2008 Woodie Awards
First name basis: the sweet sadness of Swati
New York singer/songwriter takes the long road to success by releasing debut album at 34 years old
Amy Farnsworth
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Arts and Entertainment
Swati took her friend's advice and did the only thing she knew-she picked up her guitar and started looking for inspiration everywhere she went.
Many songs on her album come from real-life experiences, such as the song "2 o'clock in the a.m." The lyrics for the emotionally charged ballad came to her when she was standing on the roof of her apartment building during a stormy night, as she stared out at New York City.
She sings with sweet sadness, "Well it's 2 o'clock in the morning / And the lights in the city have died / but the other half has been left on / I wanna know if you're afraid of the dark."
The song "Blackjack" was also written during a trying time in Swati's life, and according to her, "It's all true."
The heartbreaking song was written after Swati had been recovering from a breakup. She ventured onto the streets one night, under the influence, when she ran into a call girl.
"I never knew that being so up could make you feel so down," she said, as she told the story.
Swati asked the girl what she charged, and asked her if she would hang out with her for the night. The call girl agreed as long as she would pay her $150 an hour.
Sometime during the night, Swati and the girl ended up in a casino, playing blackjack, and that's where the melancholy song conspired.
As for her new album, Swati explained that the song writing and music on her first album comes from her personal battle with depression and her desire to use her music to connect with listeners.
"Expect to hear something up front and honest-not something smooth and perfect. It's the real deal," she says.
Small Gods will be released on BluHammock records April 17.
Many songs on her album come from real-life experiences, such as the song "2 o'clock in the a.m." The lyrics for the emotionally charged ballad came to her when she was standing on the roof of her apartment building during a stormy night, as she stared out at New York City.
She sings with sweet sadness, "Well it's 2 o'clock in the morning / And the lights in the city have died / but the other half has been left on / I wanna know if you're afraid of the dark."
The song "Blackjack" was also written during a trying time in Swati's life, and according to her, "It's all true."
The heartbreaking song was written after Swati had been recovering from a breakup. She ventured onto the streets one night, under the influence, when she ran into a call girl.
"I never knew that being so up could make you feel so down," she said, as she told the story.
Swati asked the girl what she charged, and asked her if she would hang out with her for the night. The call girl agreed as long as she would pay her $150 an hour.
Sometime during the night, Swati and the girl ended up in a casino, playing blackjack, and that's where the melancholy song conspired.
As for her new album, Swati explained that the song writing and music on her first album comes from her personal battle with depression and her desire to use her music to connect with listeners.
"Expect to hear something up front and honest-not something smooth and perfect. It's the real deal," she says.
Small Gods will be released on BluHammock records April 17.
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