All material, from the compositions up to record sleeves, are by China Swallow. The same applies also to recording and production (Mika Friman is in charge here). Both members are multi-instrumentalists, capable of playing most of the instruments needed, from guitars and keyboards up to oboes and cellos. Specially noteworthy is the electric guitar sound of Pekka Rasinkangas. Occasionally guest musicians are used, however, to play the more ambitiously written strings and wind instruments.
Although Friman and Rasinkangas are self-taught composers and musicians, the music is hardly rock or pop (however memorable some of the melodies can be). Influences can be traced to music of Erik Satie, Brian and Roger Eno, Cocteau Twins and alike, and modern art music of such names as Philip Glass and Michael Nyman. Some critics have described the music also as "romantic" because of its melodic sureness and the frequent use of acoustic instruments.
Because of the uncommercial nature of the music, no record company has so far been interested in the band: all the albums are privately financed. Some record stores in Finland may have some CDs on stock, however, and you can order them also from the addresses below. As a recommendation I could mention that the leading Finnish radio program on "strange" music, Avaruusromua, had a half an hour China Swallow special when the Memoirs of Amnesiacs was released.
Contact information:
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Mika Friman
Puutarhakatu 8 as. 1 |
Pekka Rasinkangas
Humalistonkatu 10 as 10 |