Today we’d like to introduce you to Swan Workman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in semi-rural Utah. Growing up with orchards, farmland, and homesteads all around. I learned how to work hard, how to play hard, and even at an early age how to play music. Growing up Mormon, it was common to learn a musical instrument at a young age. I started learning classical piano at age 3 and learned over the years a handful of other instruments.
My mom was passionate about instilling the value of music in us. When I hit my late teen years, I became rather rebellious. I left the church, joined a thrash metal band as their frontman/lead singer, and would continue playing thrash metal for a few years. Screaming at the top of my lungs regularly.
After my first daughter was born, while I still had a passion for music, I found work and parenting responsibilities were pulling a lot of my time, and I stopped playing for a number of years. In hindsight, I should have and could have kept playing, but I let other things take priority. I slowly started getting back into writing music as my daughter got older. First, just plucking around, then eventually going back into full writing mode and performing again.
Over my life, I was exposed to a broad variety of music tastes, styles, cultures, etc. And many of them have managed to work their way into the way I write. Having a classical background does make much of the writing I do a bit easier. But you can certainly hear hints of metal, punk, country, ska, blues, and more in my sound.
I’m glad I came back to music. I love telling stories through the medium of audio, and with our rock and roll shows, I love to ensure we bring a full visual experience with it as well. I play both under my name “Swan Workman” and with my band “Swan and The Holy Mediocrity” depending on the show we’re going to play.
We’re in the process now of gearing up to tour in the coming months. Releasing a new album soon, and playing a lot locally now. It’s a very exciting time for us.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, nothing in life is smooth. I’ve been through my fair share of heartache certainly. Raising my daughter as a single parent for a time is probably one of the most shaping experiences for my character today. That and nearly losing my life to an infection I battled for almost a year and a half.
Those two situations really hardened me up with my resolve, yet at the same time taught me a ton of compassion and patience. Even with our recent band these past two years, we had a very rough start, and I nearly threw in the towel on more than one occasion. It was very difficult for a while to keep consistent band members beyond some of our core members.
Because it felt like we were constantly cycling through members, we hardly learned material beyond the basics we started with. So the vision of a big theatrical show seemed as though it would never happen. But persistence and dedication pay off. And here we are finally, ready to take on the world.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an entertainer and storyteller first. It’s an important distinction to understand where my music comes from. I’m a musician also, but a musician second. I use music as my primary vessel for telling stories and entertaining others, but it’s not all I do. I bring a theatrical visual experience, as well as write stories to accompany it. I’d say it’s a multi-medium format for storytelling with music as the centerpiece.
Why do I choose music as the primary vessel? Because it’s universal. People can enjoy music in small bites much easier than other methods. Music can connect with our emotions and find a home in our heads much quicker and with much longer durability than other methods.
Even my music videos, have a very different feel to them than many music videos that are out there. I try to ensure the storytelling element is captured through the visuals. What am I known for? putting on a show and creating catchy chorus lines. I get told often that my music is stuck in someone’s head. I take pride in that.
What sets me apart? You’re going to have an experience unlike any other when you come to our shows. We like to keep you glued to your seat so you don’t miss what is coming up next. You give up a couple of hours on a night when you come to watch us. You take a chance. And I want to make sure your expectations are delivered.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Very little. I don’t believe luck has much to do with a lot. To an extent, there is an element of luck, but opportunities are created mostly by you staying focused on your vision, preparing yourself for success, and grinding toward your goal always.
Luck follows those who lay the groundwork and put in the time. Opportunities are attracted to those who can take advantage of them. And you prepare yourself to take advantage of them by putting in the time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/swanworkman
- Instagram: instagram.com/swanworkman
- Facebook: Facebook.com/swandreamweaver
- Twitter: twitter.com/swanworkman
- Youtube: YouTube.com/swanworkman
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Ju5LHl1c6krmoPQAStx8F?si=zbqODolpR2mrcZR8P6xvQQ
Image Credits
Humble Lyons
