Stephen Holliger’s Chicago-based Swim Ignorant Fire is a one man arsenal of pathos, artistry and vision. With roots in metal and a deep interest in foley and sound design, the music approaches a wonderful hybrid of tasteful dissonance and measured restraint. Watching him prepare for a performance, you know something different is going on. Maybe it’s the kitchy aura of the electric candles around his pedals. Maybe it’s the oblique wallpaper from a stolen view of his laptop. Or maybe it’s the final swig of whiskey before he hoists his axe and dives into creating the first loop. Whatever. Suddenly the ostinati motifs and guitar drones are about to overload the sound system. Thirty minutes of your life have just passed in a blissful haze. His hands are a blur accross the equipment and then crecendo peaks and the lights go dim. It’s over. And you want more.