Meet Swimming Bell

Let us ring in the good vibes with the steady driving heartfelt tunes of Swimming Bell. Swimming Bell is the solo project of the wonderful Katie Schottland. Since the release of their 2019 album Wild Sight, the artist has cemented themselves as a powerful voice on the scene. The artist’s use of space to generate both atmosphere and intimacy something to behold. In our latest interview, we chat with the artist about family, bats, and movie soundtracks.

A Self-Portrait by, Swimming Bell

Would You Rather

be trapped in an elevator alone, or with two other people? Who would you want to be trapped with?

I think I'd most like to be trapped with two of my best friends. One is named Allison and the other is Marj. We make each other laugh, and I have no doubt that we would either figure out how to get out or at least laugh and have fun until we died of dehydration/starvation.

Some Questions with Swimming Bell

How does it feel looking back on your 2019 year release “Wild Sight”?

2019 was a big year for me! I put out "Wild Sight" and was able to tour a bunch both solo and with my band. It was busy in the best way. I toured in the UK and France, and throughout the west coast, east coast, and the south. It feels great to look back and see how much I accomplished in 2019. 2020 has been quite a different story... for obvious reasons.

Who was a significantly influential family member growing up?

My Grandpa Stan was very influential growing up... he was the funniest person I've ever known. He was an entrepreneur, an entertainer, and so supportive. I came to music later in life and felt some disapproval from my Dad in particular, so it felt great when I played one of my first songs for Grandpa Stan when he was in his last days. He took me by the hand and said, "Katie, you have a voice for recording. It's so beautiful. I'm so proud of you and excited for you." I felt like a million bucks. Stan lived to be 96 and he was a legend.

Has the current lockdown affected your creative process?

I've had a hard time getting motivated to write. I find myself writing half of a song and giving up because it all seems pretty inconsequential. It feels like we are all processing so much at once that there isn't much space to just create. The weight of everything is just too heavy right now.

What kind of music was playing in your house when you were growing up? Has it affected the music you are making today under Swimming Bell?

My parents listened to The Beatles, Beach Boys, Mamas and the Papas, John Denver, Peter, Paul, and Mary, CSNY, and pretty much anything folky. Oh yeah, and Genesis and also lots of classical music. All of it definitely influenced me a lot! I learned how to harmonize and I always loved ballads. I still listen to a lot of the same music I grew up with. I do listen to it differently now since I started making my own records.

If you had control of all bats on the earth what would you do with them?

I'd probably just make sure they were healthy and had nice caves to live in. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

As a solo project how important is a collaboration to Swimming Bell?

Collaboration is very important when it comes to working with my friend, Oli Deakin. He has created the canvas for me to paint on. Typically we will workshop a song and talk about the production before recording. I love collaborating with Oli because he brings his ideas to the table and also translates mine. We also always laugh a lot.

What movie has your favorite soundtrack?

Hmm.. thats a hard one. The first ones that come to mind are Trainspotting and Pulp Fiction. They're classics though. I always seem to revert to things from my 20's. Maybe that's when most music and art were imprinted on me.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

I just hope that the world can heal a bit so people can feel more settled and healthy. I'd also like to get back to finishing my next record.