Swimming Bell ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸
Swimming Bell is the musical project of Katie Schottland, a singer-songwriter and sonic explorer whose music drifts between the realms of folk, dream pop, and experimental soundscapes. Marked by floating melodies, layered harmonies, and intricate rhythmic textures, Swimming Bell’s sound is both transportive and deeply immersive—like sinking into water where everything is softened and suspended.
Originally from the East Coast and now based in Los Angeles, Schottland’s approach to songwriting is rooted in atmosphere and emotion, crafting songs that feel like daydreams unfolding in slow motion. Her work blends organic instrumentation with ethereal production, creating a unique space where wistful nostalgia meets weightless serenity. Whether weaving hypnotic percussive elements or shimmering guitar lines, Swimming Bell evokes a world that is both grounding and otherworldly.
With each release, Schottland continues to shape a singular voice in modern indie-folk, inviting listeners into a world where time slows and music flows like a quiet current beneath the surface.
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RELEASES
Somnia
An Underwater Dreamworld of Floating Melodies and Percussion-Driven Soundscapes
Swimming Bell, the project of Katie Schottland, returns with Somnia, a mesmerizing five-song EP produced by Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Kurt Vile, Cat Power). Set for release on May 16 via Perpetual Doom, Somnia invites listeners into an ethereal sonic realm—an underwater dreamworld where melodies drift effortlessly and rhythms pulse like ocean currents.
Schottland, now based in Los Angeles, envisioned Somnia as an escape from the weight of reality. Against the backdrop of an increasingly tense world, she sought to create a space where listeners could feel suspended—floating between wakefulness and dreams. Collaborating with Schnapf, she embraced a more percussive approach, allowing textures and rhythms to guide the listener through shimmering soundscapes. Each track unfolds like a dream—buoyant, weightless, yet deeply immersive.
"I wanted this EP to feel like sinking into water, where everything is softened and suspended," says Schottland. "Given all the stress and tension in the world, I wanted to make a feeling of escape—something hypnotic and transportive. Rob and I explored percussive layers in a way that felt both grounding and dreamy, creating movement within stillness."
With its captivating blend of organic instrumentation and airy production, Somnia marks a new chapter for Swimming Bell, further establishing Schottland as a singular voice in modern indie-folk.
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Release Date: May 16, 2025
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