Ebbing - An Acceptance of Death in the most beautiful manor

As I reflected over the turbulent events of my life in the last year, I am reminded of the time I trekked to Dublin to witness Swans perform in the O2 Academy around August time.

After a journey on a particularly packed train from Belfast to Dublin, my good friend Rab and I touched down to the Dublin streets early with him and myself only being only familiar with the early works of Gira and going blindly into this new Swans experience with them fresh off their newly released “The Beggar” album.

Over that summer, on an outing in Leuven, Belgium, Rab and I found common ground in the discussion of the bold and mesmerizing polyrhythms of 'Screen Shot,' a piece I once believed to be the pinnacle of Swans' artistry. Little did I anticipate that another composition would eclipse it.

After grabbing a few Guinness’ and a bite to eat, we peered at a rather small stage at the back of a sea of fans showing up to witness the act. Some were fans from the early days of Swans back in the 80s and 90s, younger fans just getting into the group and out-layers like myself who weren’t terribly familiar with the work.

Gira and the band appear on stage with a peculiar air about them. Gira operates the stage with a conductor-like aura with one hand on his guitar and the other waving his hand directing his orchestra as a white spotlight sets him apart from the band. 6 instruments colliding with harmony. (Similarly to Black Country, New Road. which I also saw in the same venue in the same year).

The experience is harrowing at times. Gira delivers these haunting powerful vocal performances creating an intimidating and anxious atmosphere as the instrumentation following suit carefully producing a mesmerisingly monotonous cascade of sound.

As I grabbed a 5th Guinness, Ebbing began a spiritual odyssey that provokes feelings of which I cannot explain. I felt something so ethereal and unworldly I never had before and never will again as the loudness of the instruments soaked into my bones, the resonance of which is still within them to this day.

‘Ebbing’ in itself is a word with duel meaning. The word encapsulates the essence of gradual decline and retreat as Ebbing as a term originates from its description of the rhythmic manor in which tidewater retreats between the ocean and the shore. In the context of personal life experiences which this song by Swans is encapsulating, 'Ebbing' becomes a touching metaphor, Gira’s track reaches a spiritual peak as he comes in full acceptance of life's inevitable downturns and the gentle receding of moments, much like that tide withdrawing from the shore. 

I believe this track encompasses an acceptance in the beauty of life and death’s transient nature. Just as the tide eventually returns, 'Ebbing' encourages embracing the cyclical nature of existence. Gira’s lyrics here show no real concern for the bad situation he appears to be in:

“Occluding, we’re sinking, Just drifting, not breathing, Releasing” 

Almost like Gira is in full acceptance of his impending mortality as his “soul” is released.

The instrumental of the last section of the track plays out in a divine fashion, an almost afterlife-like feel as a delightful celestial vocal chant fills up the atmosphere and occasionally Gira’s deeper vocal can be heard as his soul passes on. The instrumental is repetitive in fashion comparable to the ebb and flow of life, the tidewater, the ocean and the shore. It’s absolute magic. 

I knew I had heard something special and once the experience was over I rushed immediately to purchase the CD on the way out. The CD which I believe to have been made from recycled materials has a peculiar smell and sits atop my pile to this day haunting me through my cabinet glass as I take a peek into new releases. 

This particular memory stands out as a testament to the power of live performance and how it can alter one’s perception of art and life itself. My experience with this song is of one that transcends mere musical appreciation; its represents an elusive moment in my mind that exists now solely as a memory  of an emotion I can only fondly remind myself of. It’s important to reflect on these moments for  they just become forgotten moments at a concert that will become lost with time as us listeners all battle with the ebb and flow of life.

In my closing thoughts, a rather peculiar enigma persists in my mind—did Rab, my steadfast companion, share in my feelings for Ebbing? Maybe he thought the 11 minute run time was too excessive or maybe some of the other tracks outshined this one. Perhaps he’s more of a fan of the intricacy of Taylor Swift’s new artistic endeavour about why she dumped her last boyfriend over a simple pop rhythm or maybe the song just didn’t have enough 808s or trap drums for his liking? The question resides…

Enjoy this small glimpse I can deliver to you in the form of this poorly recorded video...