“The Swon Brothers” have come a long way since their spot on “The Voice,” a singing contest broadcasted on NBC. Despite their 3rd place finish on the season’s fourth season, brothers Colton and Zach went on to record their self-titled debut album and set off on tour soon after. They will stop by Rudder Auditorium Friday at 7:30 p.m. for a concert. The Battalion Life & Arts writer Jack Riewe spoke with “The Swon Brothers” about their music and their rise to touring musicians.
THE BATTALION: When did you start making music together?
COLTON SWON: We were just born into it — our parents had a southern gospel group. They had this bus that they made into a touring bus. They gutted it out and took the seats out and put these bunk beds and couches in it. So we just grew up with it, we thought that it was normal just to play music everywhere. We stuck with it, we started writing songs together and when our parents quit we knew we had to keep going and we never looked back.
THE BATTALION: How does your southern gospel background shape your music now?
COLTON SWON: I think it will always shine through a little bit. Maybe not even in music but just who we are as people in the values we have. But in music we released this song called “Pray for You,” we also have this song we do with Carrie Underwood on our first record, “This Side of Heaven.”
THE BATTALION: What was the experience of competing in The Voice like?
ZACH SWON: It was a really good experience. It was a stepping-stone we needed in our career. We play music, and we would still play music either way, but that happened to be the path we took. It was exactly where we should’ve been at that time. Blake Shelton was the coach and more than anything it connected us with millions of fans we would have never have met otherwise.
THE BATTALION: What’s the best thing about making music with your brother?
ZACH SWON: I couldn’t imagine doing it by myself because the road can get a little hectic and lonely even though you’re surrounded by people all the time. The hardest thing about this business is being away from home and family. So it’s really nice to have some family out there with you and we get to experience all of this together. It’s pretty special.
THE BATTALION: What do you hope to bring to your show at Texas A&M?
COLTON SWON: We just hope it’s a good show. We hope it’s a good time. We’ve heard so much about country music fans in that area and Aggieland, I’ve always heard it’s a good show. We’re going to bring high energy and we’re going to bring brand new songs no one’s heard yet.
