Sway Wild was born from acclaimed indie-folk duo Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer on San Juan Island, Washington.
This latest single “Shadows Lions Kill” was recorded in their living room at home in the islands during quarantine and is a more quiet intimate reflection into the intensely fractured political climate in the U.S.. After having primarily been behind the drum set with Sway Wild for the last few years, songwriter Dave McGraw returns to the vocal microphone and acoustic guitar penning a pre-election release addressing the decline in civility in America.
McGraw explains, “I’ve had the privilege of touring to nearly every corner of the U.S. for almost 15 years and have seen first-hand the overwhelming goodness and kindness of people everywhere, no matter their political affiliations. It has been so disheartening and tragic to witness just how quickly we’ve been pegged against one another by dishonest and self-serving politicians and corporations. We’ve been fed a slow drip of 24hr toxicity by cable television ‘news’ and social media platforms whose entire business models profit off of dividing us at any cost. The entire spectacle is a circus feeding on our hyper attention and while they train us to stare at the shiniest objects and loudest and most absurd voices, there are truly dangerous, oppressive and racist policies being implemented weekly by the current administration. How so many of us have been led to vote against our own collective self interest is deeply concerning to me. I remain hopeful, but we have so very much work to do. This song has been stewing in me for years now and is way past due in its release. This is no longer a Republican or Democrat issue, but rather a moral choice that lies before us. Our differences make us stronger, but our democracy depends on basic decency and widespread inclusion, two pillars this current president has failed to understand. We’re all in this together and must do better; we have to change.”
Shadows Lions Kill Lyrics
how you loved the dogwoods in april
and all that roadside reverie
now you’re changing the station
for a change in scenery
how we’re guaranteed of nothing
arriving soaking wet
do you remember where you came from
oh the mothers we forget
as I fight through what is shaking me
I’m a worn and blown out fuse
weary in the ramble
oh these bodies we abuse
do you love like you used to?
are you putting up your walls?
do you dream like you used to?
are you dreaming now at all?
in the blistered sweat of summer
under big top pyramids
it’s as cold as the pistols
in little hands of little kids
in little hands of little kids
as the clown takes to the spotlight
the ringmaster takes the till
with all eyes on the juggler man
in the shadows lions kill
in the shadows lions kill
as we fight through where it’s taking us
with a worn and blown out fuse
darkness in the daylight
oh this country we abuse
do you love like you used to?
are you putting up a wall?
do you dream like you used to?
or are you dreaming now at all?
Sway Wild has toured extensively throughout the US and Europe sharing the stage with acts such as Iron & Wine, Lake Street Dive, Rising Appalachia, Gregory Alan Isakov, Mandolin Orange, Charlie Hunter, and many others. They are currently quarantined at home in the San Juan Islands in WA, writing and recording new material ranging from folk to funk, and devoting time to anti-racism/anti-oppression work.
https://daveandmandymusic.com/
Photo Credit: Laura Totten