Swing

The New Retro Renaissance

V Vale

V Search Publications

Distributed by Tower Books (Australia).

Many wondered what would follow the great rebellion that was offered after Punk Rock, most thought it was unlikely it would be a return to the psychedelia of the sixties and were not especially enchanted by the techno and hip hop styles. One fascinating development was what has come to be known as Retro Swing, it took the energy of punk and yet combined it with earlier styles of music. It many ways it subverted the traditional forms of swing, jazz into a new and rather exciting amalgam of sounds and lifestyle.

While not being primarily a nostalgic movement it acknowledges and utilizes the music from the 30's and 40's yet brings together all sorts of unusual elements from swing, jazz and blues through to lounge and Tiki/exotica to ska and punk.

Swing: The New Retro Renaissance explores the phenomenon via a series of in depth interviews with major publishers, individuals, bands and dancers within the neo swing movement. The interviews do not just focus on music but explore the movement as a lifestyle and examine clothes, accessories, cars, dancing, clubs, drinks (martinis, of course) and cigars ! Each interview is extremely detailed and covers everything from the musicians childhood and musical influences to tips on shopping and taste.

The interview offered covers both traditional swing and related genres as well as new innovative forms taken by current bands. A wide range of modern bands are interviewed including interviews with individual members.

The book is divided into publishers, bands, dancers, clubs, record labels and resources and offers a very comprehensive guide to the new swing phenomenon.

The book is beautifully illustrated with lots of photos, from rare record covers to dances, clubs, cars and outfits.

We found most of the bands and individuals still going strong and easy to find with any internet search, so this is a great and informative guide to a new and exciting form of entertainment.