Birch Swart is like a living variety pack. All the flavors live within this one talented musician. You can open a can of indie folk, pop, reggae, rock, blues or country flavors in this six pack. And by the way, my Local Catch of the Week Birch Swart from Scituate also loves bluegrass music.

There’s no need to define music that makes you feel good. Like listening to the Beach Boys”Sloop John B,” soaking up the sun on a July day, Swart’s music is warm. It’s a little California, honestly. This New Englander brings hints of Jack Johnson and James Taylor. Listening to Birch’s “I’ll Be Your Friend First,” is a smooth float on a pontoon, sipping a mojito. His music is trust, truth, timing, and plenty of warm tones.

Let my Local Catch of the Week Birch Swart from Scituate take you on a voyage. You can hear his song, and get to know the singer/songwriter from the South Shore. It all started for Swart at home. His musical family exposed Birch to all kinds of music, and by middle school he was performing. You can hear it in his lyrics, his music and vocals that Birch Swart was born to be doing what he’s doing.

• The Music

  “I’ll Be Your Friend First” is an original song from Birch Swart’s 4 song EP. He says it’s ” a representation of my songwriting/my bluegrass influence. Each song is supposed to be felt in the heart and listened to more than once in order to process the big picture. This EP is the first release of all these tunes and will be followed by a full bluegrass album release by 2024.

  Take a listen to “I’ll Be Your Friend First”

• The Story

  • From: Grew up in: Scituate Massachusetts
  • Current single: “I’ll Be Your Friend First.”
  • Album: From the Heart
  • What lead you to music: I grew up in an artistic/musical family. Music is my release, my love, my passion and my life. What lead me to music was the idea that I can create an audible piece of art and give people a glimpse of how I perceive the world. I try to write music that people can connect to or feel in the heart.
  • How long have you been performing: Since I was in the 6th Grade so about 10 years now.
  • First country song you learned: Im very into bluegrass so most of my “country” knowledge lies in that vein of existence, but I fondly remember learning John Denver and James Taylor tunes around a campfire as a kid.
  • How would you describe your sound: My sound is a little bit of everything. I have a reggae band, a solo acoustic career and a pop/rock jam band.
  • Who inspires you:  I was raised on Bob Marley, Greg Brown, Jerry Garcia, The Beatles, Doc Watson, Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenrieter, David Grisman and a variety of other musicians. As of lately, Sierra Ferrell and Geroge Jones have been huge inspirations.
  • If you are a band, how did you get your name: My band is called The Birch Swart Band because its my name but the reggae band is called the Wildflower Dub Squad. That name came about when my great friend Chris threw out the name.
  • Dream duet partner: Billy Strings or Donavon Frankenrieter
  • All- time favorite country song: :I cant get there from here – George Jones
  • First country concert: Brian Wilson – Pet Sounds in 2000 as a 3 month old
  • If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing: Id be farming and Id probably be a poet.
  • Day Job: Musician
  • Most proud moment: I find myself growing with every performance so I continue to be proud and hold myself to higher standards. Im honored to be playing on the Levitate Music Festival lineup this year alongside my girlfriend, father and my close friends. This is a bill filled with my heroes so im so grateful.
  • Crazy thing that happened in your music career: I got asked to play with Donavon Frankenrieter at age 13. Changed my whole perspective on how attainable being a live performer was.
  • Other things you like to do: Surf, Skateboard, cook, run, hike, camp and travel.
  • Fun facts: Im a vegetarian/live a very simple yet fulfilled life.
  • Mantra: Love yourself, love those around you and leave a positive impact on this world.

   

   

• The Shows

  July 8: Levitate Music Festival-at the Marshfield Fairgrounds, 140 Main St. Marsfield, MA

  

• The Social Network

  

• Pics And Posts

  

  

  Sound Cloud

• Are YOU a Catch?

  Every week, Kruser’s Local Catch highlights New England’s homegrown country music talent, and tells you where to catch them locally and in Nashville. Click here to view previous catches.

  *Singer/Songwriters With Original Music: Please Submit For Consideration On The Local Catch By Emailing: [email protected]

  

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