Swim School: The Next Chapter

Romilly L-C

Image by Josef Hall @josefhallphotography

Emerging from their hiatus with brand new music, Swim School is working hard toward what is to be their biggest creative venture to date. I met with the band's Billy McMahon to get an insider's view into what's been happening behind the scenes over the past few months.

Before the interview ensued, I watched Billy hover over the post button of a reel, waiting for the precise time of 11 a.m. He quipped, "This is the reality of being in a band," a brief moment that comically captured the balance between artistic freedom and the pressures of modern-day promotion. Yet, it was oddly exhilarating to witness the cogs in motion of the buildup toward what promises to be their most ambitious project yet.

The Catalyst: Heaven

Recorded six months ago, 'Heaven' was initially born out of necessity—a new single to keep the momentum going. However, what started as a standalone track quickly became the catalyst for something much bigger. With its aggressive guitar-heavy, thrash-infused 90s feel, reminiscent of their grittier works like ‘Delirious’, 'Heaven' showcases Swim School's heavier side while remaining quintessentially their own, with that ethereal classic Swim School guitar. Played live for the first time at London's iconic 100 Club, it marked a bold reentry for the band.

The Creative Process: Rebirth in the Studio

Following 'Heaven', Swim School entered a prolific creative phase—eschewing archived material in favour of entirely new compositions. "We've been touring these songs for four years, and we feel we've matured as a band," Billy explains, their evolved sound now reflecting their artistic aspirations, granting them "a new lease of life." This marks the first instance of the band securing substantial studio time for a cohesive body of work. Previously, they were confined to week-long sessions for single recordings, but this hiatus has afforded them the luxury of experimentation. Enabling them to refine ideas, explore unfamiliar sonic territories, and craft work that authentically represents their identity as a band.

Over the years, Swim School has seen members come and go, but at its core remains the steadfast three-piece of Alice Johnson, Lewis Bunting, and Billy McMahon. Reflecting on their creative process, Billy remarks that it always begins simply: “with the three of us sat in a room." Their studio space in Edinburgh serves as a creative hub where ideas are born organically. Alice will likely loop a guitar riff, and from there, they build. They'll record demos on their phones and sit on them for a week or two before refining and bringing them to life with their producer, Iain Berryman, whose impressive credentials include working with Wolf Alice and Beabadoobee—artists that Swim School “love and actively go see.”

The band is not afraid to acknowledge their direct influences; they're continually inspired by bands they play with and see live, which helps shape their sound. "We could come from seeing a band that’s nothing like us and say, 'Wouldn’t it be sick if we had a song like that?'" This openness to external inspiration has allowed them to carve out a diverse sound, a reflection of their willingness to experiment and embrace new ideas. In the studio, the band worked alongside Paul Whalley, who “has his own process of writing”, which brought a fresh perspective to their creative sessions. The combination of varied studio experiences, musical influences, and opportunities to work alongside talented professionals like Iain and Paul has galvanised Swim School's creative evolution. They've embraced experimentation wholeheartedly, pushing boundaries while staying true to their identity.

Coming of Age in a Band

Alice Johnson's songwriting presents as deeply personal. We can expect to see in the future, work that weaves together themes of adolescence and touring life—a reflection of the band's journey through their twenties. "We know what we want to be now," a sentiment echoed in their recent work. Touring has been transformative. Supporting artists like Paolo Nutini and Inhaler taught them the art of "30 minutes to win a crowd over"—a skill honed during high-pressure support slots. Conversely, headline shows offer freedom: the luxury of extended sets, creative risks, and the ability to "do whatever you want", as McMahon puts it. This duality—between crowd-winning brevity and expansive self-expression—has shaped their live philosophy.

The band's restless energy extends to their setlists. "We get bored easily," McMahon admits, explaining their habit of last-minute changes to keep fans—and themselves—on their toes. This aversion to predictability mirrors their studio ethos.

Swim School recently announced the release of their new single, ‘Alone With You’, out on the 16th of April. Billy spoke about this upcoming song as something from which the rest will more easily unfold; everything they've been doing will start to become clear after that. As fans speculate about the possibility of a debut album, the band remains tight-lipped. While I cannot confirm or deny that this is an album, it's clear that we can expect this to be their most ambitious body of work yet. The anticipation is palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Swim School's journey.

On the Horizon

With their momentum building, fans can anticipate an exciting year filled with many more headline shows and fresh music releases. Additionally, the band has welcomed a new bassist, Lee Brown, who Billy notes as being “A very handsome man - make sure you put that in”, who will bring a dynamic presence to their future performances, as well as charm. With their creative energy at an all-time high, the band is well-positioned to leave a lasting impression on the music scene.