[ Original Portuguese Version ]

The Design of Life

When asked about the decision of reissuing some of her solo material, Jarboe says it's due to the requests she had been getting for some time. 'Fans asked for the reissues, so I decided to do them before some bootleggers would. To understand both Swans' and my own trajectory, it's necessary to listen to the History'. In fact, these reissues go though/cover material back to Swans' time, like the eclectic solo début Thirteen Masks, up to the magnificent post-separation Anhedoniac. But for a band that came to an end almost 10 years ago, the cult is still well alive and a new generation of listeners will perpetuate the myth. 'Yes, I know there is a new generation of Swans' fans. I keep meeting new fans at every concert and when I get messages in the website'.

One of the bands that never denied their appreciation of Swans is Neurosis. Both bands share the same attitude, the same desire to create something in a less rational way, but in a most heart-felt level. The collaboration between Jarboe and the Californian band has shown us something that seems obvious now. It has shown us the almost obvious symbiosis between both parts and must have unleashed the interest in Jarboe's reissues. 'Sure. Working with Neurosis both on the album and in the sold-out concerts we played together was a blessing. I loved every moment and I find them amazing, I always did! We have a lot in common and we share this attitude towards the Sound'

“This album is dedicated to all former member of Swans
1982-1997
For Michael R. Gira
I will always remember
I will always love you”

From - Anhedoniac.

With Swans' demise, Jarboe saw the end of the band to which she had dedicated most of her life. Anhedoniac was the therapy she found to get over the loss. With uncountable/numberless references to Swans along/throughout the album, Anhedoniac shows Jarboe wearing different personae in an extremely versatile vocal performance. Seducing, innocent, demoniacal, all adjectives fit. We wanted to know how she feels in relation to it. "I love it and hate it, simultaneously. It's my most visceral work to date and it always provokes a powerful and emotional response in me." Unfairly out of distribution, this album (that was only available though her website), is now available to the public with the polemical photos of the Richard Kern's session, in which we see her naked with a chastity belt and body painting. "I had problems not only with printing the photos, but also with the lyrics. Only a third print shop accepted the job. This album marked the end of a project to which I had dedicated 14 years of my life. I wanted the album to be a very strong one, both musically and visually."

The following album has not had the honor of a reissue, but it isn't less relevant in Jarboe's career though. "Disburden Disciple was self-released though my website www.thelivingjarboe.com. It may be reissued in a not-so-distant future, but it is only available through my website now. About its place in her trajectory "It was partly recorded in Israel, where I went for personal spiritual reasons and, conceptually, it is a step forward to heal some wounds and ease the burden (Disburden) that grew in me, the Disciple. If Anhedoniac is the disease album, Disburden Disciple is the cure".

END OF PART 1 / P2 on the way ...