Swaney’s name is synonymous with Club Clearview, the legendary nightlife hotspot that became the heartbeat of Deep Ellum’s cultural metamorphosis in the late '80s and '90s. His book isn’t just about his life as an entrepreneur; it’s a gritty, poetic and, at times, laugh-out-loud exploration of what it means to chase passion headfirst into uncertainty.
“If you know Dallas, you know Deep Ellum,” Mark Cuban writes in endorsement of the book. “But what you don’t know are the stories of how it became a Dallas destination and how Jeff Swaney grew into the person who made it happen.”
Deep Ellum’s Golden Era, Rendered in "Gonzo"
The pages of None of the Answers are a neon-soaked time machine back to Deep Ellum’s golden years. Long before the glassy high-rises and craft cocktail bars moved in, it was an untamed haven of artistry, rebellion and community. Swaney’s style, described aptly as “gonzo journalism,” captures the chaos. “I never learned to write or read the ‘right way,’” Swaney said in a recent interview, drawing comparisons to Kerouac, Bukowski, and Salinger. His words tumble together in a whirlwind of raw honesty, humor, and defiance of convention.That whirlwind matches the spirit of the neighborhood he helped build. Deep Ellum wasn’t a place where things were polished or perfect. It was anarchic, exhilarating, and sometimes downright dangerous. Swaney fondly recalls hosting the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Club Clearview before they were selling out arenas. “It was so intense. It’s hard to describe that kind of energy,” he says now as if trying to bottle electricity with words.
There’s a sense of nostalgia in None of the Answers, but it’s not merely sentimental. It urges you to look closer at what makes something special. “It was a magical time,” Swaney said. “We had hippies and yippies and punks and yuppies all on the street. And everybody was cool with each other. Everybody was digging the scene, taking it in.”
The Man Behind the Madness
Born in Detroit in 1958, Swaney came of age as Motown hummed on car radios and the counterculture took hold in Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco. “I missed the '60s by a hair,” he said regretfully. But that spirit infused everything he touched decades later in Dallas. From the blacklight rooms at Club Clearview to psychedelic murals splashed across factory walls, his work carried echoes of the '60s rebellion with a Texas flair. Swaney doesn’t just have a soft spot for the audacious; he lives it.A Michigan State engineering grad turned backpacking vagabond, his life reads like a novel that refuses to settle on one genre. Right out of college, he spent 14 months trekking around the world, penniless but inspired. There, he saw “cool underground clubs” that would eventually influence his vision for Deep Ellum. When he landed in Dallas, he found his muse in those cracked brick streets.
“The writing style came from my ADHD,” he said, joking, though there’s truth in it. “I cobbled it together, raw, cryptic, not exact prose.” That unfiltered approach mirrors his on-the-fly creativity when building businesses like Club Clearview and later spearheading revitalization efforts along Commerce Street.
Defying the Norms, One Mural at a Time
One of the grander anecdotes from Swaney’s book involves a mural contest he organized at Club Clearview. He handed 15 to 20 artists gigantic 14-by-14-foot blank panels and told them to go wild. For three weeks, the walls evolved into vibrant, collaborative masterpieces.“I think creating that mural and getting all those guys to come out and put their blood, sweat and tears into it was super cool,” Swaney recalled. The project captured the “rawness” of the time and heralded the start of a more organized art movement in the area. “It defied sensibility, and the city just scratched their heads, unable to figure out how to fine me.”
When asked about other artists who inspired him, Swaney said he genuinely admires Clay Austin, Bill Haveron and Greg Contestable. Austin’s talent for creating immersive spaces helped Clearview thrive, while Haveron’s off-the-wall brilliance left a lasting impression. These creative collaborations blurred the line between entrepreneur and artist, a balance Swaney continues to champion.
Club Clearview and the Birth of Community
The story of Deep Ellum isn’t just one of art and music; it’s a story of people. At Club Clearview, the people made the place. Swaney fondly recalls the loyalty and sharp sense of humor that defined the staff, entertainers, and patrons. It became a chosen family for many, where philosophies about living fully and authentically were tested and shared.While talking to Swaney, it’s clear he values community over dollars. Even during Deep Ellum’s “rough patches,” his efforts were about fostering connection. Whether it was the lovingly curated legacy of local restaurants like Baker’s Ribs and Crescent City Cafe or impromptu parties that blurred the line between stage and street, the focus was always on people.
Swaney sums up his philosophy with four cornerstones, something he calls “the four Ps” — patience, perseverance, persistence and purpose. “That’s what made this whole thing happen. It wasn’t just me; it was everyone who believed in the potential of Deep Ellum, who dared to step outside what was safe or easy.”
He also doesn’t shy away from discussing the challenges. From dodging police raids to narrowly averting a near-electrocution fiasco that could have fried the entire club (and a four-block radius), the book dives headfirst into the chaos of trusting your gut.
“Trust your gut and follow your heart, and you’ll have no regrets,” Swaney writes. It’s a mantra he’s lived by, and one he hopes resonates with readers, especially those reminiscing about their own Deep Ellum escapades.
A "Live" Memoir
For those curious to meet Jeff Swaney in person, his Dallas book tour has some interactive twists. Known for his humor and knack for bringing people together, Swaney promises his readings are more than a guy at a podium. “It turns into audience participation,” he said with pride. People start sharing their own memories, their mantras, their stories. It really becomes this magical gathering.”He'll make stops at iconic Dallas venues like Lee Harvey’s and Keller’s Hamburgers Drive-In, so expect a blend of nostalgia and reflection. The events are as much about the Deep Ellum community as they are about Swaney’s memoir.
Dallas Obsessions, Deep Ellum Forever
Dallas constantly remakes itself, and None of the Answers reminds the reader of what makes the city tick. Beyond the skyscrapers and sprawling suburbs, neighborhoods like Deep Ellum ground the city in its authentic, scrappy soul. Swaney’s work wasn’t about gentrifying the past but amplifying its raw, rebel yell energy into something the world couldn’t ignore.His story is a call to remember and find places where art is born and community thrives. As Swaney said, “Find your place in it. And if you weren’t there, take the ride and read about a neighborhood that’s really special and unique.”
Whether through his words or his unshakable impact on Dallas culture, Swaney ensures Deep Ellum’s legacy isn’t just history. It’s alive, pulsing with the same energy that drew vagabond creatives and adventurous spirits to its streets decades ago.
If you’ve ever walked down Elm or Commerce, feeling a spark you couldn’t quite explain, welcome back. Swaney saved a seat for you.
Catch Jeff Swaney in Dallas
While None of the Answers offers a vivid look back, Swaney will be here in Dallas to share it all in person. Here’s where you can find him during his book tour:- April 5 - Buy, Meet, Greet, and Sign at Interabang Books, Dallas, 2-4 p.m.
- April 5 - Dallas Launch Party at Lee Harvey’s, Dallas, 6-9 p.m.
- April 6 - Buy, Read, & Sign at Deep Vellum Books, Deep Ellum, Dallas, 1-3 p.m.
- April 6 - Dallas Wrap Party at Keller’s Hamburgers Drive-In on Northwest Highway, 5-8 p.m.
