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Oakland singer-songwriter and visual artist Stephen Steinbrink has shared “I’m A Swimming Pool,” a new single ahead of his album In A Split Mirror. The song’s animated video was made by Steinbrink using photographs and other images, which he repeatedly redrew and animated. The album is scheduled for release October 30 through Sedimentary Archive and Mansions and Millions.
Stephen Steinbrink has shared “I’m A Swimming Pool,” the final single before the release of his album In A Split Mirror, which is scheduled for October 30 through Sedimentary Archive and Mansions and Millions. The Oakland singer-songwriter and visual artist also made a colorful animated video for the track, using photographs and other images that he collaged, redrew and animated over several months.
The new song follows “Magic Mirror,” previously released as the album’s lead single. Stereogum described “I’m A Swimming Pool” as gently rippling; Steinbrink’s account connects the track to childhood summers swimming in a friend’s pool in Arizona. He recalled holding his breath and floating face down, trying to make as few ripples as possible.
Steinbrink said that the pool water in Phoenix’s summer heat could feel close to his internal temperature. In that setting, he experienced a sense of weightlessness and disconnection from his body, and felt as if he were part of the water. He described the song’s subject plainly: “It’s about being in the pool.”
The accompanying video draws on photographs Steinbrink took over the years, combined with images from other sources. He said he made the animation by drawing the same image repeatedly over several months, then animating those versions together to create movement in the colors and textures. The album is listed for release on October 30; the source report does not give a year.
A Song Paired With Artist-Made Animation
The release gives listeners another preview of In A Split Mirror while showing how Steinbrink’s visual-art practice accompanies his music. For this single, the video is not described as a separate commissioned production: Steinbrink says he made it himself, shaping photographs and other images into animated scenes.
His description also offers a direct account of the song’s inspiration without requiring a broader interpretation. The pool memory centers on stillness, warmth and bodily sensation; Steinbrink links the experience to feeling weightless and temporarily disconnected from his body. That personal explanation gives the track a specific point of origin ahead of the album’s release.
For listeners following the album rollout, “I’m A Swimming Pool” is the last single announced before the full record, following “Magic Mirror.” The report does not say whether additional songs or videos will be released before October 30.
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The Final Preview Before October 30
In A Split Mirror is the album at the center of this release. Stereogum reported that it was due at the end of that week and identified October 30 as its release date, with Sedimentary Archive and Mansions and Millions listed as the labels. The supplied source does not specify the calendar year, so the date is reported as stated rather than tied to a year.
Before “I’m A Swimming Pool,” Steinbrink had shared “Magic Mirror” as the album’s lead single. The new track was presented as one last advance release ahead of the album. Steinbrink is identified in the report as an Oakland-based singer-songwriter and visual artist, and he is credited with creating the new single’s animated video.
The source material provides Steinbrink’s explanation of the pool memory and his animation process, but no track list, album-length details, additional collaborators or broader statements about the record’s themes. Those details are not established by this single announcement.
““My favorite move was to hold my breath, float face down and try to create as little rippling in the water as possible to achieve this feeling of total weightlessness.””
— Stephen Steinbrink
Release Details Still Unspecified
The report gives October 30 as the album’s release date but does not state the year. It also does not provide a release time, distribution details or a complete track list. The supplied material identifies “I’m A Swimming Pool” as the last single before the album, but does not confirm whether more promotional material will follow.
Beyond the account of this song’s inspiration, Steinbrink has not been quoted here describing the album’s overall subject matter or how the track fits into its sequence. No further information is given about the video’s external images, and the source does not name other contributors to the song or album.
Album Release Set for October 30
The next scheduled milestone is the release of In A Split Mirror on October 30, credited to Sedimentary Archive and Mansions and Millions. The source report says the album is available for preorder but does not provide a link or confirm any additional release events.
Until the album is out, the confirmed preview consists of “Magic Mirror” and “I’m A Swimming Pool.” Further information about the record, including its complete track list and any other accompanying visuals, remains to be announced in the material provided.
Key Questions
What is Stephen Steinbrink’s new single?
“I’m A Swimming Pool” is the final advance single reported ahead of his album In A Split Mirror.
When is In A Split Mirror due out?
The source lists October 30 as the release date and names Sedimentary Archive and Mansions and Millions as the labels. It does not specify a year.
What inspired “I’m A Swimming Pool”?
Steinbrink connected the song to swimming in a friend’s pool as a child in Arizona. He recalled floating face down and trying to remain still, an experience he associated with weightlessness and feeling part of the water.
Who made the animated video?
Steinbrink made the video himself. He said it combines photographs he took over the years with other images, using repeated drawings animated together to create movement in the colors and textures.
Source: stereogum.com
