SongVault Artist Profile

After a cross-continental move from Pennsylvania landed Rich Swanger in the Pacific Northwest, his song-writing project, Seahorse, finally began to bloom. I'll Be New is his stunning debut release. This collection of songs is centered on his warm, melodic vocals, and is complimented by tasteful arrangements of guitar, piano, and studio tinkering. His lyrics are packed with possibilities, thick in references to love, iconic creatures, and even “Galileo walking on the Galilee”. These sounds resonate far beyond the hiss of the last chord to a place full of mystery--questions with answers for the listener to find, answers with questions unknown. It is literate, American melancholia for those with a taste for Damien Jurado, Joseph Arthur & Josh Ritter.

At age 7, Swanger sang in his father's country band, performing whichever George Straight or Hank Williams Jr. song was popular that night. He sang in the church choir. He spent his formative years obsessed with Wilco and Radiohead, and played guitar for Easterly. He has found his own voice with Seahorse. Nestled in the lush beauty of Oregon, Swanger continues to birth songs full of transcendence and myth.