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We find out all we can about the Newcastle artist ahead of the release of the Dawg & Pigeon EP, which drops on 30th May
By NARC. on Friday, May 23rd, 2025
Who are you and where are you from?
I’m Dan Swift, or Swifty, or Mr Swift. I’m an artist from West Denton, Newcastle. Born and bred. If you’re from round here, you’ll know – I’m either making noise onstage, laying it down in the booth, or sinking one with the lads.
What is it you do?
I make music that captures the quiet chaos of being young right now, to be honest being British in general. It’s a mix of grime, garage, 2-step, and UK rap. I like making tracks that have been built for the rave, the walk home, afters – and everything in between. I just let the small moments speak for themselves. Everyday life and its little details. Whether it’s a beat-up Corsa or a tech fleece zipped to the chin – that’s the world I come from, so that’s the world I’ll talk about.
How long have you been doing it?
I’ve been doing it for years. It started in 2020 when I released my first instrumental on SoundCloud – got a bit of local buzz, but everyone was expecting me to rap on it, so I knew I had to go back to the drawing board. I dropped the first few tracks, picked up some rhythm, and started performing and hosting local shows. I spent 2021 and 2022 connecting with the creative scene and earning my stripes. By 2023, things started to click. I stopped chasing a sound and found my own. At the start of 2024, I released Wanna Know. It did really well, got played on Radio 1 and led to more bookings. I’m getting both regional and national attention now. Since then, it’s felt like I’ve had the green light to make what I hear into something authentic, playful, and true to who I am.
What inspires you?
What inspires me most are the real-life experiences and the people around me, friends, family, creatives and supporters. Also, just the freedom and creativity that comes with making your own music – being able to do it your own way. I own a studio now, and getting time after work to just do my thing – that’s everything.
Tell us about your work/music.
I work at Feds Chicken in Grainger Market, I’ve been there for a few years now. The market is one of the places that just has a soul. It’s iconic in Newcastle. Everyone knows it, and everyone in there’s grafting, running their stalls, putting in proper work. There’s a strong sense of community too – the support I’ve had from the people in there, from shop owners to regulars, it’s helped keep me going while I build this music thing.
For me, Feds is the side – it keeps things ticking over. Honestly, I’d rather spend eight hours in the studio than eight hours cooking chicken in the kitchen. I’m in the studio after work, late at night, and at weekends. Music gives me that sense of purpose. I’m doing it because I believe in it more than anything now.
What have you got coming up in the future?
After the Dawg & Pigeon EP drops on May 30th, I’m taking a small intermission – a little breather. But straight after that, I’ve got a summer single called Motorola coming. I’m also working on a few collaborations as always with artists like Sengi, Lofty, and Eyeconic, so there’s plenty on the way.
We’ve got a Method Radio takeover on May 31st to celebrate the EP, which I’m excited about – that one be special. And I’m also working on a collab burger with Feds to go along with the whole Dawg & Pigeonvibe, so yeah – things are aligned right now. It’sDawg & Pigeon season.
Where can people find out more about you?
You can catch me on Instagram, TikTok YouTube & Twitter at @danswiftx and stream the tunes on all major platforms. If you’re local to the North East, you’ll probably see me about — at a gig, in the studio, or just grabbing a pint somewhere.
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© NARC magazine 2025