Inga Swearingen: First Rain

Inga Swearingen always loved singing, whether it was with her elementary school choir in San Luis Obispo, California, or performing her own songs in high school, or during her years of voice lessons. But it may have been joining a jazz choir while pursuing her education at Cuesta College that sealed her decision to be a jazz singer. In 2003, after studying with Swiss artist Susanne Abbuehl, she won the Shure Jazz Voice competition at the world-renowned Montreux Jazz Festival. She earned a master’s degree in choral conducting from Florida State University, then returned to California, where she now performs, works on recording projects, and teaches at Cuesta College — her old alma mater. First Rain is her latest CD.

Tell us a bit about First Rain, your new cd? How did the album come about?

First Rain features music and song rooted in family, nature, love and human spirit. It’s a mix of homegrown folk, and soulful jazz, with guitar, stand up bass, violin, cello and vocal harmonies by my sister, Britta.

Last year my friend said, “It’s time for you to record again, lets have a party”. So we put on a couple of house concerts at the farm that helped to fundraise for the project. I was surprised and touched by people’s generosity. We made this together, and the music is filled with that gratitude and love.

What is your favorite track from the cd? Tell us a bit about the song.

“Brick by Brick” is a song I sing with my sister that compares my experience of living in a farm-house that was being remodeled for seventeen years — to a transitional place in life where one must rebuild from the ground up.

How did you go about choosing or writing songs for an album? How long is the process from start to finish?

When I arrange a song, I try to get to the essence of the lyric and find a musical way to communicate that. And when I write, I’m pulling from everything that inspires me, be it jazz, classical, folk, rock, anything good..

The actual recording goes down pretty quickly — it’s the gathering of songs that takes the most time for me. This project took about a year.

I have read that you described the album as “Swedish Farm Jazz”. How would you describe this type of music? What song on the album best represents Swedish Farm Jazz and why?

I view jazz as a big umbrella — a lot that can fit under there in my opinion. On this album, we incorporate jazz harmony and improvisation and the sense of exploration that jazz encourages, while using rhythms and feels other than straight ahead swing. I’ve found that European jazz draws heavily from the folk songs of particular regions. They have a very broad definition of jazz, which certainly resonates with me.

When creating, I try not to fence myself in with a particular genre. However, eventually you must describe your music to others. Having spent time in Sweden as a child I have a fondness for the language and the music. We cover a traditional Swedish tune “Visa Fran Jarna”, which is one of my favorites on the album.

How is this cd different than your previous recordings?

It feels like it’s my most personal work to date because I wrote 5 songs on the album about my home (a small farm in California), and my family mostly. Even the standards and traditional songs are rooted in themes of nature, love and human spirit. I’ve given myself the time to gather material, find the musicians and sit at the mixing board making decisions about how to best present the songs in an honest way. I think this has given the album cohesiveness and fluidity.

'Whatever' from the 30th Anniversary Special

How has appearing on the A Prairie Home Companion affected you or your audience? Have you noticed a new breed of fans showing up at your concerts?

The opportunity to perform on A Prairie Home Companion has not only provided me with lifetime musical memories, it has also expanded my audience to places that I have not yet been able to tour. I’m an independent artist who books my own shows and plans my own tours, so to receive an email from a PHC listener inviting me to their town is an incredible offer. I’m touched that people take the time to email, and I try to write everyone back.

You have appeared on A Prairie Home Companion as a featured guest many times over the past years. We have been taking a quick look back in honor of the 35th Anniversary of the program. Do you have any favorite memories from your guest performances or of the show? Are there any favorite guest performances that you recall hearing that stand out?

I remember singing a song by Rich Dworsky at Tanglewood a few years ago and the poem mentioned birds, just then birds began to chirp in the rafters and we all heard it. Even the radio listeners heard them! It was magical.

And yes, every time Jearlyn Steele is on the show I am moved by her passion and joyous spirit. She sings from her heart.

"Hush Little Baby'

Do you remember anything special about the 30th Anniversary concert?

I loved singing “Hush Little Baby” with 30th anniversary lyrics, a cappella with the audience. They sang their part with such confidence, and that allowed me to scat sing over the top.

How can fans keep in contact with your touring schedule/appearances?

My website has a full listing of tours and upcoming performances and also a way for folks to write to me. I do like hearing from you and staying in touch!


359 comments

  • LEE ULTIMATE HACKER: Compassionate Recovery Advocate with Expertise in Sustainable Recovery.
    After a catastrophic hack, recovering one’s bitcoin holdings can be a difficult and complicated process, but it is possible to recover what was lost with the correct advice and knowledge. In my situation, I was the victim of a very skilled cyberattack that caused my digital assets to instantly disappear from my cryptocurrency wallet. As I struggled with the fact that my financial security had been torn away, panic and despair crept in. But I didn’t lose hope, and after doing a lot of research, I found Lee Ultimate Hacker service that is well-known for its capacity to locate and retrieve stolen cryptocurrency. When I contacted their staff, they listened carefully to the specifics of my experience and responded in a kind and sympathetic manner. The Lee specialists started painstakingly tracking the movements of my stolen money, traversing the complex world of cryptocurrency transactions, by utilizing their extensive understanding of blockchain technology and hacking techniques. They pursued the digital trail with unwavering resolve, revealing the intricate network of wallets and exchangers the hackers had employed to hide their activities. The Lee Ultimate team was able to locate my missing assets using their advanced investigative methods and state-of-the-art equipment, which paved the way for the recovery procedure.
    What followed was a delicate and intricate operation, as the Lee professionals collaborated with law enforcement agencies and cryptocurrency exchanges to freeze the illicit funds and initiate the retrieval process. This involved navigating a maze of legal and technical hurdles, but the team’s expertise and persistence paid off, and eventually, I was overjoyed to see my cryptocurrency holdings restored to my rightful wallet. The sense of relief and restored peace of mind was palpable, and I am forever grateful to the Lee team for their tireless efforts in guiding me through this harrowing ordeal and helping me reclaim what was rightfully mine. For more insight; LEEULTIMATEHACKER@ AOL. COM
    telegram:LEEULTIMATE
    wh@tsapp +1 (715) 314 – 9248

    Renee Gina
  • LEEULTIMATEHACKER@ AOL. COM
    telegram:LEEULTIMATE
    wh@tsapp +1 (715) 314 – 9248
    A Call for Awareness and Vigilance. As a college lecturer in Amsterdam, I’ve always emphasized the importance of financial literacy and critical thinking. However, I recently faced a harsh lesson when I lost $25,000 to a fraudulent Coin Trade platform. This experience was not only financially devastating but also an eye-opener regarding the prevalence of scams in the cryptocurrency space. Initially drawn in by promises of high returns and user-friendly interfaces, I believed I had conducted thorough research. Unfortunately, the allure of quick profits clouded my judgment. The platform appeared legitimate at first, complete with a polished interface and convincing testimonials. However, when I attempted to withdraw my funds, I encountered numerous obstacles, making it clear that I had fallen victim to a sophisticated scam. This incident highlighted the critical need for education about online trading and cryptocurrency investments. Scammers are becoming increasingly adept at creating convincing schemes, and the signs of fraud can be subtle. It’s essential for investors to remain vigilant, perform thorough due diligence, and .maintain a healthy skepticism toward offers that seem too good to be true. After realizing the extent of my loss, I felt frustration and helplessness. Fortunately, I connected with a skilled recovery expert who specializes in assisting individuals affected by similar scams. Their guidance was invaluable in navigating the complex process of fund recovery, and I was able to reclaim a significant portion of my lost funds. For anyone facing similar challenges—having lost money to fraudulent platforms—I strongly encourage you to seek help. Lee Ultimate Hacker proved to be a reliable resource, and I can personally attest to the effectiveness of their services. Their dedicated team understands the intricacies of these scams and can assist in recovery efforts. Ultimately, sharing my experience aims to raise awareness and educate others about the risks associated with cryptocurrency investments. By fostering an environment of knowledge and vigilance, we can better protect ourselves and our communities from falling victim to such scams. Let’s continue to learn from one another and promote safer investing practices in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

    Julia Dale
  • BENEFITS FOR NEW MEMBERS JOINING ILLUMINATI.

    This is my statement about how I finally joined the new world order, the Illuminati, after trying to join for over two years, but scammers took money from me several times. I have been trying to join the Illuminati for so long but scammers keep stealing money from me until earlier this year I met Lord Mike Fisher online, contacted him and explained everything to him and he recommended me the registration used and I paid for it. A big member has made it easier for me to get started and I was initiated into the world order. Upon completion of my initiation, I will receive the sum of $2,000,000. I am very happy! And promise to spread the good work of Lord Mike Fisher. If you are interested in joining the Illuminati of the New World Order today, contact Lord Mike Fisher today. He is your best chance to become the member of the Illuminati you have always wanted. Contact Lord Mike Fisher via Email: : adamslord85@gmail.com

    Władysława
  • I’m here to attest to the efforts of Recovery Hacker101, who helped me retrieve my money that had been stolen by con artists, leaving me defenseless and unable to pay my expenses. A buddy of mine was able to assist me by providing their contact information which is written below, he will assist you in getting your lost money back. Contact Recovery Hacker101 if you have fallen victim to any cryptocurrency, binary options, internet scams, mobile spying, or mobile hacking; they come highly recommended and were effective in recovering my lost money. They helped me recover my funds worth over $650,000 bitcoin loss, they are the best. Below is their contact details: INFO Email: recoveryhacker101[at]gmail[dot]com.

    Ethan Long
  • I was lost and discouraged after falling for a cryptocurrency fraud, but Recovery Hacker101 and their outstanding staff helped me find peace of mind. I had hope for a better future because of their unwavering dedication and thorough comprehension of the complex world of cryptocurrencies. My trust in the cryptocurrency world was reestablished as a result of their professional advice and individualized approach during the recovery procedure, which also successfully returned my lost Bitcoin. I will always be appreciative of their outstanding support, and I heartily endorse their knowledge to anyone in need. Email: recoveryhacker101(@)gmail.com

    Christy Judkins

Leave a comment