Bio
A fearless multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist, songwriter, and sound artist, Courtney Swain conjures soundscapes that surround audiences with murmuring, echoing electronics, providing a canvas for her vocals, live instruments, and witty, insightful songwriting. Courtney's artistic output reflects a broad range of influences and inspiration. Recent highlights include:
Headliner for Celebrity Series of Boston’s 2025 Stave Sessions
Composing the score for “Noisefloor”: an evening-length piece commissioned by Palaver Strings and Little House Dance. Noisefloor premiered in December 2023 at the State Theatre (Portland, ME), with repeat performances at the Rockport Opera House (Rockport ME), Spruce Peak Arts (Stowe, VT), and a sold-out performance at the Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston, MA)
String arrangement and vocals for Philip Glass’s “Mishima” string quartet featured in FOX’s Bob’s Burgers S13.E10 “The Plight Before Christmas”
“notes to myself”, an album of improvised introspections, recorded entirely within Habit, a Chase Bliss effect pedal, released from Chase Bliss Records
2022 Artist in Residence at Akiyoshidai International Arts Village in Japan
2021 Fellow for the Rhode Island Foundation’s Robert & Margaret MacColl Johnson Fellowship
Photo by Rich Ferri
Tied together by her unmistakable voice, Courtney’s discography includes seven studio albums released with Bent Knee, and a prolific collection of albums, EPs, compositions, and multimedia pieces. Beyond her own work, Courtney’s voice has been featured in Mortal Kombat 11 (listen for the Fatality cue!), Bob’s Burgers, as well as studio releases by HAKEN, Car Bomb, Childish Japes, and others..
A decade of touring has taken Courtney to perform all over North America, Europe, and her native country, Japan. Bent Knee has shared the stage with Leprous, HAKEN, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die, Thank You Scientist, and has performed at Audio Tree, Day Trotter, Campbell Bay Music Festival, Gouveia Art Rock, FIMAV, BeardFest, ProgDreams, Burg Herzberg Festival and more.
After training as a classical pianist in her youth, Courtney received her B.M. from Berklee College of Music with a dual degree in Classical Composition and Contemporary Writing & Production. A Rhode Islander since 2015, Courtney also works as a pianist/keyboardist and music director for Trinity Rep, Brown University, Theater by the Sea, Wilbury Group, University of Rhode Island, Providence College, and more. Splitting her time between touring, composing, teaching, and more, her interests beyond music include plants, gardening, mystery novels, home improvement, photography, drawing, meditation, yoga, cooking, fermentation… a list that is always growing!
Press Quotes
“A gorgeous blend of overwhelming vocal talent, modern keyboard techniques, and contemporary sophistication.”
“Versatile, ever-appealing voice”
“Delivers emphatic, enigmatic lyrics in a manner that can evoke Björk, Alanis Morissette, or Joanna Newsom while sounding like no one but herself.”
“Swain’s lyrics hold a hidden humor, both in the occasional over-dramatics and in the inherent relatable quality to them — something that brings the listener deeper, settling in with their demons.”
“Be stopped dead in your tracks and catch the feels from this brilliantly composed piece of music”
“Showcases incredible power and range with her most impassioned sentiments.”
“Flawless voice, skillful piano work, and genuine lyrics.”