Sydney's rising emo pop-punk outfit, A Swift Farewell, are making a bold statement with their hard-hitting new single, ‘The Haunting’, featuring the formidable vocals of Amariah from Future Static. This release also heralds the exciting news of their debut EP, ‘Hollow Threats’, slated to drop on June 6th.
‘The Haunting’ sees the quartet delve into their heaviest sonic territory yet. An unsettling atmosphere is immediately established with eerie children's laughter, giving way to Sarah Bonnet's commanding guitar work in an explosive introduction. Gab Michael's gritty bassline then anchors the verse, solidifying the track's dark and intense mood. The chorus marks a new direction for the band, showcasing Ryo Andi's soaring falsetto alongside Dwayne Morris's intricate and rapid drum patterns. The highly anticipated guest appearance from Amariah Cook of Future Static delivers an emotionally charged verse exploring the feeling of being too broken to love, before launching into the band's most crushing breakdown to date, perfect for a mosh pit. Those who persevere are rewarded with a final chorus brimming with emotive and energetic harmonies.
Lyrically, ‘The Haunting’ grapples with the anxieties that surface at the beginning of a new relationship, the overwhelming sense of being too damaged for intimacy. The song vividly portrays past traumas as lurking ghosts, ready to sabotage any potential connection. It encapsulates the feeling of being haunted by the past, transforming into a place others should flee before witnessing the true, flawed self and the inevitable mistakes.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Ryo Andi enthuses, “Working with Amariah has been an incredible experience. Every time I hear her voice, I'm in awe of her talent. She is such a gifted vocalist, and having her on this project has truly taken the song to the next level.”
Accompanying the single is an energetic music video, filmed at Valhalla by Viking Lounge by Niko Bon Frere and directed and edited by Ryo Andi, with additional visual effects by John Stokes from Shotpro. Inspired by the horror genre, the clip alternates between brightly lit and shadowy performance shots. Andi explains the concept: “This shoot has been an absolute blast to direct and edit. The idea revolves around switching between day and night, drawing inspiration from the horror genre. During the daytime, the room is 'brighter' to highlight life and energy, while at night, the furniture is draped with bedclothes to create a haunted, abandoned house atmosphere.”
To celebrate this release, A Swift Farewell are embarking on an East Coast tour throughout April and May. They'll be supporting Brisbane pop-punk act Bad Neighbour for several shows in Sydney and Brisbane, in partnership with AM//PM. Mid-May will see them joining Melbourne's alternative hyper-pop trio Nightlight at the Bergy Band Room for their EP launch. Having already established a strong presence in the local scene, A Swift Farewell have previously shared stages with notable acts such as As December Falls (UK), Lil Lotus (USA), Yours Truly, Hands Like Houses, Bloom, The Beautiful Monument, Alt, and Future Static, renowned for their high-octane live performances that leave audiences buzzing.
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