Mississippi-born, Nashville-bred Cary Ann Hearst and Texas-born, Colorado-raised Michael Trent forged singular paths as solo artists before connecting – both musically and personally – in Charleston, South Carolina and forming Shovels & Rope. Shovels & Rope’s 2012 breakthrough debut, O’ Be Joyful, received fantastic support in the press, from great reviews to major features to TV appearances to year-end lists. Their live shows also played a huge part in building Shovels & Rope’s reputation among audiences and peers – the latter of whom voted the duo in for the 2013 Americana Music Awards, of which they won Emerging Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Birmingham”. Swimmin’ Time is the follow up to O’ Be Joyful and features 13 new songs that maintain a subtle aquatic theme throughout.