Biography
Ember Swift is a Canadian and Ontario-born singer-songwriter who has been writing songs since she was nine years old and performing since she was ten. In 1996, she released her first "self-titled" album and started to develop her now loyal fan following that extends to tens of thousands of people across Canada, the U.S. and Australia. Her loyal support network is thanks to a high-energy live show coupled with pertinent politics that reaches out to many communities. It is the union between art and activism that forms the foundation of Ember's songwriting ethic; only through honest and open dialogue about global issues can we hope to inspire greater social awareness that will lead to social change.
After graduation from the University of Toronto with a degree in East Asian Studies in 1998, Ember and regular band member Lyndell Montgomery, took to the road and embarked on building a career through consistent touring of North America and Australia. (These live shows often feature the additional talents of Adam Bowman on drums and percussion.) Ember's music has garnered large and loyal support thanks to the high-energy live show and pertinent politics that reached out to many communities.
The fall of 2005, saw the release of the first ever DVD project entitled "Witness: Live in Australia, 2005" which features the band performing more than ten pieces live and is interspersed with interview footage, on-the-road footage and some glimpses of fans. It was directed by Sydney-based documentary filmmaker Max Bourke of Pigfish Productions. This DVD has been received with great excitement. The band has just completed the release tour in Australia to glowing reviews and several sold-out shows.
See above for more information about their most current release, "The Dirty Pulse", a full-length album project released in April, 2006.
Ember currently resides in a 130-year old home in Eastern Ontario. She has never been happier. The quiet of rural living lends itself well to music-making; the beauty of her surroundings has inspired a new body of work that is more positive and hopeful than songs written in previous years. Her new release reflects the width of sky outside her door and the emphatic rejection of impossibility.
Ember Swift is a Canadian artist and activist who performs alongside of the amazingly talented Lyndell Montgomery. Generally as a duo (and sometimes with additional players), they perform approximately 150 dates a year bringing their politically charged music to stages across Canada, the U.S. and Australia. They have just launched their tenth release entitled "The Dirty Pulse" [Few'll Ignite Sound, 2006.] Their music (performed in both English & French) sounds like: "The bilingual love child of Paul Simon and Laurie Anderson who is being raised by Joan Jett."
Canadian Independent Music Award:
Best Band Website, 2006
Jer’s Vision Award:
Role Model of the Year (Activism), 2006
Juror for the Music & Film
in Motion Awards, 2005
Juror for the Outmusic Awards, 2005
