"All I Die For" by SWiiMS
“All I Die For” by SWiiMS is the tune at the top of episode 24 of blank mood, reason being I LOVE THIS SONG. There’s a bad-ass bass undertow and wistful yet assured female vocals with all the right guitar sound layers enhancing the emotions. The drums are solid, dynamic at the right moments without getting in the way. Everything and everyone just seems so right in this song. And really, this extends to SWiiMS entire album, Into The Blue Night; it’s 42 minutes of perfectly blended dream pop and indie rock.
SWiiMS, self-described as “an indie rock outfit from Toronto, Canada”, is composed of Mai Diaz Langou, Colin Thompson, Cian O’Ruanaidh and Craig McCann. Their album Into The Blue Night was released in November 2023 [Mint 400 Records]. This album and their debut EP Through Waves have been well received by North American college and community radio. Not a surprise, as I would have been pretty excited about their sound as a college radio DJ in the late 90s.
“All I Die For” is about the beginning stages of a relationship, how you try to make yourself more intriguing or impressive than you are in order to keep that person interested,” explained Mai Diaz Langou of SWiiMS. “It also describes the feeling of hopefulness, bliss and loss of control that the start of any new relationship brings.”
Cover artwork for Into The Blue Night was created by Mai.
“We are a very DIY band, both Mai and Cian are very good with video and art,” said Colin Thompson. “We shot the video for “All I Die For” throughout the city (of Toronto), the main location being a little oasis park in the middle of downtown. The other shots of the city are from Cian riding the streetcar.”
SWiiMS is headed into 2025 with a few live shows lined up and is in the midst of writing their next album. You can read and listen to more SWiiMS at their website, including a live version of “All I Die For”.