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WHO'S SWANKY?

I live to groove and I groove to live. I put things into perspective. I'm a passionate person who brings it to life and to my own craft. I'm a creative singer, songwriter, lyricist, trumpeter, DJ, producer, composer, arranger, music aficionado, lover, fun-lovin' (fun to love and fun to be loved by) and last but not least, all around cool guy. I'm a musician for hire and am becomin' a name that is dropped both locally and internationally. Call me Swanky. I'm out here to musically influence the world and to spread love through music.

Open your mind and I'll open your soul...

This joint is pretty low key...my thoughts spill on the canvas. You can use your paintbrush to make use of the colours.

I am the leader of a hip hop/jazz/funk band called The Vibrasonic Sessions

I am 1/2 of The International Incident a.k.a. I² (with Chile's own Max Damage)

I am Octavio Santos (yes, my birth name) when it comes to trumpet work and vocals

I am Swanky when it comes to mic work and rippin' it lyrically

You will find me in many projects...lend me your eardrums.

DISCOGRAPHY:


TO BE RELEASED|IN UNFORTUNATE LIMBO/COMING SOON:
(INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

CLICKABLES:


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SWANKY on SOUNDCLOUD
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YOUTUBE: SWANKYTV

For bookings, inquiries, recordings and arrangements:
oncsantos6 (at) gmail (dot) com
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21 February 12
Looks like I’m off to see the man who did this… If anyone wants to see him with me, holla at me! He’ll be in with his quartet…no horns, but so worth it! My boy Jay Cleary cleared it up with me that there will be a live band and he’s runnin’ the event so I got it from the source. Thanks dude!I missed the early bird tickets, but it was $2 cheaper…s’all good. I was talkin’ to my friend Rob (the dude playin’ the bass - who gave me those free tickets back in 2009 of December to see Zero 7 cuz he was their bassist…thank you once again) and it’s too bad I won’t see him since he’s not gonna be playin’ that night. BUT…he tells me it might be Richard on the kit! I’m skippin’ GZA & Masta Killa that night for this…but I heard GZA comes to Toronto every year.

Looks like I’m off to see the man who did this…

If anyone wants to see him with me, holla at me! He’ll be in with his quartet…no horns, but so worth it! My boy Jay Cleary cleared it up with me that there will be a live band and he’s runnin’ the event so I got it from the source. Thanks dude!

I missed the early bird tickets, but it was $2 cheaper…s’all good.

I was talkin’ to my friend Rob (the dude playin’ the bass - who gave me those free tickets back in 2009 of December to see Zero 7 cuz he was their bassist…thank you once again) and it’s too bad I won’t see him since he’s not gonna be playin’ that night. BUT…he tells me it might be Richard on the kit!

I’m skippin’ GZA & Masta Killa that night for this…but I heard GZA comes to Toronto every year.

26 January 12

D’Angelo - Chicken Grease - Live In Stockholm (26/01/12)

HOLY MOTHERFUCKIN’ SHIT!!! COME TO TORONTO NOW!!!!

COMEBACK!!!!!

9 January 12

Allen Stone - Unaware (Live From His Mother’s Living Room)

My recent hero.

It tells me that there are still REAL singers out there who don’t mess with autotune. I don’t understand how people can go crazy for singers who use it. It’s a crutch…use your God given natural voice if you have it…if you don’t, then maybe singin’ is not your path. Maybe be a songwriter for others? I dunno man…I’m just sick of R2D2s and C3POs.

No more robots.

Please.

I wanna hear humans.

You wouldn’t figure him for a soul singer…well, don’t judge a book by its cover even if books are given covers to judge an opinion. Open it first.

Seattle has a gem.

7 January 12

Betty Wright & The Roots Feat. Joss Stone - Whisper In The Wind

Never have I bugged out so much for an album. Like, I have…but you really need to impress me HARD to be all nuts about an album.

I’ll call an album sick, good, ok or aight…but “Betty Wright: The Movie“…ONE OF THE BEST RELEASES OF 2011!!!!!

I was in a euphoric state of mind.

GRAMMY! GRAMMY! GRAMMY! GIVE THEM ALL A GRAMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you see how passionate I get with music? Stuff like this pushes me to make music.

“Undun” was a sick Roots album of 2011…but if you wanna throw tomatoes or sticks of dynamite at me when I say Betty’s album trumps “Undun“…

…

…

…

Just waitin’ for y’all to throw shit at me.

It’s two different genres right?

I’M SO EXCITED WITH THIS ALBUM. BEST $14.99 I’VE EVER SPENT.

You know what…if I had a shit ton of money, I’d buy EVERYONE (provided you’re cool with me) THIS ALBUM. I WILL SHELL OUT TO BUY ALL OF YOU ONE.

That’s how much I believe in this album. I love it so much.

Old school meets new school.

It’s unbelievably good from start to finish.

Posted: 1:19 AM

Anthony Hamilton - The Point Of It All

This, my Tumblr followers, is a certified wedding song. The Avila Brothers produced it…I didn’t even know…and well, you already know what I think of them.

I’ve written a Christmas song, I’ve written numerous love songs (that y’all will hear in time)…but a wedding song? Wait…are they one in the same? Kinda. But hey…gotta add that to the writing block =)

I can’t stay away from you too long
Even if I do I’ll always call
Checkin’ on you, make sure you’re ok
Be the one to brighten up your day

And the point of it all
Is I love you
Yeah…
You know I love you baby

My days seem long
Whenever we’re apart
It’s like someone
Has thrown away my heart
You’re a major part of my life
And no matter what the storm may bring
I’m fine with you

And the point of it all
Is I love you
And the reason for it all
Is I love you

(3x):
Oh, I love you
Oh, I love you
Oh

I can’t stay away too long
I can’t stay away from you baby
I can’t stay away too long
Don’t wanna be without you
I need you
I can’t stay away too long
Oh, why don’t you stay around for a while?
I can’t stay away too long

And the point of it all (4x)
Ohhohhh, and the reason for it all
And the point of it all
Is I love you
Yeah
I love you, love you, love you…

Whenever we’re apart
It damn near starves my heart
I don’t ever want to be apart
I don’t want to be without you girl

6 January 12

Anthony Hamilton - Back to Love Track by Track: “I’ll Wait (To Fall In Love)”

And I’ll be doin’ some of this for y’all when I finish my songs up…breakin’ it down. The point of why I put my feelings into each song…its relevance…the story behind it. If you’ve been focused on my blog, you know I’ve done it already in words…type, type, typin’ away…

I could dissect it to the nth degree. Some y’all who I’ve had the privilege of having an ear behind my reasonings (in person or on the phone) for writing the songs on my album know what’s up and how much heart I put into it lyrically.

The song that he’s talkin’ about is here.

5 January 12

Anthony Hamilton - I’ll Wait (To Fall In Love)

I just copped Anthony Hamilton’s “Back To Love” album and man…this is my favourite cut!!!!!

The Avila Brothers (Bobby and IZ) aren’t unknown to the music production biz, but today was when I paid attention to them. I’m sure I’ve listened to plenty of R&B and they produced some of them. These Latinos are too dope with it!!!

That sitar is sooooooo key!!!

It was my good morning joint!

It’s one of those productions that I wish I had the privilege of workin’ on.

31 December 11

Eric Roberson Feat. Omari Hardwick - Love’s Withdrawal

You know how much I’m a fan of Eric Roberson with respect for his music. If you follow me intently, you know.

I tweeted him last night and he responded back.

@SwankySwagger tweets

@IAmEricRoberson responds

@SwankySwagger RT responds

Omari Hardwick’s spoken word poetry at the end capped it off nicely!

DIG.

20 December 11

Vocal Paint - My Butterfly

This is my brotha Jason Simmons. If y’all don’t know. NOW YOU KNOW. Vocal Paint is a project series which is dedicated to creating lullabies in acappella for young children. I still think it’s grown folk music.

I’m really amazed at how this project turned out.

We’ve spoken about makin’ music when he saw my drummer, keyboardist and I in the studio t’werkin’ the drum work for my cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Rocket Love”.

He’s totally down which is great.

I’mma get work in with him in the new year.

Enjoy this though, especially for y’all who have trouble sleeping.

Watch him here as well.

10 December 11

Minnie Riperton Feat. Peabo Bryson - Here We Go

THIS IS SUCH A SICK DUET!!!! I’ve been listenin’ to this all day…like ALL DAY and ALL DAY YESTERDAY!!! The arrangement is SO DOPE!!! The entries in 1:06 and 5:47 make me feel it large!

RESPECT TO DAZ-I-KUE for makin’ this joint known cuz I didn’t even know of this track until yesterday when he spun it on RBMA radio along with my track =)

FYI: He says it’d be a great idea to work on music sometime. WHAT, WHAT?!

I need to go hunting for the “Love Lives Forever” record downtown…I have to!!! I NEED IT!!!!! LOL!!!!!

Yup! This is what’s playin’ in my iPod. LOVE IT!

I swear, if someone were to steal my iPod touch AGAIN like last time (whoever has it can be happy with it, IDGAF punk ass), they’d be musically happy. My friend Brook made a meet appointment with me sometime this week or next to grab food and for me to fill her iPod…ain’t that awesome? She’ll love my selections! =D

5 December 11

Dwele - Travelin’ Girl (live music video)

This is truly Vibrasonic! Ohhh man!

MAN’S GOT SOUL…REAL SHIT. NO AUTOTUNE.

We joke around the band that Case and I use autotune…but f’real…HELLLLLLLL NAWWWWW. NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVERRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Hey band…wanna do somethin’ like this?!

P.S. I know I haven’t blogged about the December 3rd show yet. I’ll get on it. I’m processin’ videos from the show within my MacBook ;)

4 December 11

Maysa Feat. Dwele - Flower Girl

OHMIGAWD. I’m gonna playin’ this out all day and night. How did I just hear of this now?!?!?!!!!

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!

This is hittin’ me SO HARD.

29 November 11

Jesse Boykins III - Intro/Fever

This joint is SOOOOOOO DIRRRRRTY!!! I am forever gonna look like I ate a whole lemon when I listen to this. It’s a sonic soundscape!

It’s just…

AHHHHH…

LOVE IT.

28 November 11

Jesse Boykins III - Come To My Room (Live @ 92Y Tribeca)

I can’t stop listenin’ to this joint that to the point that I had to refer to the live version. The smooth emotion…the feeling. FUCK. Last post was the album version.

I’m gettin’ goosebumps.

I’m feelin’ it.

This shit is gettin’ to me like you have no idea. It’s the only song I listen to over and over and over again on “The Beauty Created”.

I’d like to work with the dude. Let’s see if he’s approachable.

I didn’t have trouble approachin’ Nicholas Ryan Gant.

Gawd…I wanna make some eye/ear/heart openin’ music. Oh the good shit.

Music is like a beautiful woman…one you take care of, one you’re always engaged in and kept in check. That’s what’s up.

P.S. The hair is swag. If I could grow it out like that…I’d do it.

27 November 11

Jesse Boykins III - Come To My Room

I’m in the studio right now doin’ horn lines with harmony and I’m kinda goin’ nuts cuz there’s a click that I can’t find in the waveforms. I’m goin’ NUTS. I swear I’ve wiped it out…I think I’m stupid, deaf, blind…or all three.

I’m at ease right now though as I listen to this. GOOD LAWD. You should see my face.

This is just.

YEAH.

LATE NIGHT STUDIO VIBES.

Oh…my life.

It’s the thug life.

HAHA.

Wait what?


This is what Jesse had to say on the YouTube descript:

“When I created The Beauty Created I aimed to make music that symbolizes moments of love at every level. It has been 2 years since the task and I feel as if I have made these very moments with all of you. I know the best way to show my appreciation is to continue our connection by making more passionate music. I am truly grateful for every ear that has heard a song from that album, and shared a song with their loved ones. I will continue to insist on romance in every lyric I put melody to. Thank You…”

Themed by Hunson. Originally by Josh