Swayfever Images Courtesy of We are Example

Swayfever had been handpicked by The Presets as the emerging artist to open for the first installment of the Smirnoff Origins event series at Club 77, February 2nd. The procession of one-night only intimate gigs will take place across the eastern coast of Australia, paying homage to the venues which gave start to some of Australia’s biggest music artists. The emerging artist will also receive a $5,000 performance fee, double gold tickets to Splendour in the Grass 2023 (valued at $1,200), their very own feature in Rolling Stone magazine (valued at $20,000), and Smirnoff Advertising support worth $30,000, giving them a platform to be discovered.

Barry McBride took time out before the event to talk to Music Festivals Australia about 3am basslines, the inspiration of life and what the opportunity to open for The Presets really means.

Tell us, who is Swayfever?

Swayfever is the flamboyant boogie craving diva alter ego of Barry McBride

Your latest release “Can’t Get Enough” is deeply rooted in house music. Is this typical to the music you create? How would you describe your sound?

House music is definitely the foundation of Swayfever. My music has always been firmly established in house music as it was the genre that sparked my curiosity with DJing and later producing.

In saying that, I don’t want to corner myself as I also take a lot of influence from a plethora of genres spanning from Disco and Garage through to Rock and DnB. In short, my sound is a blend of 70s disco and modern house.

Who do you attribute to your music influences?

The biggest influences on my music right now would be Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaur, Disclosure, Roosevelt, The Presets (obviously), Franc Moody, Rufus Du Sol, Fred Again and Motez. This list is ever-changing and constantly growing.

Can you explain the creative process behind your music? What inspires you?

My creative process can begin with simple things like waking up at 3 am with a bassline on repeat in my head that I have to quickly whisper into a phone recorder before I forget as I try not to wake my partner. Or hearing an amazing vocal acapella from a 70’s soul track I’ve stumbled upon while going through a spotify rabbit hole and thinking “I have to sample that!”.

It is a cliche but life inspires me. From recording everyday sounds on my way to work or just attempting to capture emotion through my music, good and bad- even feelings you can't even understand and trying to translate them through sound.

You have been chosen by The Presets as an opening act for the first installment of Smirnoff Origins, February 2nd at Club 77 in Sydney. What does this opportunity mean to you?

I am beyond appreciative for the opportunity! The Presets have been and are still such a huge influence on me as a musician so it's going to be a very special night. Honestly this all doesn’t feel real - I think when I meet Julian and Kim it might.

As an adult I’ve come to realize that music is the one thing that will forever give me a purpose that is indescribable and so fulfilling. This means everything to me.

To also get a feature in Rolling Stone is so surreal. The team are so lovely and I’m so excited for the interview and photoshoot.

Swayfever and The Presets Club 77 Images Courtesy of We are Example

What can we expect from Swayfever’s upcoming performance at Club 77?

All I can say is that it will be a journey of only the sweetest nectar beats :D

Apart from The Presets, who else would you like to collaborate with?

Without any hesitation I’d have to say Orlando Higginbottom (the mastermind behind Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs) - he's such a beautiful singer/songwriter and producer.

I also couldn’t leave out Howard and Guy Lawrence from Disclosure. Wow! Such incredible musicians and producers. To just have a few hours to pick at their brains I’ll die a happy man.

What advice would you give to other upcoming artists who are trying to make their way in the music industry?

“Write music that you love and are passionate about. Hard times and doubts are inevitable but will pass so stay persistent. Get weird with sounds during the songwriting process and collaborate and play live as much as you can.”

— Barry McBride (Swayfever)

What’s next for Swayfever?

Extremely ecstatic to be flying to Sydney on Thursday for the Smirnoff Origins event with The Presets.

Heaps of new music on the way and planning a bunch of shows across the country.

Giddy up!

Swayfever artist links below