Selwyn Birchwood
High-octane swamp funk and gritty storytelling. Modern blues that pairs searing lap steel with a revival preacher's intensity for late nights and long drives.
High-octane swamp funk and gritty storytelling. Modern blues that pairs searing lap steel with a revival preacher's intensity for late nights and long drives.
Selwyn Birchwood sounds like the humidity of a Florida night distilled into a Fender Stratocaster. His music is a high-voltage jolt to the traditional blues framework, characterized by a thick, 'swamp funk' bottom end and a vocal delivery that borders on the evangelical. It is music that feels physically large, driven by a rhythm section that swings with a heavy, purposeful grease while Birchwood’s guitar work cuts through the air like a lightning strike.
What truly sets him apart is his mastery of the electric lap steel guitar, an instrument often relegated to country or Hawaiian music, which he weaponizes for psychedelic, soaring blues solos. His lyrics avoid the tired clichés of the genre, opting instead for sharp-witted storytelling and contemporary social observations that feel relevant to the modern world. There is a sense of uninhibited joy and 'barefoot' freedom in his recordings that mimics the sweat-soaked energy of his legendary live performances.
Start with 'Don't Call No Ambulance' to hear the definitive arrival of a modern master. It captures the perfect balance of his gritty, unvarnished vocals and his technical precision. From there, move to 'Florida Man' for a deeper dive into his unique brand of regional storytelling and even tighter, funkier arrangements.
Selwyn Birchwood (born March 9, 1985) is an American blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter from Tampa, Florida. He was the winner of the Blues Foundation’s 2013 International Blues Challenge (band category), as well the winner of the Albert King Guitarist of the Year award, presented at the same event. To win, he bested 125 other bands from around the world. Birchwood plays electric guitar and electric lap steel guitar. His live performances feature his original songs. Living Blues magazine said, "Selwyn Birchwood is making waves, surprising people and defying expectations. Be on the lookout. He revels in the unexpected." The Tampa Tribune said Birchwood plays with "power and precision reminiscent of blues guitar hero Buddy Guy. He is a gritty vocalist [who is] commanding with his axe." Rolling Stone said "Birchwood is a young, powerhouse guitarist and soulful vocalist. Don't Call No Ambulance is a remarkable debut by a major player." The Washington Post said, "Selwyn Birchwood is an indelibly modern and original next-generation bluesman; his tough vocals, guitar and lap steel touch on classic Chicago blues, Southern soul and boogie."
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