Formed in small town North Carolina by 3 close friends, Swansgate was originally set up in the likeness of a jazz trio. The musical direction of frontman Stu Draughn manifested as a series of long, mostly instrumental, compositions for keys, drums, and bass.

Over time, the direction of the band evolved into a more symphonic approach to making music. With more and more elements being added to each composition, Swansgate decided to enlist drummer Mike Kaloudis so that founding member and multi-instrumentalist Michael McKinney could commit to playing electric guitar and keyboards. 

Their current sound leans toward Alternative/Indie with elements of psychedelic/space rock, electronic, shibuya-kei, hip-hop, and more. Their live set includes precisely composed songs that experiment with genre-fusing and avant-garde sounds; while also keeping in mind accessibility and spontaneity so that each show is a unique, fun, and memorable experience. Currently based out of Charlotte, NC, their debut album, “Becoming Someone” was released independently on April 29, 2022.