In this episode of Post-punk Heartstrings, we sit down with Emmett and Daniel of The Swoon for a deep, candid conversation about their origins, their music, and the strange, beautiful path that led them from a town of 800 people to national stages and legendary studios.

We start at the very beginning — childhood friendships, next-door neighbors, and the formative experiences that shaped their creativity long before a band existed. From riding bikes at night and playing Dungeons & Dragons to discovering music through parents’ record collections and late-night video programs, Emmett and Daniel trace how imagination and curiosity fueled everything that followed.

The conversation explores:

• Growing up in Cottonwood, Minnesota, and how isolation sharpened creativity

• Family influence, especially poet parents and homes filled with literature and music

• Early musical experiments, homemade drum kits, and first rehearsals in basements, garages, attics, and church buildings

• Playing shows at youth groups, American Legion halls, and early festivals

• The awkward, chaotic reality of first gigs — and how perseverance slowly turned embarrassment into confidence

Pivotal moments include:

• Winning Battle of the Bands competitions at Falcon Heights, Sunshine Festival, and Cornerstone Festival

• The excitement — and disappointment — of a record deal that fell apart during negotiations

• How religious expectations and denominational differences unexpectedly derailed a label contract

• The turning point when Charlie Peacock stepped in, leading to sessions at Neverland Studios in California

Inside the Neverland Studios recordings:

• Charlie Peacock’s role as producer and creative guide

• The collaborative influence of Derri Daugherty (The Choir), including studio support and sonic shaping

• The realities of analog recording, limited time, and expensive tape

• Song selection, production decisions, and the band’s growing confidence in their artistic voice

We also discuss:

• The evolution of the band’s name, from Restricted Access to The Swoon

• The literary roots of the name, inspired by Emmett’s mother’s poetry

• Early influences including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Men at Work, and U2

• Comparisons to U2 and the band’s embrace of performance, commentary, and emotional intensity in live shows

Throughout the conversation, Emmett and Daniel reflect with humor, honesty, and humility — sharing not just the highlights, but the missteps, doubts, and near-misses that shaped The Swoon’s legacy.

This is a rich, heartfelt episode about friendship, faith, creativity, and what it means to keep making art even when the path forward isn’t clear.

Follow The Swoon

• Website: https://theswoon.band/

• SWOONTube: https://theswoon.band/video/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOJ2i66WETgYaSQDFSc5Khw/videos

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theswoonband

• Remember The Swoon (Facebook group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/2412843425690573

Follow Jeffrey Kotthoff (Lo-Fidelity)

• Facebook
  https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.kotthoff

• Bandcamp (Lo-Fidelity Records)
  https://lo-fidelityrecords.bandcamp.com/

Related video

• Austin Dacey – What I Did on My Summer Vacation
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8ZBNmBQTQo&list=RDv8ZBNmBQTQo&start_radio=1

Follow Post-punk Heartstrings

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp

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