us?” tour, eight-piece funk ensemble Swift Technique has sure drawn a lot of attention. These local Philadelphians riled up the crowd during their frenetic funk throwdown Thursday night at the Blockley. With so many musicians onstage, this octet naturally brings a high energy, layered sound to their music, containing a heavy funk horn section bursting forth from trumpet, trombone, and saxophone like fourth of July fireworks. With these elements is a perfect mixture of smooth melodic bass lines and a crunchy clean rhythm guitar that manages to harness these wild ostentatious grooves. With the help Jay Davidson’s keys and Mike Mahoney’s swingin’ uptempo drumbeats, the band induces a filthy, funklicious dance party. At one point near the end of their set, the horn section hopped off stage to tromp around the bar, forming a full-fledged conga line, stopping amongst the crowd to get down with their instruments. This band certainly knows how to draw the energy from the crowd to put on a truly amazing performance. After a brief west coast stint in August, Swift Technique returns to Philly on August 23rd for a show at The Hard Rock Cafe with ILL Doots and The Royal Noise. - That Music Mag
Discography
Check out both of our NEW releases here:
http://www.swifttechnique.com/music
Photos
Bio
The past year has marked several exciting changes for Philly's fiery funksters, Swift Technique. Most recently, the band has added electric lead female vocalist. With the addition of a strong female vocal prowess, the band has developed a dynamic new element to the Swift Tech sound. After joining forces with booking guru, Jake Weaver, the band has recently debuted in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New Orleans, Nashville and Savannah. With the release of the EP, "you boys be aight", the future continues to look very bright for this Philadelphia Funk Force.
After forming in 2007, Swift Technique has relentlessly toured, performed and recorded throughout the US. The extremely positive chemistry shared by the band has always been translated in the live setting. With the 2013 release of, "you boys be aight", Swift Technique has now established themselves as an up and coming force in the recording industry. Although the group draws from many world influences, their genre is uniquely Philadelphia.
Throughout their short history, Swift Technique has had the privilege to hold direct support slots for The Meters, Wu-Tang Clan, The M& M's ( Stanton Moore-Galactic, Papa Mali), Deep Banana Blackout, Jen Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Al Scheiner (Moe), North Mississippi All Stars, Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra), Clay Parnell (Particle/BioDiesl/Brothers Past), Allen Aucion (Disco Biscuits), Dopapod, and Soulive, Kermit Ruffins, Wale, Questlove of the Roots, Keri Hilson, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Orgone, Kung Fu, Mr. Lif, The Fela! Band and others. Swift Technique has also performed at the Philadelphia Experiment PEX Festival, The Northeast Kingdom Music Festival in VT, The Muddy River Jam Festival in NJ, Ars Nova ANTfest in New York City and Grassroots Festival in Ithaca, among others. After a string of hometown performances in 2007 and 2008, Swift Technique was named one of the top 10 Hip-Hop bands in Philadelphia by The Deli Magazine.
In recent years, Swift Technique has worked with CEG (NYC), NOLA Funk (NYC), Hood Booking (DC), The Backbeat Foundation (New Orleans), Rock On Concerts (Boston), Rocks Off Concert Cruises (NYC) and WXPN (Philly). The group has also performed at the country’s top venues including Sullivan Hall, B.B. King's & Brooklyn Bowl (NYC), The Middle East (Boston), Blue Nile (New Orleans), The Mint (Los Angeles), Hotel Utah (San Francisco), The National Underground (Nashville), The Iron Horse (Northampton, MA), The Spot Underground (Providence, RI), Nectar’s (Burlington, VT), Double Door (Chicago), World Cafe Live & the TLA (Philly), 8X10 (Baltimore), The Hamilton (DC). The creativity and drive of Swift Technique continues to flourish as the band prepares to enter their seventh year.
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