“I think my music has grown in instrumentation and substance. I don’t write any “filler” songs. Everything has a very specific theme, story, or emotion being represented. On this new album, I have been able to add a lot of colours with background vocalists, layered guitars, saxophones, keys and organ, and even an orchestra of strings!“

Selwyn Birchwood:

Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues

Rolling Stone calls award-winning Florida musician Selwyn Birchwood “a remarkable, contemporary bluesman…a powerhouse young guitarist and soulful vocalist.” Now, this mesmerizing guitarist, lap steel master and cinematic songwriter unleashes the powerful new self-produced album, “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues” (Release Date: March 27, 2026) further blazing his own musical trail. Birchwood’s sound is an intoxicating mix of deep blues, blistering, psychedelic-tinged rock, booty-shaking funk and sweet Southern soul, played and sung with true blues passion. From an emotionally devastating whisper to a soul-baring scream, Birchwood’s vocals command attention. Schooled in the blues’ storied traditions (he toured with and was mentored by the famed Sonny Rhodes), Birchwood maps out a dazzling future for the blues with his visionary music.

(Selwyn Birchwood / Photo by Jayne Drooger)

Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues features 10 wildly imaginative, laser-focused, vibrant original songs, produced by Birchwood and recorded in Florida. From the psychedelic soul sermon The Church Of Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues to the wide-open honesty of Damaged Goods to the up-to-the-minute observations of All Hail The Algorithm and Talking Heads, Birchwood and his band play with relentless intensity. On Labour Of Love he looks at the pains and joys of parenting, while The Struggle Is Realserves as an anthem for our times. Birchwood’s tough, slide guitar opus, What I’ve Been Accused Of, the slow burning, romantic Soulmate and the blazing Should’ve Never Gotten Out Of Bed, all show Birchwood as one of contemporary blues’ most prolific, significant and innovative artists. Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues is Birchwood’s own fully realized artistic statement, and the first of his Alligator albums that he has produced by himself.

Interview by Michael Limnios      Archive: Selwyn Birchwood 2013 & 2023 interview

Special Thanks: Marc Lipkin (Alligator Records)

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

I think my music has grown in instrumentation and substance. I don’t write any “filler” songs. Everything has a very specific theme, story, or emotion being represented. On this new album, I have been able to add a lot of colours with background vocalists, layered guitars, saxophones, keys and organ, and even an orchestra of strings!

What keeps a musician passionate over the years? How does your hometown (Florida) that affect your music?

This isn’t a genre where you are looking to get a hit and make millions of dollars and retire. You don’t stop till you drop. Hits aren’t what we make, they’re what we TAKE! But it is all part of the process to present our passion to the audiences!

Do you have any stories about the making of the new album “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues”? Is there a message you are trying to convey with your songs?

This album represents an arrival of MY OWN SOUND! You will find all of the styles that I have rolled into what we present in our music. Electric Swamp Funkin Blues!

“I love traditional Blues and Roots music, but I also love all kinds of other music. I try to figure out ways to inject those other genres into what I am doing to hopefully find a sound I can call my own. Either this album, I can tell you that we have done that!“ (Selwyn Birchwood / Photo by Jayne Drooger)

Why do you think that Alligator Records music legacy continues to generate such a devoted following?

Alligator is able to keep it up because of their extremely meticulous nature in choosing the music they want to put out to ensure that everything is on a high level! They are also able to utilize the team’s extremely strong work ethic to get the music out to everybody. The team at Alligator does the work of what would otherwise be a team of 100 people anywhere else! I am extremely honored (and even intimidated at times) working with folks that are THAT good at their jobs!

How can a musician truly turn the blues into a commercial and popular genre of music for the today's audience?

I wouldn’t know how to answer that. That isn’t my goal, and I don’t know any of the real artists that have that in their vision. All the artists that I love simply create the art that they love or would want to see/hear. If it is resonates with them, then hopefully it will resonate with the public. I think one of the biggest problems with pop culture and art these days is that they are trying to do exactly that.. make a product to appeal to EVERYBODY and what you end up with something completely bland, watered down and SAFE.. Instead of something insightful, soulful, meaningful and CREATIVE. That is what I wanted to do with this album!

Your work is known for creatively reimagining blues tradition. How do you balance respect for the roots with experimentation? How did the idea of “Old School” project come about?

I love traditional Blues and Roots music, but I also love all kinds of other music. I try to figure out ways to inject those other genres into what I am doing to hopefully find a sound I can call my own. Either this album, I can tell you that we have done that!

Old School was a side project that I put together to try and push the needle to the more traditional side of the spectrum. Allowing me to touch closer to the root and give the audience some specific sounds that they might not have heard from me yet.

You’ve worked in many different settings, from clubs and bars to open air festivals and cruises in Europe and USA. How do you navigate between these different worlds?

We give the same level of showmanship and energy in our shows regardless of where we go. Wherever there is an ear open to hear what we’re doing, you’ll find this band ready to give it to em!

Selwyn Birchwood - Home

(Selwyn Birchwood / Photo by Jayne Drooger)