Ahead of the release of magnificent new Swans album To Be Kind, Michael Gira speaks to John Doran about that LP's ferocious grooves, his role as band leader, Haitian history, the early days of the group, and his terror at the ever-increasing commercialisation of our society. Photography by Jennifer Church, Sebastien Sighell and Matias Coral
With William Basinski's Arcadia Series opening this week in London, Robert Barry speaks with Basinski, Michael Gira and Rhys Chatham to trace the rich history of New York's artist-run loft spaces and the pioneering music they fostered
Michael Gira's mighty Swans play live at London's Koko this Thursday, 15th November. In advance of the show, Joseph Burnett speaks to the man himself about thirteen of his favourite albums, from Miles Davis and Gorecki to Throbbing Gristle and Pink Floyd
Michael Gira says that being in Swans used to be like "trudging up a sand hill wearing a hair shirt, being sprayed with battery acid, with a midget taunting you". In which case, why has he resurrected the project, asks Frances Morgan
Following sad news that Kraftwerk co-founder Florian Schneider has died, we present a specially compiled Baker's Dozen of artists including Michael Rother, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Marie Davidson and Mark Lanegan on their favourite music by the _kosmische musik_ masters
Dirty Projectors' sixth album, Swing Lo Magellan, marks a shift from the meticulous structures of their previous albums towards a more direct and heartfelt approach to songwriting. Chad Parkhill discussed this transition with lead Projector David Longstreth
On Olga Bell's new album Krai, the Brooklyn-based composer and singer explores the imagined hinterlands of her home country of Russia. She speaks with Ed Power about childhood memories, working with Dirty Projectors and why the album is a work of sonic fiction
Preparing to spend a few days amidst baking heat and baked Europeans, the Quietus staff run through a selection of anticipated highlights from next week's Sonar Festival in Barcelona, from turbo-charged grime and kuduro to blazing techno and industrial pop