Swords are a three-piece band formed in 2010 from Dublin, Ireland consisting of Diane Anglim, Ian Frawley and Jarlath Canning. Swords have described themselves as an alternative band that blend guitars, synths, samples, drums, and piano hooks with haunting and intimate vocals. Some music writers have compared the band to Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ane Brun, Portishead, Cat Power & Zola Jesus. Early demo Swords' first demo was received positively by Irish critics, with Hot Press magazine's Jackie Hayden making Swords his "pick of the fortnight" in May 2011, noting their ticking rhythm and brilliant hooks and the same publication praising Anglim's "deceptively caustic vocals". With BalconyTV's video blogger Tina Edwards described Swords track Chasm as Electronica meets Zooey Deschanel (She and Him). The same month saw their track "Chasm" winning the Hot Press and Bulmers Berry 'Whos Hiding in The Undergrowth' national songwriting, creative writing and artist competition. Black Balloon Swords released their debut EP Black Balloon in February 2012. The four track EP was produced by Karl Odlum, (brother of Grammy winning producer Dave Odlum) and included the a re-recording of the track Chasm and 3 new tracks including the title track Black Balloon. The EP was supported by a 25 date Irish Tour, which saw the band play venues like The Roisin Dubh & McCarthys Dingle and festivals like The Camden Crawl, Vantastival, Knockanstockan climaxing with a headline show on The Salty Dog Stage at Electric Picnic Black Balloon was lauded by Hot Press Magazine, who regularly feature the band since its release, given a 4 star review by Music Review Unsigned, and described as multifaceted and a relief from world of single-strum guitar bands by Golden Plec. Entertainment.ie backed up this view calling the band 'unafraid' and stating that the EP 'stands out from the rest of the pack'. Momentum gathered for the band off the back of these reviews and 2fm Broadcaster Dan Hegarty began to champion the band playing the title track from the EP regularly on his show and inviting the band for sessions in RTE 2FM's Studio 8 and a live session at the Electric Picnic festival One single was released from the Black Balloon EP – The track Chasm. Director Sebastian Escalante created the video for the single. He had already worked on live videos for Irish Acts villagers, Mick Flannery, Wallis Bird, The Ambience Affair, The Man Whom & Halves but