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 dream world where melodies drift effortlessly and rhythms pulse like ocean currents.
Schottland, now based in LA, 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.”
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.
Schottland offers some additional context for the EP’s first single, “Meet My Shadow”:
“With this song, I wanted to strip things down and focus on the feel – letting the groove take the lead and allowing the melody to float within it.”
TOUR DATES
May 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Oblivion (EP Release Show)
