Richard Swift is a bittersweet troubadour who makes new music for older souls, similar to M. Ward and Stephen Merritt. Extremely prolific (not only does he have a slew of solo albums, but he also finds time to play keyboards for Starflyer 59), Swift creates captivating jazzy-folk-pop that sounds like it came straight from a vaudeville house in 1933.

Swift has been compared to past pioneers like Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and, of course, Brian Wilson. But unlike many folksters, Swift doesn't rely solely on acoustic guitars alone. He deftly incorporates his inspired Starflyer electronics to give these nostalgic songs an interesting futuristic kick. Swift is a masterful, deliberate artist making sounds distinctly his own.

Richard Swift and Sons of National Freedom play Schubas, on Wednesday, July 5th.