By Jami Moran
Swollen Members are back with a new CD and more energy than ever.
When you sit down for an interview with Swollen Members, the first thing that comes to mind is, “Wow, these guys are having a blast!” They’re travelling the world, rubbing elbows with music’s elite and creating their own hip-hop movement across North America. With the highly anticipated release of their latest album, Black Magic, the band returns to the dark signature sounds and aggressive beats their fans have come to expect.
FASHION18’s Jami Moran recently caught up with Prevail, Mad Child and newest member Rob the Viking to get more on their music, style and celebrity crushes.
FASHION18: Describe your new album.
Prevail: The album is called Black Magic and it’s a bit abstract. We did some experimenting with this one.
F18: Tell me about your blog (www.swollenmembers.com, www.myspace.com/swollenmembers).
P: It’s good to keep updated and to stay fresh. We’re starting a movement and with the blog the fans want to be a part of that.
F18: Best gig so far?
Madchild: L.A. is my favourite city in the world. We did a show there recently and, with the cameras and the energy playing live, it was great.
F18: Musical influences?
P: Swollen Members inspired ourselves. On this new album we were able to work with a lot of guests. It’s best to make music with friends.
F18: Dream musical collaborations?
P: AC/DC.
M: Q-Tip.
F18: Describe your personal styles.
P: I love custom-made, so I’m the only person with this look.
M: Forward-thinking with attention to detail.
F18: Your style icons?
P: My friend Sima Kumar—she’s a stylist.
M: I would have to say pro skaters.
F18: Fashion obsessions of the moment?
M: Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
F18: Can’t leave home without?
P: My vintage belt.
M: My retro-specs, vintage glasses.
F18: Currently listening to?
P: Black Magic, Ghostface, Nelly Furtado, Roots.
M: Johnny Cash.
F18: The last movies you watched?
P: Brick.
M: Nacho Libre.
F18: Your ideal romantic dates?
P: A hot air balloon ride over Paris and then a nice dinner, with me doing the cooking.
M: A five-city jet shopping tour—with Prevail doing the cooking.
F18: Your celebrity crushes?
P: Eva Longoria, Reese Witherspoon.
M: Scarlett Johansson.
F18: Fave karaoke songs?
P: “Back in Black” by AC/DC.
M: “Under the Bridge” (“Bridge Over Troubled Water”) by Johnny Cash.