swim school: Edinburgh's Dreamy Indie Rock Export
swim school is a Scottish indie rock band from Edinburgh known for their shimmering guitar textures and candid lyricism. The quartet has built a dedicated following through a series of energetic EPs and dynamic live performances across the UK festival circuit.
Early career
swim school formed in Edinburgh in 2018, initially bonding over a shared love of 90s alternative rock and modern shoegaze. The founding members—vocalist and guitarist Alice Johnson, guitarist Matt Mitchell, bassist Billy McMahon, and drummer Adam Brown—began crafting their sound in local rehearsal spaces, quickly developing a reputation for their intense and melodic live shows.
Their early demos caught attention online, leading to their first official single releases in 2019. This initial buzz was solidified with their debut EP, making sense of it all, in 2021, which showcased their signature blend of driving rhythms and ethereal vocals.
Breakthrough
The band's breakthrough moment arrived with their 2022 EP, drifting away. This release captured a wider audience and significant critical praise for its polished yet raw emotional delivery. Tracks from this EP received substantial airplay on national radio stations like BBC Radio 1, with DJs like Jack Saunders championing their sound.
This growing prominence led to tours supporting acts like The Mysterines and a coveted slot at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. Their consistent output and compelling stage presence established swim school as a notable force in the UK's new wave of guitar music.
Key tracks
let me inside your head — This early single defined their core sound, pairing fuzzy basslines with Johnson's soaring, introspective vocals.
outside — A track that gained traction on streaming platforms, notable for its explosive chorus and themes of social anxiety.
sweet relief — Featured on the drifting away EP, this song highlights their dynamic range, shifting from quiet verses to a powerful, cathartic release.
anyway — This later single demonstrated a maturation in their songwriting, incorporating sharper production and an anthemic quality that resonated strongly during live sets.
The band continues to evolve, releasing the there’s a big star outside… EP in 2024. Their music maintains a direct, guitar-driven core while exploring more atmospheric soundscapes, suggesting a promising trajectory for future albums. Fans of the Scottish indie rock scene should also explore The Snuts, who share a similar knack for anthemic, guitar-based songcraft. The jangly, heartfelt approach of The View offers another point of reference from the UK. For the dreamier, shoegaze-influenced side of their sound, Wolf Alice is a clear parallel. The raw energy and candid lyricism of Sports Team also aligns with swim school's live intensity.
swim school's music is a staple on modern alternative rock radio stations and online rock radio streams that champion emerging guitar talent. Their tracks are frequently featured on shows dedicated to new music discovery, ensuring their resonant sound reaches eager audiences.
You can hear the music of swim school on the alternative and indie rock radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover their growing discography by tuning into the radio stations available on onairium.com.
