Reluctant Rock Royalty

When I arrived at the barren former warehouse where LA-based alt metal band, Swan Song, was set to perform, I was told that frontwoman, Bit Rawn, had been waiting for ten minutes. Obsessive punctuality was just one of the many personality quirks I was alerted to as I was led backstage to where pixie-like Rawn was picking at her Taco Bell wrappers. The look of disdain on her face, however, seemed to be reserved for her burrito alone as she looked up at me with a smile. After a short delay while a bandmate retrieved a mild sauce packet for her, I got to sit down with the self-proclaimed 'little singer that could' to talk about touring with the boys, Christian rock bands, and Dad.

So, Bit. Tell us what it's like to be on tour with primarily men. It's got to be a little tough.
You know, I never really give it much thought, to be honest. If I sit down and think about the fact that there are dirty underwear floating around the van and Little Debbie snacks mashed into clothes that probably cost more than the van itself, I'd go crazy. You get used to the smell sooner or later. [laughs]

It's got to be hard to keep yourself looking spring fresh, too.
It can be. Sometimes, we get the chance to rent a hotel room and all of the bands will take turns with the showers, but you invest in dry shampoo and baby wipes and you keep going.

The record is doing great, so the hard work to keep clean seems to be paying off.
Yeah, totally. It's crazy.

Your first single, "I'm So Sick" has been making its way up the charts, but the content is pretty dark for a Hot 100 single. What do you think is drawing that crowd to your music?
I think the song's something you can relate to. Everyone finds something in their life that makes them feel crazy. It could be home or work or school or whatever. It's an identifiable feeling.

"Fully Alive" was just announced as your second single.
Yeah, we just wrapped the video.

Do you think this song will do just as well, considering the story described isn't something entirely identifiable?
Oh, I disagree with that. The song is about hope. I suppose if you put it in front of some heavy guitar and bass parts, it might seem a little dark, but no. The song is about a girl who is sick, but she wakes up every day with a smile. It's about learning to live with life without giving up on it and realizing that your problems aren't problems... they're that day.

Do you think the misconceptions about the stories your songs tell are causing some of the debate over whether your band is a Christian rock group or not?
I suppose so. [sighs] I mean... I never really go into a song with the intention to make it a song about my beliefs. I am a Christian, yes, but I am not writing songs to proclaim my love for Jesus or... What was it I read on that website? Indoctrinate. I'm not trying to sell any sort of viewpoint. And I think trusting the listener with the song's meaning is what is causing whatever debate there might be. That among many other things.

Would your father be one of those other things?
[pause] Again, I suppose. Though, my father really has nothing to do with my band. He supports it and he helped bring me to life and he passed on whatever talent gene...

Is that why you generally refuse questions on the subject?
Yes. My band and his band are completely different entities and, really, have different places in the industry.

But this summer, you're going on tour with your father's band as well The Walking Dead on the 10,000 Days Tour. Do you think it will be strange touring with your father?
I'm sure it'll open my eyes about a few things. And, really, I can only learn from Dad and Emmett. They're great musicians. Our band's the baby in the mix and I can see us learning so much from them.

Such as?
Well, how to keep things together, for starters. We're so young. The band's only been together for four years now and this will be the first tour we do where we're not packing a van every night. It's just going to be a good learning experience. ♦