In this episode of Post-punk Heartstrings, we sit down with Emmett and Daniel of The Swoon for a deep, candid conversation about their origins, their music, and the strange, beautiful path that led them from a town of 800 people to national stages and legendary studios. We start at the very beginning — childhood friendships, next-door neighbors, and the formative experiences that shaped their creativity long before a band existed. From riding bikes at night and playing Dungeons & Dragons to discovering music through parents’ record collections and late-night video programs, Emmett and Daniel trace how imagination and curiosity fueled everything that followed. The conversation explores: Growing up in Cottonwood, Minnesota, and how isolation sharpened creativity Family influence, especially poet parents and homes filled with literature and music Early musical experiments, homemade drum kits, and first rehearsals in basements, garages, attics, and church buildings Playing shows at youth groups, American Legion halls, and early festivals The awkward, chaotic reality of first gigs — and how perseverance slowly turned embarrassment into confidence Pivotal moments include: Winning Battle of the Bands competitions at Falcon Heights, Sunshine Festival, and Cornerstone Festival The excitement — and disappointment — of a record deal that fell apart during negotiations How religious expectations and denominational differences unexpectedly derailed a label contract The turning point when Charlie Peacock stepped in, leading to sessions at Neverland Studios in California Inside the Neverland Studios recordings: Charlie Peacock’s role as producer and creative guide The collaborative influence of Derri Daugherty (The Choir), including studio support and sonic shaping The realities of analog recording, limited time, and expensive tape Song selection, production decisions, and the band’s growing confidence in their artistic voice We also discuss: The evolution of the band’s name, from Restricted Access to The Swoon The literary roots of the name, inspired by Emmett’s mother’s poetry Early influences including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Men at Work, and U2 Comparisons to U2 and the band’s embrace of performance, commentary, and emotional intensity in live shows Throughout the conversation, Emmett and Daniel reflect with humor, honesty, and humility — sharing not just the highlights, but the missteps, doubts, and near-misses that shaped The Swoon’s legacy. This is a rich, heartfelt episode about friendship, faith, creativity, and what it means to keep making art even when the path forward isn’t clear. Follow The Swoon Website: https://theswoon.band/ SWOONTube: https://theswoon.band/video/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOJ2i66WETgYaSQDFSc5Khw/videos Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theswoonband Remember The Swoon (Facebook group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/2412843425690573 Follow Jeffrey Kotthoff (Lo-Fidelity) Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.kotthoffBandcamp (Lo-Fidelity Records)https://lo-fidelityrecords.bandcamp.com/Related video Austin Dacey – What I Did on My Summer Vacationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8ZBNmBQTQo&list=RDv8ZBNmBQTQo&start_radio=1 Follow Post-punk Heartstrings Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings/