Gravel-voiced Australian meets Scottish songbird. Folk traditions meet country blues and something special happens.

“Bill and Claire, two of the nicest people you’d want to meet, are Sea Swallow: one of the finest sounds you’d want to hear. Booked as a possible counterpoint to the more raucous acts in the Oban International Shanty Festival 2026, their mellow melodies, clear harmonies, and intricate guitar accompaniment proved a hit with all their audiences.” : Oban International Shanty Festival

“Brilliant story songs with universal themes..” : Aldora Britain Records

“Sea Swallow blend pre-war blues, early jazz and original material with effortless charm”: Southerly Magazine, Western Australia

Sea Swallow (Bill Lawrie & Claire Moodie) are a song-writing duo. Their story-telling music and unique vocal blend opens a door and beckons you in, takes you across the ocean and back. Journeys, deserts, rainy dawns and borrowed rooms. Fiery highs and mellow lows. The focus is on well crafted songs and the interplay of two very different voices, backed by solid musicianship - acoustic and electric guitars, snare drum and harmonica. 

Lawrie and Moodie have been writing songs and playing together since crossing paths at a music festival in their home state of Western Australia.

Since 2019, they’ve played at venues and festivals across the state and Claire’s birth country of Scotland. Many of their songs have been short-listed for awards and in 2023, they won best country song at the West Australian song of the year awards for the evocative “Down To the Wild Stuff Now”.

They are named after the migratory bird that flies between the northern and southern hemispheres, much as they have been doing for the last decade, playing gigs and visiting Claire’s family in Scotland.

In 2024, they released their second album, “Creature of the Heart”, described by Aldora Britain Records as a “venture into the realms of indie folk, alternative country and the blues, creating a timeless roots cocktail.”

Sea Swallow are a versatile working act - at home on a concert stage, in a lively pub or putting the vibe into a corporate event.

“Sea Swallow’s presence at our event set the scene for a magical night”: Third Story