Laurel Canyon, golden hour and Night Walks: Swimming Bell dives into her glowing catalogue

Los Angeles-based psych-folk songwriter Katie Schottland talks crafting music for the calm.

Better known under project Swimming Bell, Schottland has been serenading folk-loving folk since 2017, her ethereal sound sending listeners into meditative states with her honey-suckle vocals, carried upon pedal steel and keys.

Now she is bringing her golden glow to Australian audiences for the first time, playing intimate venues across the country, including a stop in to play Geelong’s own the Barwon Club Hotel on 15 October.

We caught up with Schottland ahead of her tour.

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Interview with Katie Schottland of Swimming Bell.

How has being from the epicentre of folk music, Laurel Canyon, shaped your own journey as a music maker and informed Swimming Bell as a project?

I’m sure living somewhat near Laurel Canyon has seeped into my music, but to be honest I think most of my folky sound comes from my upbringing.  We used to listen to a lot of Peter Paul, and Mary, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Mamas and the Papas.  Music with rich harmonies.

You’ll be in Australia celebrating ‘The Golden Age’ and your latest EP Somnia. There are golden threads throughout your catalogue – what draws you to the colour or the representation of being “Golden”? 

That’s a great question, and one that I’ve never really considered!  My first EP was called The Golden Heart, come to think of it! haha! I don’t know, I think the colour gold, outside the context of the metal, is quite unique.  It’s warm and rich and makes everything look like magic.  The golden hour for example… there’s no other part of the day quite like it.  It clearly evokes something in me.  It can feel comforting, exciting, calming and igniting all at once.

What does Somnia stand for in terms of the album context? How did the title come to be?  

When I was making the EP, the sounds that we got felt both dreamlike, and watery to me.  I knew that I wanted to make something that was very digestible, relaxing, calming, and dreamy to combat both some inner conflict, and be soothing for folks who want to escape a bit from the chaos in the world.  Somnia as a title just felt like it fit!  It’s not necessarily sleeping, but it is dreaming.

Take me inside ‘The Golden Age’ – what narrative is connected to it? 

Sea Change has always been one of my favourite albums.  I have a song called ‘Imagine Us’ that starts with a similar chord progression, so ‘The Golden Age’ always comes to my mind whenever I start to play it.  It just kind of dawned on me that it would be fun to play ‘The Golden Age’ as a band considering I have a great pedal steel player and keyboard player.  We were kinda messing around with it one day and it felt great when they were both kinda jamming on it. I love playing it live because the opening hook is so strong when it comes in.

You said you’re currently in the studio, are you working on new music? If so, what creative space are you drawing from both lyrically and sonically for new material?  

Yes! I was just in New York visiting friends and family and working on making some new demos.  I have a concept for an album, which has never happened before I’ve written the songs.  I want it to feel like an extension of Somnia, but a bit more songwriting lyrically maybe.  Somewhere in between my older music and Somnia.  I think it’s going to be called Night Walks if that gives you a sense of the world it will be.

You’ll be taking on Australia’s touring circuit this month. Who are you bringing with you and what can audiences expect from your live show? 

I’m bringing the whole shebang!  We will be a 6 piece band (sadly I couldn’t bring my percussion player), but we will have a lush, rich groovy vibe with pedal steel, keys, and harmonies.  I think our live show is dynamic and hopefully will take people on a journey!  I’m really excited to bring my music over there!

Swimming Bell are playing at George Lane on 11 October, Lulie Tavern on 12 October and Barwon Club Hotel on 15 October. Tickets here.