Swoll

SWOLL is the minimal, low-end-heavy electronic-rock project of Baltimore-based singer-songwriter Matthew Dowling. His latest musical venture, SWOLL, marries elements of pop, electro, rock and trap with major emphasis on grooves while skirting a balanced minimalism. The artist began playing music over two decades ago. Over the last ten years, Dowling’s been actively involved in the DC music scene, playing bass for bands such as Deleted Scenes (Park the Van Records), the EFFECTS (Dischord Records), Paperhaus (Misra Records), Joy Buttons, and more. After the dissolution of Deleted Scenes in 2014, Dowling started working with Benjamin Schurr (Br'er/Blight Records) on a series of sparse, melancholic, yet hook-driven new songs. Utilizing limitations as a compositional tool, the duo focused on a spare sonic palate of old drum machines, bass, baritone guitar and haunting synths, thus giving birth to the band SWOLL which also includes band member Erik Sleight. SWOLL is led by Dowling's falsetto floating atop chugging bass lines, contrasting with dark, growling beats, giving the music both an intimate and powerful presence. Using this experiential approach, Dowling’s musicality unfolds in a deep, eclectic soundscape textured in resonating melodies and honest lyricism, blending together part psychedelic rock with dark electro synth pop. Following their self-titled debut album released last year, SWOLL will be releasing their second album in Fall 2019.