LA songwriter Katie Schottland, aka Swimming Bell, recently released her second album ‘Charlie’ via the Los Angeles label Permanent Records. Katie is our latest ‘Off the Shelf‘ guest, in which we ask artists to present objects from a shelf or elsewhere from their homes and talk about them.
We recently shared an animated video for her album single, ‘For Al and Lee‘, a song written as a blessing for two of her closest friends. As I said then, Ripe with Laurel Canyon ambience, Schottland holds an intimacy throughout that is radiant with sincerity.
Off the Shelf with Swimming Bell
Charlie
The first object may not be the best one to start with. It’s my sweet baby angel, Charlie’s ashes. Charlie was a cotton ball of a kitten when she was first found and I quickly became her momma. She was my best little bud for 16 years, but this past August, after about a year and a half of being sick, I had to say goodbye. Every time I would play guitar and sing, she would come over and meow and want my attention. She’d put her paw on my arm. I like to think that she loved my singing and playing, but it could also be that she thought I was meowing in distress or something. Hahah, either way, she was a soft, silly, sassy snuggle bug and I miss her all the time. She actually has a little cameo on the record. It’s like a ‘Where’s Waldo’, or in the UK, ‘Where’s Wally’? If you don’t listen carefully, you’ll miss her singing.
Bill
I got Bill as a rescued kitten when she was just a wee little thing. Charlie was about a month old when I realized that she needed a playmate. Bill was much smaller than Charlie when I adopted her, but eventually grew to be about double her size. They played as kittens and had a funny little relationship. Sisters, but Charlie was definitely in charge. Bill is now 16 and she sleeps by my side every night. She’s protective, snuggly, and purrs like a motorcycle. I’m so glad I have her in my life and I know she misses her big (little) sister!
My Gibson LG
I bought this guitar when I was still living in Brooklyn from Retrofret Guitars. They have such an amazing surplus of used and vintage guitars. I bought this guitar because when I made my first EP, I recorded it in London (also with Oli Deakin) and he had a Gibson LG and I loved the unique sound. It’s what I use to write pretty much everything, and it’s all over my record. I learned recently that Beck and I think Jeff Tweedy use the same guitar to write on. I don’t think I’ve ever changed the strings on it. I just don’t want anything to change!
My oxalis plant
I love this plant. I’ve had it for many years. It was passed down from my grandmother’s house in Virginia, to my mother in Pennsylvania, to me, my brother, and I am constantly sharing it with others. It’s very hearty and easy to take care of (I think technically, it’s a weed and related to the clover), but it’s so sweet! At night, it closes its “wings”, and during the day, it looks like a purple butterfly. My house doesn’t get great light, so it’s not as filled out as it could be. My mom’s is so full and beautiful.
The original artwork for my album
When I first finished my album, “Charlie”, I reached out to this incredible Ukrainian artist, Daria Hlazatova. She had done the cover art of my first EP. I had noticed her collage work over the years and thought it’d be great as a cover for the newest album. Included in the collage is a photo of my mother that her college roommate had taken of her, and some of my favorite photos I’ve taken over the years. She did such a beautiful job and sent me the original piece of work, so I had it framed. Ultimately, I went in a different direction for the album, but this piece of art is so special to me.
My grandmother’s baby shoes
My mom gave these to me years ago and they are just so precious. My grandmother was a true southern belle. We used to go visit her and my grandpa in Virginia every summer. After my grandpa passed, she continued to live alone until the ripe old age of 94. One of the last times I visited her, I drove down to spend some one-on-one time together. I took her out for fish tacos, and to my surprise, she had never had them before. She also hadn’t drank alcohol in years, but I saw these two mini bottles of champagne in her fridge. We drank them together one night and I made dinner for her. I’m so glad I had that personal time with her and it remains one of my fondest memories.
My grandfather’s book, ‘Shonkoo’
When my grandpa (my dad’s, dad) was in his early 90’s, my uncle spent time with him recording his life story. My uncle then had it turned into a book, which we all appreciate and cherish. My grandpa Stan (Stan the Man) was one of the funniest people I’ve ever known. He was a businessman, but once said that if he had to choose any other career, he would’ve been a standup comic. Grandpa Stan was the pillar of this family and was constantly saying how proud he was of his three sons and his family. He started the family business, which is still successful today. The book is named Shonkoo because when he was a little boy, he couldn’t say his last name (Schottland) correctly. When the teacher asked him his name, he would say Manly Shonkoo instead of Stanly Schottland. I loved the silly boyish nature my grandpa had. When he would laugh, his shoulders would go up and down and to me, as a little girl, he sounded like Count Dracula. He was a true kid at heart and adored by all of us.
The blood orange tree in my backyard
When I moved to LA in 2020, I was lucky enough to find a little bungalow with a fenced-in backyard. That meant that my little kitties could safely spend time outside and lounge in the sun. Bill brought me a couple of lizards and lizard tails. She even brought me a bird once. I managed to help the bird escape back into the wild. But this tree was Charlie’s favorite spot to sit in. She loved to roll around in the dirt and move from spot to spot, following the sunlight. The oranges from this tree are also so sweet with ruby red juice. In the spring, when it’s blossoming, it smells like honeysuckle and makes my bedroom smell like a dream.
My breakfast nook
This is such a special part of the house. One of my favorite times I can remember in my breakfast nook is making fresh ravioli with my partner and having the coziest dinner. We were also both amazed at how well they turned out. Much better than store bought. I also love spending my mornings in the nook, drinking coffee, doing my computer work. My sweet Bill loves to sit in the window and keep me company, watching the hummingbirds. It’s our little morning routine.
My espresso machine
My partner owns a coffee roasting company (Nice Coffee Roasters), so on our first (hinge) date, he brought me some of his beans. That was over three years ago, and since then, I’ve learned so much about the complexity of coffee. I used to think that I only liked dark roast or espresso. My family tends to drink mud, so that’s what I was used to. My partner has enlightened me to all kinds of coffees and I thoroughly enjoy my routine of making my cortados in the mornings. My latte art is kind of ok too!
A huge thanks to Katie for sharing these objects, special places, moments and memories. Cats and coffee…she rules.
Purchase her new album, Charlie, via Bandcamp:
More here: https://www.swimmingbell.com/