Kaylah Truth

Smooth and subtle, with more than a hint of swagger, Swilo is one of the most complicated artists you’ll ever come across. He’s confident yet humble, stylish yet understated, a walking contradiction that will confuse and challenge you to the point you won’t even realise you’ve been seduced until it’s too late. He’s a master of blending things which by all accounts should not go together, whether that’s his Swiss and Filipino heritage or his love for old-school lyricism and new school melodies, he takes two things you’re familiar with and combines them to create something you’ve never seen before. One of the hardest working musicians in Brisbane, Swilo's not happy unless he’s got sweat on his brow and a pen in his hand. His inherent talent for singing and showmanship, coupled with his 90’s hip-hop sensibilities have made him a natural on stage, moving with a rare air of confidence, but that’s not all that sets him apart. His smooth sound over with James Angus’ incomparable beats are a treat you won’t soon forget. In the booth, he’s constantly experimenting, trying new things and pushing his sound to the limits. Be it his constant quest for new rhythms or simply the way he tests himself lyrically on every track, he’s always working to refine his content. Although everything he does is fresh and original, his inspirations still shine through if you know what you’re looking for. The attitude and party spirit of America’s dirty south, embodied by the likes of Outkast and T.I., and the poetic flows of New York City greats like Nas and Q-Tip, are particularly prominent. Nostalgic yet modern, Swilo has successfully captured Brisbane’s imagination, pulling well over 300 people to his first headline show and signing napkins while getting recognised at Hungry Jacks. He’s opened shows for Nelly, B.O.B. and Lupe Fiasco, but even this isn’t enough for him. In 2017 he’s planning on taking his music all around Australia and dropping his debut EP, and if his past success is anything to go by, it’ll be hard to stop him. A disarmingly honest individual, he wears his heart on his sleeve, so what you see is what you get. Fortunately, what you see is a very complete package, a determined young man dancing, singing and rapping with the best of them.