Breaks and Swells: Seattle's Dynamic Music Collective
Photos by Cydney Stephens
By Emma Schwichtenberg
Since 2013 the Seattle band Breaks and Swells have been stylishly igniting parties, gradually growing their fan base with their unique sound and their diverse lineup.
Marquetta Miller's vocals cut through the exhilarating blend of jazz, rock, soul, funk,and blues with a uniquely sweet and seductive tone. Guitarist Dylan Tubb and keyboardist Noah Goldberg add subtle and artistic layers to the energetic mix. Trumpeter Jason LaMar Chambliss and saxophonist Sam Morrison add a brassy intensity, while drummer Derrick Jones and bassist Brice Ervin create a dynamic and consistently smooth rhythm section.
Their latest LP, Entomology, maintains that infectious energy with tracks like "Botfly." The song captivates with an immersive blend of instrumentation, echoing the funkiness of their past albums. Miller’s vocals evoke an earthiness fitting for a song called "Botfly."
Three members of Breaks and Swells—Marquetta Miller, Dylan Tubb, and Derrick Jones—recently sat down with Converge Music to discuss their journey and musical philosophy:
How did Breaks and Swells first get together?
Derrick was the second or third person to join the band. It was in 2013, and he was working at Liberty Bar in Capitol Hill. Marquetta trained him on his first day, and they talked about playing a jazz gig together with like-minded musicians. We soon began playing together at pretty much any place that was open. We often played at Rocco's — this was in the early days when Rocco's first opened, and we were eager to experiment and collaborate. We started with nine members initially, and then grew to ten at one point. We had an auxiliary player and a third horn, but that eventually became two horns. It was easier to manage with the current lineup. We've mostly been together since 2013 or 2014.
Many bands have a specific type of music they focus on, but they also explore other styles. Why did you decide to focus on funk, soul, and R&B to create new music?
Really, we’re a bunch of nerds who also enjoy country blues, rock, and reggae, but our primary focus is soul music, similar to artists like Sharon Jones or Amy Winehouse. It's the genre we all love and have spent considerable time with. We started out like Anderson .Paak or Thundercat, deeply connecting with the sincerity within this genre. We can genuinely feel the emotions these artists convey when they sing, and it's music we can relate to on a personal level. We consider ourselves a kind of mashup of Stevie Wonder and Billie Eilish. We take inspiration from the sincerity and emotion in their music.
What is it about those artists that you try to incorporate or get inspired from when you're creating music?
We deeply connect with the sincerity within this genre. We genuinely feel the emotions these artists convey when they sing, making it music we can relate to on a personal level. It inspires us to infuse our own music with that same heartfelt expression and authenticity.
Where did the name Breaks and Swells come from?
We had a really long list of names we were working on, but we finally decided on Breaks and Swells because it has a double entendre meaning. We're inspired by the waterside setting, but it also symbolizes the ebbs and flows of music, and the emotions it evokes. We all resonated with that concept. We must've considered at least 100 names before settling on Breaks and Swells.
Do you guys have a favorite song to perform together, either one you like covering or one you wrote together?
Our favorite songs to perform are 'Ladybug' from our album Entomology and 'Be My Man,' which was the first off the album. These songs hold a special place for us as they represent significant milestones in our journey together.
How is the writing process for you guys as a group? How often do you work on projects together versus solo efforts?
In past projects, we've all faced challenging situations. Playing in other groups before caused arguments and lots of egos. It wasn’t sustainable. Maybe they were salty at the time, but this band is different. We support each other and work well together. The experience with Breaks and Swells is much better because we are like a family. We always strive to minimize difficulties, but initially, some members wouldn’t show up, or certain tasks wouldn’t get done. However, in this group, we've learned the importance of apologizing and recognizing that every effort contributes to the group as a whole, not just individually. We function cohesively as a team. At times, someone may be distracted during practice or approach a song differently, but ultimately, everything comes together. When we were younger, we performed solo, and recently we’ve gotten back into it. That level of fear was never the same when you have people backing you up. Making your own mistakes happen, but when there is a group of people behind you, it makes those mistakes less scary. It’s so nice playing with other people, especially a group of people you’ve known for so long.
How do you prepare for a set together before you're about to go on?
When we prepare a set list, we have a tequila soda and go through the list. It's a tradition. We try to work on having transitions during the sets, making sure we’re all on the same page, building the momentum. We like to have a moment with everyone before it's time to get on stage, time to go, time to play.
How was it creating the album together and how did you feel when it was done, even if the production process took long?
Creating the album was great, and it’s an example of how a band can bring in an intense environment. It’s amazing to know that it’s realized in a full way now. The production process was long, but it was worth it in the end.
What are some goals you have for the next year?
We’re always working on new music, and we’re currently diving into new projects for the first time in a while. By the time Entomology came out, we had already started with "Ladybug" and were in the process of developing other tracks. We’re excited about our ongoing projects and looking forward to what’s next.
To stay updated with Breaks and Swells, follow them on Instagram @breaksandswells, or listen to their album "Entomology" on all major streaming platforms.
