Catchin'-Uppie: Richard Swift

Sometimes I wonder how I miss certain musicians.  I feel like I am often ahead of the game finding new music thanks to my passion for music and friends who share that passion.  However, there are just times that someone just slips through the cracks and I find out I have some "catchin' up" to do.  So begins a new category for Listen to the Streusic...the Catchin'-Uppies.

Tonight I stumbled upon a musician named Richard Swift.  Maybe you have heard of him, but I had not.  Let me show you how I stumbled upon him (which might give you some other musicians to check out as well...some of which I also had not heard of).  So, try to keep up...

I was reading a review on Benjamin Gibbards (lead of Death Cab for Cutie) new album and decided to look up more about him.  I discovered that he once toured with David Bazan (lead of old "Christian"-band Pedro the Lion) as his bassist.  Well, after looking up more about David Bazan, I discovered that he used to play for another "Christian"-band called Starflyer 59.  So, in less than six degrees, I find that a man named Richard Swift used to also be in Starflyer 59, but don't think much of it.  I later stumble upon a record company called Secretly Canadian and see Richard Swift's name again and decide to check him out more.  Turns out he is now the keyboardist for The Shins (maybe you have heard of them) and makes amazing music on his own.

Why do I tell you all this?  First, I find it very interesting and thought some of you might to.  Also, every once in a while there are musicians that I have to tell others about almost immediately.  I think Richard Swift is worthy of this category.  Here are a few songs I have really enjoyed so far...