Frequently Asked Questions (and their Answers).
*What instruments do you have in your band?
This depends of which show we are booked to do. Generally as a specialised outdoor band we use instruments that are loud when played accousticly and intruments that are portable so we can walk while playing.
Expect to hear trombone, trumpet, flugal horn, banjo, guitar, drums, percussion...
Director- Stephane Spitz (Bass, or Tenor Saxophone) is always present.
*Are you a local band?
We are a national touring.
*Where are you all from?
Performers currently reside in Bristol, London, Nottingham, Brighton.
Founding member Stephane Spitz is based in Great Yarmouth.
*How did you all get together?
Swervy World performers and musicians are from a background of travelling street performers, having been either solo performers with their own show, working and travelling year round as a way of life, or working with past travelling street bands such as Roxy's Tool Box, Urban Ravioli and Tragic Roundabout.
We all share a mutual interest in street music and became known to each other through traditional street performer get togethers such as Winchester Hat Fair, Stroud Folk Festival and Strawberry Fair.
Swervy World was officially launched in Tavistock, Devon, in the winter of 1994. Our first three month tour (1996) was by horse and cart!
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*Do you have other income sources to subsidise your work as musicians?
Some members have alternative employment. Founding member Stephane Spitz is a full time musician and performance artist.
*With the band so spread out, How do you get together to rehearse?
It is a problem! Usually we are booked for a specific show and one full day is set aside for rehearsal, with members travelling to a central point (usually Orpington in South London) to rehearse. Members are expected to put there own time in to rehearse and make an investment in to the collective success of the troupe.
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*Do you do private bookings/weddings?
It is not in the remit of the group to do private bookings as we mean to reach out to communities as a whole, however please ask.. Sometimes we are able to accomodate private shows as part of a bigger tour of an area.
*How do I book Swervy World?
In the first instance, all booking enquiries please email to swervyworld@hotmail.com
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*Do you provide a PA? Stage lights?
Our work is designed to be free from electricity so we can play on the move or in street settings. We attempt to break down barriers between audience and performer and a fine way of doing this is by delivering an all acoustic show.
Occasionally, we will make an indoor show such as in a rural village hall. For this we have a small and inadequate PA! Any further amplification or stage lights will mean hiring additrional sound and lighting engineers.
*Do you have Public Liability Insurance?
Yes, we will also provide a risk assessment form when requested.
*Can you work with no electricity?
Yes. The instrumentation within the band is chosen specifically for the way these instruments sound in an acoustic, outdoor setting.
*Do you also do indoor stage shows.
Occasionally yes, and we have a wealth of interesting music for dancing and listening.. Although we seldom get asked and our specialised field is street arts.
*How long do you perform for?
For street parades and walkabouts 4 x 30mins maximum.
For indoor concerts 2 x 45 mins
For clubs, pubs and static shows 3 x 45 mins
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