‘Records In My Life’ met with Michael Gira, founding member of the band Swans, before their appearance in Vancouver, last month. He discussed with us some of his earliest and most influential records, including albums by Frank Zappa, and a rare one by Charlemagne Palestine!

On June 17, iconic avant-rock ensemble Swans released The Glowing Man the fourth and final studio album from this line-up since their reactivation by band primum mobile Michael Gira in 2010 after a 14 year hiatus. This will be followed by their customary year-long world-wide tour celebrating the release after which Gira says, “I’ll continue to make music under the name Swans, with a revolving cast of collaborators…touring will definitely be less extensive.”

Swans on RIML references the following albums:
1. Songs of the South
2. South Pacific
3. Chubby Checker – The Twist
4. The Doors – The Doors
5. The Doors – Strange Days
6. The Mothers of Invention – Freak Out
7. .The Mothers of Invention – Absolutely Free
8. The Mothers of Invention – We’re Only In It For the Money
9. Charlemange Palestine – Strumming Music