A polymath in the truest sense of the word — with his talents stretching across various instruments, production and composition — South London’s Swindle has been at the forefront of UK music and its progression throughout his decade and a half career. Championing what he labels ‘left of centre’, he’s a pinnacle name in genres and movements such as grime, jazz, dubstep and soul. The seminal talent has worked with an assortment of the finest contemporary British talents, from Loyle Carner to Celeste, Ezra Collective to Ghetts.

His most recent outstanding work came in collaboration with Hulu and Channel 4’s June-released TV series Queenie, an adaption of the best selling novel by Candice Carty-Williams. Swindle composed a 10-track score of original music for the show, which includes a singe entitled “Way Back To Me”, which features a standout turn from British-Nigerian singer Bellah, who also stars in the series.

We caught up with Swindle to discuss his work on Queenie, reflect on his back catalogue, and look forward into what’s to come from the production mogul.

Listen to the soundtrack…

Read the exclusive interview…

Hey Swindle! How has your year been so far?  What have you been up to?
A great year so far. Writing music, raising kids, looking after my health and getting ready for the next chapter.
 
Congratulations on your composition work for Queenie! What first drew you to the project? 
After working on BBC/Netflix Champion which Candice also wrote, working on Queenie was a natural and organic step. Candice and I have a great creative relationship. I thought the book was great and its brilliant to see these stories presented on screen.
 
How closely did you work with creator/author Candice Carty-Williams when putting the score together?
We work pretty closely, I’ve gotten to know her taste and we’ve spent time just listening and talking about music in general, this really helps. I’d send ideas, she would send feedback and the process was really collaborative.
 
What drove you to enlist Bellah for a feature? How did that link up come about?
Seeing as Bella is in the show playing Kyazike it felt perfect to feature her in the score. Candice wanted a song for the final moment of the series so we all got together at my studio and put it together. 
 
How was approaching the composition of a score? How did it differ from conceptualising and creating a conventional musical project or album? 
I really love writing to pictures, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and if I’m honest I’ve been advertising it in last 2 albums using cinematic arrangements. Something I didn’t think about before actually doing it is, when you’re writing songs for albums/records the story is often made out of nothing in the moment, I’ve been used to creating stories from scratch. When writing to picture for TV/Film the story is already on screen and you have a road map already meaning you can follow what the screen tells you which is very intuitive.
 
Tonally and sonically, what influenced your work on the score? 
Honestly, the story itself. There’s a lot I can relate to. I love the relationship of the grandparents in this. I also wanted to serve the message of healing and communication with the attention to detail it deserved – so the score does vary quite a bit. In time its very beat driven and in other moments stripped back, intimate and choral.
 
Is this the first of other forays into the world of screen media? Can you see yourself scoring other TV shows or films?
This isn’t my first nor will it be my last. I have something new to offer this world and it’s exciting to be at the beginning of yet another chapter of my already 15 year(ish) career.  
 
How do you feel reflecting on THE NEW WORLD a few years on?
THE NEW WORLD is a moment, my most collaborative and fastest written album. I’m so glad we did that. All my records are like pages in a diary and 2020 was such a unique time I’ll always be able to go back, listen and relive that experience. that album turned the worst year into the best.
 
How was the experience of working with such a plethora of UK talent?
This is what I’m used to, its only now in hindsight I can see my role has always been to connect different worlds of UK music. I have experience and real connections with everyone from Jazz, Grime, R&B, Rap and more. I’ve learned so much of working with such a variety

Talk us through what other endeavours you’ve currently got going on? What does the future hold?
More TV/Film. More albums. More artists to discover! I always prefer to present the work once it’s done rather than share what I’m working on, but I’m busy inspired and feel like I’m entering a new stage I’m excited about.
 
What continues to inspire you to create and push yourself and musical boundaries? 
I really love music, I was bought up around music and I’m bringing up my children the same. It’s my career but not a job its really all I know. I’ve always looked at the greats (Dr Dre, Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy) and as I mature I understand the coming decade will be very important. I’m approaching the age of Quincy meeting Micheal Jackson, Dre 2001, Mowtown golden period. I’ve picked up so much knowledge and I’m still a student of the game, I spend probably half my time trying to learn something new in and out of the studio 
 
To you, what does success look like?
Success to me is longevity, I learned short term goals only lead to the want for more once they have been fulfilled. I’ve played the long game. Success is family, relationships and security. Memories and happiness.