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:

Photo by Mel Taing

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, 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 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 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, Theater by the Sea, URI, Brown University, and others.

 

Press

“A gorgeous blend of overwhelming vocal talent, modern keyboard techniques, and contemporary sophistication.”
— New England Noise
“Versatile, ever-appealing voice”
— Wall Street Journal
“Delivers emphatic, enigmatic lyrics in a manner that can evoke Björk, Alanis Morissette, or Joanna Newsom while sounding like no one but herself.”
— The Boston Globe
“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.”
— WGBH Boston
“Be stopped dead in your tracks and catch the feels from this brilliantly composed piece of music”
— Allston Pudding
“Showcases incredible power and range with her most impassioned sentiments.”
— Rebel Noise
“Flawless voice, skillful piano work, and genuine lyrics.”
— MonkeyGoose Magazine