Originally a group of friends hanging out, jamming, and writing music, the band began performing in backyards and on beaches, and has gained popularity through its online presence and dedicated Internet fan base. The band has been noted for its authenticity and for remaining true to its upbeat folk roots. Current Swell sold out the very first show they played as a band. They had released a short, five-song EP on the internet that was discovered by northern Vancouver Island high school students. The band had booked a show at a local coffee shop in hopes of playing in front of a few people but ended up playing in front of a packed audience. The band credits much of their success to their fans, particularly the online community. Their song
Young and Able (2009) became an Internet hit through its popularization on
YouTube. The Internet has contributed significantly to the Canadian west coast band's large following in South America, particularly Brazil, where it headlined in
Rio de Janeiro and
São Paulo in 2012. Current Swell has opened for bands like
The Beach Boys,
Xavier Rudd,
Dispatch,
Bedouin Soundclash, and
The Beautiful Girls, and has made appearances at the
2010 Winter Olympics and the
Ottawa Bluesfest. In 2011, Current Swell placed first at
Vancouver's
Peak Performance Project, winning the $100,500 top prize. The band also played one of the largest concerts of its kind in Victoria at a Canada Day concert for 45,000 people at the British Columbia Legislature. The band's sound combines the musical styles of
folk,
rock,
roots,
blues,
reggae, and
ska; it has also been described as "surf rock." In 2014, it was announced that the band would be releasing their fourth studio album on May 6, entitled
Ulysses. The album was produced by Nathan Sabatino (Dr. Dog, White Rabbits) at Vancouver's Greenhouse Studios. The first single was the third track on the album, called "Rollin'". "Rollin'" is also featured in the
Teton Gravity Research-Anthill Films 2015 film
unReal.
Influences The band's albums
So I Say,
Trust Us Now, and
Protect Your Own were inspired predominantly by their experiences traveling. However, the people in the band's life–friends, strangers, and fans who have been a part of their journey and development as artists, influenced the album
Long Time Ago. == Discography ==