NFV Song Spotlight: Swimming Bell's 95 at Night

I first came across Swimming Bell, the moniker for Katie Schottland, in late November 2022. I was off to Permanent Records Roadhouse to catch an Emily Rose & the Rounders set and Swimming Bell was the opening band for me (I say opening for me as I missed Selland & Starr set -- I believe this was the night I was expecting Selland & Starr to come on after Emily Rose and was hanging out around the stage while the Permanent Records crew was breaking down equipment and I finally realized I missed their set). I learned at the time via one of my Q&A interviews that Schottland is a New York native and had moved to Los Angeles a couple years back. Since that was 2022, I'd say she's an adjusted Los Angeleno (or maybe not).   

Swimming Bell at The Fable

Fast forward two and a half years and I finally got to catch another set during a Ryan Pollie presented night at The Fable. It opened up with two musical gems "Guess I Was Busy" and "Imagine Us" that included the pedal steel guitar, which apparently is my favorite band instrument at the moment. 

Imagine we were flying

or maybe we were just falling down

I should know you or know myself by now

When "Imagine Us" concluded with those lyrics, Schottland spoke to the audience, "That was a downer, ha? Who knows themselves in here, anyone?" After not getting anyone to agree the virtues of living a doubt ridden life, she concluded, "I guess you're all confident, well adjusted people." 

Swimming Bell at The Fable

She played a few songs that will be included on her upcoming album. One was "Always Down," which had an inauspicious and amusing start. First her keyboardist messed up the start of the song and so they decided to restart, but then her bassist lost his sound. It all worked out in the end.  

The set ended with "I Believe in Us" that Schottland mentioned would get a little rowdy. The song actually starts off with a wonderful harmony duet with JayCee Porter that is anything but rowdy. I was thinking that maybe she was just making a joke. But never fear, the tempo picked up. The recording has brass backing, which adds some additional punch.

Swimming Bell at The Fable

The song "95 at Night" was introduced with a self-deprecating manner, "It's a very meaningful song to me . . . not that it matters. Just to let you know." Someone in the crowd to respond back, "It matters to me!" The song had me reminiscing about old times that are remembered fondly.   

Driving by the old factory.
East Coast. That's where I feel the most.
Sleeping on the bright side of a dream.

Maybe New York is still top of her mind and there is a desire to one day return. My research shows the Interstate 95 runs up the east coast from Florida to Maine.
 

Setlist: Guess I Was Busy, Imagine Us, Ash in the Jar, Always Down, Take it Easy, Ocean, 95 at Night, Meet My Shadow, I Believe in Us.