press
articles
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Alternative Press: Meet Black Ends, the "gunk pop" band redefining the sound of Seattle
Outspoken on and offstage, Swims writes off-kilter earworms about navigating mental health, queer relationships, racism, and more.
by Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp
March 23, 2023
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American Songwriter: 11 Bands to Know From Seattle
Their songs are sludgy and magical.
by Jacob Uitti
December 27, 2022
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Loud and Local Podcast - Episode 156: Black Ends
by Kevin Diers
December 14, 2022
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Seattle Channel: Art Zone: Black Ends perform "When I'm Alone"
...the beloved Seattle band who describe their sound as "gunk-pop"...
by Vincent Pierce
May 20, 2022
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Black Fret 2021 Grant Recipient
by Ben London
February 8, 2022
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Audiofemme: Black Ends Bring Ground-Breaking "Gunk Pop" to Substation This Saturday
"I feel like there should be more Black bands getting booked in general," she says. "I feel like there shouldn’t be all-white boy bands anymore, like the shows that are all white boy bands. That’s just over."
by Alexa Peters
August 27, 2021
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The Seattle Times: Comeback show at Neumos helps Capitol Hill get its nightlife groove back
The band's 30 minutes of distorted "gunk pop" elicited raucous applause after every song. The floor creaked as the crowd hopped, bobbed and danced...
by Trevor Lenzmeier
July 2, 2021
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How NOT to write about music: Sixty for 60: 2. Black Ends
…it makes me so happy to be living in a world where music like this exists.
by Everett True
April 23, 2021
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Sonic Boom: Black Ends: First, Last, and Favorite
by Sonic Boom
April 15, 2021
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Bandcamp: Essential Releases: Acoustic Pop, Neo-Plunderphonics, South African Jazz and More
Swims' unique talent and ultra-creative style of guitar playing is on fierce display on last year's Stay Evil […] EP that manages to be both super listenable and super weird at the same time.
by Mariana Timony
February 5, 2021
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The Seattle Times: The best Seattle albums of 2020: Critics choose the top releases of the year
7. Black Ends, "Stay Evil" EP
by Michael Rietmulder
December 26, 2020
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KEXP: 2020 Top Ten List Spotlight: Eva Walker
Black Ends, 'Stay Evil'
by Eva Walker
December 12, 2020
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Ballard VOX: EP Review + Interview: Black Ends
...Black Ends produces a biting sound not often heard in today's scene.
by Brittne Lunniss
November 29, 2020
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The Seattle Public Library: Playback
by The Seattle Public Library
September 8, 2020
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Dan's Tunes: Photo story: Julia Francis, Nicolle Swims
by Becki Thorley
September 6, 2020
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KEXP Sessions: Black Ends
by John Richards
September 4, 2020
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OurCulture: Artist spotlight: Black Ends
…They also really love listening to the Barney theme song on a loop for hours. Pretty disturbing honestly.
by Konstantinos Pappis
August 11, 2020
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The Evergrey: Local Music Lowdown: Black Ends
My favorite venue I've played is probably the Sunset [Tavern]—I just fucking love that place, it’s so welcoming.
by Grace Madigan
August 7, 2020
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KEXP: Song of the Day: Black Ends - Monday Mourning
...it's supposed to be about finally accepting that fate- to release the thanatophobia we all feel at some point and just accepting that life ends and it's okay.
by Janice Headley
July 31, 2020
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Seattle Met: 5 Albums to Listen to This Summer
Stay Evil by Black Ends [...] On this EP wobbly post-punk elbows in...
by Stefan Milne
July 28, 2020
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POST-TRASH: Black Ends – “Stay Evil” | Album Review
…what a band sounds like when it’s good but has something even more.
by Wade Phillips
July 21, 2020
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KEXP: New Music Reviews
by Don Yates
July 20, 2020
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Northwest Music Scene: Review: Black Ends — 'Stay Evil'
Swims' vocal flexibility […] rides atop the band's thrusty dynamic gutter sprawl.
by Ethan J. Barrons
July 15, 2020
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The Tape Deck: Spectreview: Black Ends – Stay Evil
...Nicolle Swims, an artist with both a unique viewpoint and the ability to successfully express that uniqueness.
by Rob Moura
July 14, 2020
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Dan's Tunes: Unwritten: Nicolle Swims of Black Ends
by Dan Ray
June 29, 2020
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Black Ends Premiere "Monday Mourning," Submit an Honest Essay About Being Black in America (KEXP Premiere)
Being black in America feels like a death sentence but I refuse to stop fighting.
by Martin Douglas
June 17, 2020
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American Songwriter: Uncovering Acts: Five Bands You Need To Know
…front person and principal songwriter, Nicolle Swims, has a voice like imagination incarnate.
by Jacob Uitti
May 11, 2020
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Okay Haunting: Listen: Black Ends – Sellout EP
This shit is hard, dude.
by Okay Haunting
April 15, 2020
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Hooligan Mag: On Falling In Love With Music All Over Again: An Interview with Nicolle Swims (Website down, Web Archive Link)
If I’m going to use this weird piece of wood to tell my story, I’ll make it my priority to tell it damn well.
by Hooligan Mag
April 5, 2020
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107.7 The End: Best of 2019: Locals Only
…a list of 50 albums, EPs and mixtapes from artists out of our part of the world that all deserve our attention.
by Steven
December 30, 2019
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The Seattle Times: The best Seattle albums of 2019: Critics choose the Top 20 releases of the year
…one of Seattle’s best new rock bands, which impressed with a rambunctiously tousled set.
by Michael Rietmulder
December 18, 2019
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KEXP: 2019 Top Ten List Spotlight: Eva Walker
Rank 1 – Black Ends
by Eva Walker
December 7, 2019
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KEXP: Black Ends Re-Release 2019 EP Sellout, Debut Bonus Track "What"
…this song feels very desperate / just being so engaged and trapped in the mundaneness of everyday living.
by Martin Douglas
September 5, 2019
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Nada Mucho: 41 Seattle Bands We’re Watching in 2019
The choices in compositions are incredible.
by Matt Ashworth, Sean Jewell
August 4, 2019
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The Stranger: The Skewed Post-Punk Thriller "Sellout" by Rising Seattle Trio Black Ends
'Sellout' is one of the best songs to come out of Seattle in 2019.
by Dave Segal
July 5, 2019
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The Seattle Times: The best new music from around the Pacific Northwest
…the recent sold-out Chop Suey show also felt like a coming-out party for this intriguing new band.
by Michael Rietmulder
May 1, 2019
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The Stranger: The Top 5 Tracks Burning up the Airwaves on Eva Walker’s KEXP Show, Audioasis
Black Ends, 'Maybe When'
by Dave Segal
April 19, 2019
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Dan's Tunes: Photo story: The Black Tones, Black Ends, Payge Turner
Nicolle Swims brings a fresh and raw sound to Seattle grunge as the front person of Black Ends. Bassist Ben Swanson provides a steady groove for Black Ends's grungy, experimental sound. Drummer Jonny Modes maintains a calm demeanor to contrast Black Ends's often loud and frenetic jams.
by Dan's Tunes
April 13, 2019
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Artist Home Premiere: Black Ends' "Sellout" EP
I feel like there’s a beautiful black wave that is hitting rock music and I’m glad to be a part of it.
by Artist Home
February 28, 2019
