In spite of her role in Swans history, Jarboe easily could be called a true individual and a authentic artist. She has her own style and vision. All these things she brought to Swans, and all these things she continues to create as a solo-artist. After band’s breakup Jarboe recorded only one album with her old colleagues – “The Seer”. A little one distraction of her successful solo-career, which she has started in 90’s. In this interview for Punk Globe magazine, Jarboe talks about her first impressions of Swans music, about her relationships with band members after a long break, about her work with Attila Csihar and Phil Anselmo and her future plans.

Punk Globe: In 1991, you started your solo career when Swans began to quietly move away from the well-known teeth-crushing sound and released "White Light from the Mouth of Infinity". Can you tell me, what was the incentive for going solo?

Jarboe: I’m far too prolific an artist to be satisfied with one collaborative project. I am a songwriter as well as a musician and vocalist with my own vision. I actually view the Skin album ‘Blood Women Roses’ as my first full length solo album recorded in 1986 released on vinyl and compact disc. Prior to that, ‘Walls Are Bleeding’ from 1983/84 was my first e.p. released on cassette.

Punk Globe: I would personally describe your debut - "Thirteen Masks", as a departure from experimental music more in the direction of alternative rock. But despite this, you wrote the album with the same people with whom you worked for many years. Michael Gira, Norman Westberg and Clinton Steele. Tell us, what was it like to write this album and what was the reason for avoiding the usual Swans sound?

Jarboe: I wrote most of the material on that solo album. Two songs have words by Michael and one song has words by both Michael and myself. Everything else is composed and authored by me. As for working with particular musicians, it is because they were available.

Punk Globe: In research for this interview, I found alot of information that when you first heard Swans, you immediately decided for yourself that you should become a member of the band. So, you always were clear with what kind of music you want to perform?

Jarboe: Yes, at that time I decided to move to New York City’s East Village to collaborate in the Swans project.

Punk Globe: I don’t really want to focus on your role in Swans because you also have lots of good solo work. But… For a number of reasons, you have left away from the band quite severely. At the same time, you still appeared on the last full-length album “The Seer”. How did the reunion with the band happen?

Jarboe: I also sang live during the set in one of the shows in the recent final tour of this line-up of the Swans project because I was asked to do so and I was in town. I also participated in the upcoming Swans documentary film, ‘Where Does A Body End’ and the upcoming Swans book, 'Power and Transcendence.'

​Punk Globe:​ ​And speaking about musicians. The members of the band has changed quite a lot over the years. What was it like working with the new members?

Jarboe:​ ​Swans has always been a project and not a band with regular members. I am still the only one other than the creator of the project, Michael, to remain in the project from the day I got involved until the day Michael decided to terminate the project after the 1997 tour/1998 releases.

Punk Globe: Let’s get back to the present time. One year ago you released a solo album "As Mind Dissolves as Song Begins". The release of the album was so so - to be honest, I heard it six months later. But along with this I can say that for me - this is one of your most powerful recordings. So, did you manage to show your personality prevail on this album?

Jarboe: That album is another work where I not only wrote everything buy I also play all the instruments both real and digital. It is a digital album and a cd version is now in the Art Box which is a special project of 4 cds and art encased in an embossed box. As for the atmosphere, it is duality. Rage versus Contemplative. The rage came from observing the hate speech of a particular political rally and the contemplation came from staying the translations of the love poems of the mystic Rumi.

Punk Globe: Your best work is the album "Anhedoniac". Although, of course, people will always compare your last work with the best Can you tell me, if you hypothetically compare these two albums. Do you think you managed to do things on "As Mind Dissolves as Song Begins" that you didn't do on "Anhedoniac"?

Jarboe:​ ​‘Anhedoniac’ is a different animal entirely. It is about the addiction to the inability to experience pleasure. It is a personal album about my time in Swans. ‘As Mind Dissolves As Song Begins’ is a commentary on the divisive mood in the United States. It not a diary of my heart like the ‘Anhedoniac’.

Punk Globe: You know, if your last album was released with not alot of fanfare, I do remember how everyone was so excited by the "Mahakali". One of those things that had myself interested was Phil Anselmo and Attila Csihar who appeared on the album as guest vocalists. Two unlikely personalities for heavy music. How did you’ve get the idea to record with them and were you satisfied with the end result?

Jarboe: ‘Mahakali’ was not self-released. It was on two record labels with publicists. I prefer to use Distrokid now and have the work available for download and streaming stores online. I also completely changed my website and hired professionals to make it happen so that I could have my own work for download on my www.thelivingjarboe.com store at an even higher quality file than online download stores. ​ ​Both Philip and Attila are friends just as the men who are on my ‘The Men Album’ such as Blixa Bargeld and Edward Ka-Spel and Steve von Till of Neurosis. Yes, I am very happy with the contributions all of these friends made. It was wonderful to sing live with Attila on stage as well.

Punk Globe: The last question: What would you like to achieve with your next album, and which musicians would you like to work with?

Jarboe: I am currently working on three 2018 new projects. One is the second Blackmouth digital download and streaming album with John Bergin and Brett Smith. The first Blackmouth was released in 2000. For this current Blackmouth album, I will have a science fiction approach with cut up technique like I used on my psychedelic ‘Primal Baroque’ album - which by the way is one of my own personal favorites - along with ‘Wabi Sabi’ and ‘Zen Jazz’… I am also working with three record labels. Translation Loss in the United States who are releasing a vinyl edition of the Byla and Jarboe album this year will be releasing an e.p. of my new work.​ ​I am also doing a 40 minute project for a European label, Consouling Sounds. That will be vinyl and cd.​ ​I am also in 2019 recording a special album with pianist Anni Hogan for another U.S. label. That project is secret for now re more details. As for other musicians, Father Murphy from Italy and I are about to do 8 more shows in Europe including Roadburn Festival this month, April. We did a full European tour last autumn. In June, we are going to Tasmania in Australia to perform at the Dark Mofo festival.If anyone wants to read more about me, please go here for a short bio and list of highlights in my life : https://www.thelivingjarboe.com/about/