UNDER THE RADAR

Artists, labels, and magazines meriting more attention

- Charles Donovan

Keyboard virtuoso, singer/songwriter, multimedia artist, clubland innovator and hired hand for Hawkwind/Hawklords and Pilot – Steve Swindells, who grew up near Bath and Bristol before moving to London in his late teens, has excelled at almost everything he’s attempted. Among his finest achievements are a trilogy of albums from the 70s that still deserve a broader audience. But his solo career span off-track more than once through no fault of his own. And his early experiences, signed to RCA, are nothing short of a #metoo horror story.

Swindells took to the piano in early childhood when he and his brothers were sent to stay with relations in Surrey. “They had a piano, and I was just instantly drawn to it,” he tells RC. “And then, when we moved house to the village of Salford, I was absolutely thrilled to see an upright piano being wheeled in.” His piano teacher was a pivotal mentor. “Bristol Cathedral School was a very liberal, artsy school. When I told him I wanted to be a singer/songwriter, his face lit up and he clapped his hands and said, ‘Brilliant! I’m going to teach you the basics of jazz, gospel and blues – you’ve already got your classical technique and you know about melody and harmony.’”

It wasn’t long before Swindells was making inroads. “Having jammed with Manny [Elias] from Tears For Fears in my parents’ living room, because they’re local, and having jammed with Andy David from Stackridge and later The Korgis, I went to art college to join a band in the great tradition of Pink Floyd and The Who or whatever. My first group, Squidd, played classical rock, not classic rock – The Planet Suites [Holst] and