Sydney band SWAP is getting geared up to take their dark, heavy progressive rock to the stage at The Factory Theatre for the semi-finals of Emergenza Festival Australia. But before they do, the band sits down to talk more about the first round and their experience in the festival so far. Check them out this Friday, October 10th, and in the meantime, read what the band had to say here:

FOR THOSE WHO DIDN’T GET TO SEE YOU IN THE FIRST ROUND, CAN YOU INTRODUCE US TO YOUR BAND SWAP?
Want to hear pounding drums, soaring vocals and duel guitars that will make you wish you were born the input jack of an amp? SWAP (short for Scottish Women Against Pornography) is the band that will show you that Rock is not just the domain of geologists. This ultra-talented five-piece line-up will prove that amazing melodies and confronting lyrics still exist in music.

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FIRST ROUND FOR YOU?
The sound mixing at The Metro is always awesome. Plus I always love it when people who have never heard us before (and are there for other bands) come up and tell me how much they loved our songs.

OUT OF ALL THE SONGS YOU PLAYED, WHICH ONE GOT THE BIGGEST REACTION OUT OF THE CROWD AND WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?
Our anti-racism anthem "Not One Of Us" always gets a great reaction. People always come up after and say that they love that song. It has a great melody, amazing chord progressions, and has distinctive contrasts inside the song itself.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE FIRST ROUND AND WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM IT?
It was great to hear the other bands and enjoy their music and creativity and then let our own stuff rip. Also, I’ve learned that when doing a gig during the working week, it’s better to be on early in the night.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO BETWEEN GIGS AND WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF THE COMPETITION?
We have started recording a new album. It is the best work we have ever done; the songs are tight with great melodies and instrumental precision. We have also been practicing our existing repertoire.

SO HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EMERGENZA FINALS?
It feels great. We have been here before and enjoyed it immensely, so we are looking forward to it again.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR UPCOMING CONCERT AT THE FACTORY?
We would like to gain new fans, have fun and get through to the next rounds.

For more details on the show at The Factory Theatre in Sydney on October 10th, click here.