The Black Swan Effect

At the heart of The Black Swan Effect is the songwriting duo, Dominic and Gareth. Take two musicians. 15 years ago they collaborate. Then their lives diverge.

While Dom formed a band, travelled the world, had top 40 singles, a double platinum UK number 1 album and played the main stages at Glastonbury, Reading and V, in stark contrast Gareth put the dream to one side and stepped away from music.

15 years after their first musical collaboration and after a chance meeting in 2009 the two vowed to work together again. Then Dom’s wife (critically acclaimed filmmaker, Heidi Greensmith) asked them to write the soundtrack to her latest documentary Rock Star, giving them an ideal opportunity to start work.

Initial sessions went well and an early demo found its way into Peter Gabriel’s hands, who immediately signed them up to Real World Records. All this before the band hand played a note live.

Recording sessions followed at Real World Studios in Box, Wiltshire where it became apparent that there was an album – Admission, released in 2010 – lurking in there too.

In 2012, whilst remaining friends, the band decided go their separate ways to pursue their own musical and artistic directions.

The Black Swan Effect were: Gareth Hale: Vocals and Guitar, Dominic Greensmith: Drums, Jesse Wood: Bass, Kenwyn House: Guitar

Further reading

John Metcalfe’s Tree in Dolby Atmos

With these new 360˚ mixes Metcalfe’s initial intentions for the album are, finally, truly deliver...

The Unfolding: Bristol Light Festival

Bristol Light Festival is returns from Friday 2nd - Sunday 11th February, 2024.

Real World Sessions: Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell, 5 December 2023

New folk duo Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell visited the studio to record a new EP for Real World X.

10 years of resistance: Les Amazones d’Afrique’s fight continues on Musow Danse

Righteous anger has never felt so warm and convincing. Or so goddam danceable.