"Swing Set" reigned as the Twin Cities' finest exponents of hook laden guitar driven pure pop

For ten strong years, from 1983 to 1993, Swing Set reigned as the Twin Cities’ finest exponents of hook laden, guitar driven pure pop. Their cool-edged, rock/pop sound sent the group’s first album Life Speeds Up quickly into the top 50 of the U.S./Boston Rocks college charts, and the group received commercial airplay in major markets from each of their next releases with the songs “Don’t look Now” and Casting My Lines” from the CD The Soul Remains; and “The Hero” from their DIG release.

Mike Nilles … Lead/background vocals, lead/rythm guitars, songwriter, founder of the group … plays guitar with taste and feeling … writes and enjoys music with seductive melodies and thoughtful lyrics … plays many instruments … also works a recording engineer … musical faves: Beatles, Byrds, The Church.

Dan Prozinski … Lead/background vocals, lead/rythm guitars, songwriter … his inventive, ethereal guitar style is a result of Dan’s love of the instrument and his never ending quest for a new “sound” … as a designer he helps create a stylish, modern visual look for the group … musical faves: Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler.

Ric Studer … Lead/background vocals, bass guitar … always positive, always upbeat, an effervescent prankster loved by all … and like his buoyant bass grooves Ric holds the band together … musical faves: Replacements, Bash and Pop, NRBQ.

Dave Nussbaum … Piano, synthesizer, songwriter, years of classical and pop training … an intuitive sense of melody and harmony … studious and inquisitive … just now coming into his own as a composer … provides the lush textures the band is known for … musical faves: you name it.

Mick Wirtz … Drums/percussion, background vocals, most musically trained and active of the five … is involved in jazz, big band, folk and computer drum programming … his style is fiery and imaginative … his upbeat, crazy yet steady good nature helps keep it all moving in time … musical faves: The Police, Weather Report, Box-Car Willie.

For ten strong years, from 1983 to 1993, Swing Set reigned as the Twin Cities’ finest exponents of hook laden, guitar driven pure pop. Their cool-edged, rock/pop sound sent the group’s first album “Life Speeds Up” quickly into the top 50 of the U.S./Boston Rocks college charts and received commercial airplay and rave reviews in major international markets.

Remixed by Michael Owens in 2024 @ Blackberry Way & Mastered by Andy Walter @ Abbey Road, Swing Sets debut album “Life Speeds Up” roars back to life in stunning fashion. Several tracks from “Life Speeds Up” find themselves in hit TV shows including Stranger Things & The OA on Netflix, Red Oaks on Amazon and Young Sheldon on CBS. First released on vinyl in 1986, the remixed version is now available for purchase on CD’s & Downloads for the first time.

The opening track Blackout first released digitally on “Mini Hits of Minneapolis Vol 2” (The Best of Blackberry Way) has generated over 166,000 All-Time streams on Spotify.

“Elegantly simplistic, reminiscent of REM and The Pretenders.” -ALBUM NETWORK- “They’ve got the chops and the sense of style that show cool confidence…what a nice record.” – ROCKPOOL MAGAZINE- “The Soul Remains” the bands second release was named “Best Local Pop Record” by MPLS ST PAUL MAGAZINE Feb 1991.

The band found a significant following in Europe. Popular YouTube station 80zforever called Life Speeds Up “a brilliant alternative/Indie album, with no fillers. It’s a strong record from the beginning to the end.”

The Hero”, from their third album “Dig”, played in regular rotation on Cities 97 & “Don’t Look Now” from the Soul Remains played in regular rotation on REV105 in Minneapolis.

Airplay around the world has included Valley FM 89.5 Canberra Australia as well as Ardenn’ Café Radio Charleville Mezieres, France. Swing Set was featured on THE NEW MUSIC RADIO SHOW presented by Andrew John on RADIO SEAGULL Bridgend South Wales in the UK.

The Indie Cast Network Indiana, Spiders Dirty Rotten Weekend Canton Ohio, SDC Star Radio Denningan California, WKKC Pirate Radio St Lucie Florida, KDTN Radio One California, Bear Radio Buffalo NY, Radionomy Much More Music Radio Liverpool UK, Indie 104 iRadio Los Angeles CA and Sound Machine Radio Moyock NC. Sound Machine Radio is broadcast in over 100 countries. They are part of the Sony PSP/PS3 & Nintendo Wii system and they transmit worldwide thru this network. Swing Set was featured on The Artist First Radio Network world wide broadcast on 6/15/17. The average listening audience for this show is 98,000 listeners.

Mike Nilles: Guitars, lead and backing vocals

Dan Prozinski: Guitars, lead vocals

Dave Nussbaum: Keyboards

Mick Wirtz: Drums, percussion and backing vocals

Ric Studer: Bass guitar, lead and backing vocals

Produced by: Michael Owens and Swing Set

Engineered by: Michael Owens and Kevin Glynn at Blackberry Way Recording Studios 1985