Swimming Monkey is the project of multi instrumentalist James Rutherford from Hamilton, Ohio (USA), maybe also known as the lead singer of the band “Sadistic Chiwawa”. By his own account his one-man orchestra is influenced by Art Rock of the 70ies and 80ies, thinking of bands like Blue Öyster Cult, King Crimson or Pink Floyd, ranging from Ambient to Progressive Rock. According to this James’ music stands out due to elaborate songwriting and composition, narrative arrangements and versatile instrumentations. No wonder that he works on film scores as well. With these tools of the trade James draws the bow from Pop in the truest sense of the word to some sort of Wave and Industrial Rock, from placeable to disturbing atmospheres.
In addtion to this his remarkable voice will catch your ear: strong and clear, strangely intimate, which always keeps the listener grounded and gives hope even in the most distorted musical moments. And that’s his intention actually – with the music, but also with the lyrics: Just giving people some hope.
Thus with Swimming Monkey James develops his own exciting definition of Progressive Rock in the here and now.
Releases:
Swimming Monkey – Overdrive (2020)
