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Swedish Knightingales
The Swedish Knightingales is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, CA in 2021 by Robert Joseph Witewolf Garafolo (co-founder, Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Producer) who performs under his second middle name, Witewolf, and Sean 'Yard Dog' Smith (co-founder, guitar, background vocals) as well as Kenny Lockwood (bass), Felipe Restrepo (Drums), and Gannon Wise (Keyboard). They incorporated elements of 70s rock, outlaw country, bluegrass, country and 90s rock. Their live shows feature jam band improvisation and guest appearances.

They released their first single, You Belong With Me, on July 4th, 2021, the reason being that both Witewolf and Yard Dog share that same day as their birthday. This single featured Luke Halpin on Violin, Sofia Martin and Kate 'Feathers' Harmon on background vocals. The single was released independently without much fanfare.

The Swedish Knightingales have scheduled the release 3 singles on March 17th, 2023, on St. Patrick's Day to all streaming platforms.

Roots and Formation (2019-2021)
Witewolf grew up in Atwater Village, CA while Yard Dog hailed from San Dimas, CA. They met in when Witewolf was in junior college playing football at Mt. SAC in Walnut, CA. A mutual friend introduced them. They loved to jam but where stylistically different players. Over the years both played in many different projects. Witewolf toured with Eddie Money and Engelbert Humperdinck as well as doing session work for many artists spanning all styles of music. Yard Dog played in multiple bands featuring covers as well as originals. There was one point in time where Yard Dog sent a song idea to Witewolf in the form of an iPhone Voice Note which was sent through iMessage. In the note was a long acoustic intro and some lyrics. Yard Dog wanted to come record at Witewolf's studio and that session was the birth of Cold Blooded Killer, a song about a serial killer who escapes from prison and tries to convince a woman to let him in to her home to protect her. This song became the opening song of their live shows as well as the intro track to the 3 single release aptly named, "Swedish Knightingales - Small Batch Artisan Handcrafted." This mini release was given a cheeky name poking fun at artisanal marketing. Yard Dog would send the ideas to Witewolf and then they would create the demos.

The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic shut down the live entertainment scene in many ways. For small artists the bars, restaurants, small venues were non-existent. But this dark time created a renaissance of art. The first rehearsals of original music were practiced in Huntington Beach with Kenny Lockwood and Jeff Bacurin (drums). Kenny and Jeff played with Yard Dog in multiple cover bands. Jeff Bacurin was the original drummer of Swedish Knightingales but moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2020 leaving the band without a drummer. Witewolf and Yard Dog decided that when the pandemic was over they would test their music out on any audience they could. March 2021 was the first show but the Swedish Knightingales did not officially have a name. Yard Dog was pushing for Swedish Knightingales while Witewolf pushed back. The problem was the show was approaching and a flyer needed to be made. Witewolf said, "We'll be the Swedish Knightingales for this show and if it sucks we're changing the name." The show was held at the Old Towne Pub in Pasadena, CA as a speakeasy style event. Bars were not allowed to have live entertainment. The show was performed on the outdoor patio with no microphones or amps to lower the risk of being shut down. The whole setlist was performed with acoustic guitars and Gannon Wise filled in on a djembe for percussion. The audience was extremely receptive and Witewolf said to Yard Dog, "Well, you know for some reason that name is growing on me."

This first show made them hungry for more so they booked another show at the Old Towne Pub for June but they needed a drummer. Witewolf was working in the film industry and had met Felipe Restrepo on a job. They both talked about music and that they were players but they were both skeptical of each others abilities. An impromptu jam on Lacy St. by the dog pound showed Witewolf that Felipe was the man for the job. There was time for 1 rehearsal before the first show and this was where the chemistry revealed itself. Kenny and Felipe worked out rhythm parts while Yard Dog and Witewolf complemented each other on guitar. The Old Towne Pub became the bands official testing ground for new song ideas.

Music Style and Influences
The band can be described as an Americana Rock band with a little Bluegrass, Jam Band, and 90s sprinkled into it. Not wanting to pigeonhole themselves too much into one style they write songs in all genres always keeping the rock vibe. Many of their songs revolve around story telling because Witewolf played many solo acoustic St. Patricks day gigs and fell in love with Irish traditional music. Witewolf feels that the greatest way to keep a story alive is through song.

Yard Dog's influences started with Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mark Knopfler, and Jimi Hendrix. He always was particular to Fender guitars and amps while never being a gear head he just loves to play and keep it simple when it comes to effects but he tries to be extremely thoughtful with chord choices and changing up patterns in verses and choruses to avoid feeling repetitive and formulaic.

Witewolf began playing guitar when Kurt Cobain passed away in the 90s and a friend brought a guitar to school. At age 11 he got his first acoustic guitar and began taking lessons at George's Music in Glendale, CA from a guitar teacher named Tom Saracinno (Killer Riff). Witewolf started with Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, Jimi Hendrix. He leaned heavily into the blues until Tom introduced Witewolf to the guitar stylings of Randy Rhoads, which then sent him down a Neo Classical rabbit hole of guitar players like Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth, Michael Romeo, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman; then Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson G3 album; then Dream Theater led him to progressive. After lessons with Tom Witewolf began receiving sheet music from Tim Kobza, a USC music professor in Jazz/Music Production. There he started building his jazz chops and music theory. While playing football in college at The University of Memphis he played gigs at various venues sitting in with different bands and playing solo acoustic shows.

Kenny Lockwood is currently in the bands Trendkill Revolution (Pantera Tribute Band), Edge of Paradise, as well as many different cover bands that play all over Southern California. He is well versed in all styles of music. He also plays drums.

Felipe Restrepo, originally from Colombia, is an accomplished drummer having toured the world with various bands. Studying drums at MI in Hollywood, CA he is also a chameleon who can play any style.