Packing fun vibes together with a wistful ’80s sound, Mint Dolphin is a fresh entry to the Santa Barbara music scene, having just started in 2020. The one-man band of Eric Swank, Mint Dolphin pays tribute to the great names of that decade, boasting two original releases on the major streaming platforms with occasional airplay on KJEE 92.9 FM.
Swank moved to town from his former home in Del Mar to help his boss open a now-closed clothing boutique in Montecito’s Upper Village. “I was in a band based out of L.A. called Echo Park Social Club,” said Swank. “We broke up, as bands tend to do.” He decided to claim Santa Barbara as his new home and dove back into music-making.
Mint Dolphin’s two singles thus far are “High Tide,” which has aired on KJEE, and “Social Distance Dance.” Of the latter, a pandemic-themed song, Swank was inspired by the hit “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats. “I like to take it back to a time period when things were new and exciting, and to share the vibe of those times with people now,” explained Swank, who enjoys metamorphosing ’80s music and performing for young adults who may not be familiar with the era’s hits.
