A MAN MADE OF MUSIC - MARCEL ROSSOUW SWIMMER

By Ruby

A MAN MADE OF MUSIC

By RubySage
13 March 2026

I don’t remember when exactly it was that I met Marcel for the first time; I just know that I am glad I did.   If there is one musician whom I would take advice from – and by that I mean,  ‘not just listen and nod my head with glazed over eyes , ending with me doing what I feel is best for me anyway’,  I mean, actually listen and apply.  
  
His music ‘speaks to me’.  I know that sounds so clichéd.  It’s true though, his music has a way of seeking out the deepest parts of my soul; parts that have been tucked away and kept from a world that would find a way to depreciate them.   

It is true; this review was definitely one of the slowest to reach my blog, not because I am so incredibly busy, or lazy or too busy procrastinating.  But rather because Marcel Roussuw is someone who I have the world of time, admiration and respect for.   Finding the right words to sting along, in an attempt of capturing the essence of the man through my own eyes (and ears!), has become a hopeless task.  

Wanting nothing more than to write an impactful and captivating  piece  that does his work, his music justice , I realise would be a futile attempt on my part.  His is something to experience through his music and by watching him live.. You would have to lose yourself in his music, as I did, to ‘get’ what I’d be trying to say…  I asked Marcel to, briefly,  share a bit about his music journey. and so, without further ado,  my recent Q&A with the man behind THE sound , Marcel Roussow.

 

1, Q; Did you always want to make music?

A: Yes from a young age I was into music and when I was about 7, I was asked by my mom which instrument I’d like to play – I wanted to play the drums, but she was not having any of it and so I ended up playing the trumpet.  I played that in school bands from the age of 8 until I left school.   It was only in matric that I picked up guitar and because a couple of friends wanted to do a song for the school talent show, Metallica’s Nothing else matters. At the last minute the school decided that we were not allowed to perform, which bummed us out.  But the passion for music remained, and we started a band after school.

2. Q: When was the band SWIMMER formed and by whom…? 

A: after school and after a long hiatus, I started playing again in 2019 – I started writing then too.  Two years later I had 10 finished tracks in which I played all the parts.  I had them mixed and mastered by legend, Jo Ellis from Ladismith.  – It was a labour of love!

From there, I recruited people and friends who were musicians, in an attempt to start and band and get a live act going.  I am a graphic designer by trade, but I’ve been fortunate in the sense that I have always moved around in Johannesburg’s creative scene.  I had some super talented people that jumped on board, joining me in this, the start of my project, now band, SWIMMER.

3. Q: Please give a short time line of the bands musical journey and noteworthy shows.

A: Notable shows – our first show was a Afrozodiac gig in an old church –  with my age old friend, Keith Henderson, who is still on bass, and Jerome ( on drums ).   I was very nervous and very terrible: / since then – I’d like to think that we have honed the sound and delivery of Swimmer and we’re getting very positive responses.

Highlights include - sharing the intimate house gig with Laudo Liebemberg and playing the opening act for Arno Carstens at Sowaar East Rand (two absolute masters of the craft). Playing Mieliepop and Kerry Anne’s Allerston’s, ‘Hangout at Troyville.’

I’ve also been building a solo fingerpicking set over the past year, and I’ve really been enjoying that – my first fingerpicking solo set was at Afrozodiac lounge ant that was a definite highlight for me!

There is a lot to look forward to this year. I will be playing at Splashy Fen and Swimmer will be playing Misty Waters!   I am super amped to be playing more of the festival circuit, while I want to keep building on the show and repertoire.

BUT I have to say – I love the local scene and the wonderful people who are so supportive ! Ultimately – the live music scene is a community, and I’m super grateful to be part of it! Thanks Ruby and Sean for what you do! 

4. Q: Singles / albums released and when can people find them.

A; 2022 Album Sirens and Cathedrals available on all streaming platforms. Our last single was  Waterbodies and coming in 20 March 2026 – Feels! There will be many more to come… I have an ever expending list of new demos and songs being primed for the next album – I am super excited! (As are we Marcel!)
There are also some live recordings and unique little noodles on Youtube for those who are curious.

5. Q: Noteworthy /brag rights...?

A: The singles form the first album spent a few weeks in the top ten of Mix FM. I’m hoping the new material does even better!

I’m proud of the fact that Swimmer is now expanding its range and finding new sounds, and I think the writing is getting better. I’m collaborating more and I feel like I’m starting to really connect with an audience. I’m super chuffed that we’re getting onto the festival circuit in 2026 – that was always a goal. But at the end of the day I am just super happy if someone enjoys the music and our performance. So…
Let’s goooo!

6 Q:  Band members.. Who and what each one brings to the band?

A: The band has had a few members come and go over the years, but the core members are Jerome Reynard – Drum (Arno Carstens, Nine, Diesel Whores), Kevin Leicher – Bass (Plum, Arno Carstens, Diesel Whores)

Jerome is a groove machine ( Nine has made some of the grooviest sh*t ever – check them out) he has serious chops! And Kevin is a genius and can play anything, and he plays bass for Swimmer,  although he’s probably best known for his guitar skills in other line-ups (check out Plum if you haven’t yet)

Arnaud Van Vliet ( Battery 9, Blue Chameleon, Diesel Whores) is still our honorary lead guitarist, and sorcerer on the axe  with a magic touch ! Even though he’s now living in France, we still try to rope him in on a recording or a live show when he’s down here.

Other players who have played on the last three recordings are the absolute savant of a drummer, Riaan Van Rensburg (drums) and super-duper Dave Askes (Bass) who both also played with me at Mieliepop last year.

Then there’s also the phenomenal Dean Barrett – who played his funky organ on the coming single “Feels” – wouldn’t have been the same without him!

7. Q: What can we expect in the (near?) future upcoming gigs etc.

A: New single “Feels” being released on 20 March ( pre listen on #jollingwithseanmcbride on Burg.studio online on 13 March)

Fri 13  March – Rumours (Full Band)
Sun 15 March: Railways (Solo)
Sat 4 April : Splashy Fen – Treehouse Stage, 2pm (Solo)
Fri 1 May : Misty Waters (Full Band)

8.Q:  One word of advice for new musos?
A: Practice. Play. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. The best muso’s I know of play the same piece or phrase until it’s second nature. That means a lot of repetition, but it pays off, believe me.

9. Q: One fun fact  that we don't know about you....

A: I like to yodel while looking at office stationery on Temu

10. Q: Most embarrassing moment?

A: I used to make a hot flask with rooibos tea, honey, fresh ginger and whiskey to take on stage – it helps with the voice and nerves – the one time I played at Sowaar East Rand, I had just finished my set, and the sound engineer came up to shake my hand, and I bumped over the flask and spilt all this weird gunk onto the stage.  I don’t make that flask anymore.

11.  Q: Do you do only originals or some covers as well?
A: We try to throw in a cover where we can. In the past we’ve played Chris Isaac’s Wicked Game, Bruce Springsteen’s Ghost of Tom Joad. I also am a big fan of local legends Van Der Want and Letcher, and have played Special Agents a few times in my solo shows. Other songs I currently do in my solo show include Crowded House’s don’t dream it’s over, and Counting Crows’ Round here

12.Q:  Who does the song writing? Can you briefly tell us a bit about your process from the origin to stage?
A: To date, I have done the writing, but Kevin and I have been chatting a lot about collaborating and making it a bigger canvas with more crayons. I love collaboration – the recent recordings with Riaan Van Rensburg and Dave Askes was awesome – everybody has a particular experience with a song, and can bring a new angle to the creation of something.

13. Q: How did you come up with the band name, ‘SWIMMER’?

A: I was hiking in the Namibian desert and on the horizon I saw a mirage. The desert looked like the ocean and I could have sworn that I saw someone swimming in the waves and waving at me.

--------------------------------------

 Now what are you waiting for?  Check out the links below and follow.  This is one experience that will blow your mind and  feed your!

Listen to the full show here: https://musiciansdomain.com/members/jollingwithseanmcbride/activity/6580/

Find and follow Marcel/SWIMMER here:







Comments

Post a Comment

Got something to share or add? We would love to hear from you!