Inspired by the lo-fi experimentation of the Flying Nun roster, distorted ambience of shoegaze, and pop hooks of new wave, Ypsilanti, Michigan-based four-piece Swimsuit serve up a summery slice of noise pop. Comprised of guitarist/vocalists Fred Thomas (City Center, Saturday Looks Good to Me) and Dina Bankole (Secret Twins), bassist/vocalist Amber Fellows (Dos Hermanos), and drummer Shelley Salant (Tyvek), the band began as collaboration between Thomas and Salant, slowly evolving as Bankole and then Fellows joined in to complete the lineup in summer 2009. Working as an egalitarian unit, Swimsuit’s songs began as instrumental jams, forming organically as each member contributed; they adopted a similar approach on stage and in the studio, taking turns leading their own songs and pitching in on the rest. The result is jangly, reverb-inflected pop, elevated by the group’s contrasting vocal harmonies and exuberant energy. While other obligations and tours with different bands beckoned, the band played its first show in early 2010 and by the end of the year offered three recordings on Thomas’ label, Life Like. In spring 2011 on the heels of their first full U.S. tour, Swimsuit released their self-titled full-length debut for the Speakertree label, recorded and mixed by the band in tandem with Thomas’ former City Center partner Ryan Howard. ~ Chrysta Cherrie, Rovi