LA based band All Things Blue have a new single entitled 'Chad' and it's a delicious mixture of psych rock with some catchy pop overtones. === We have a video for the acoustic version of 'Keep On Loving Me' by Deidre Thornell which sees the song in stripped back mode allowing her gorgeous vocals to really stand out. === Cuddle Magic are back just a month since we first featured them with their new single 'Working On Me' and again the chamber pop band are refined and creative. === From Aura Davis we have her first single 'Secrets' a song that is personal and based on her own life experiences, and yet both catchy and warm.
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All Things Blue - Chad.
LA-based dream-punk band All Things Blue are sharing new single “Chad”. Led by frontwoman India Coombs (or simply, Blue) and collaborator Jon Joseph, All Things Blue traverse genres and sounds; one moment flirting with abrasive garage-punk, the next – soaring psych-pop – with “Chad” sitting somewhere between the spirited psychedelia of Melody’s Echo Chamber and the exhilarating alt-pop of St Vincent.
Speaking about the track, singer India said: “See-saws are fun until you're riding an emotional see-saw; when you want someone that doesn't want you, but makes sure to keep you around. Sometimes you only realise in retrospect; that person was just a Chad. Also during the whole vocal take I was holding Jon's week old baby boy which is why I laugh at the end cause he fell asleep.”
“Chad” is lifted from All Things Blue’s forthcoming debut full length album, due for release later this year. Covering everything from pensive love songs to directly addressing social issues and political ironies; India herself compares the album to Gabriel Garcia Márquez’s ever-relevant novel Love In The Time of Cholera. Indeed, the the band's new material promises love, however ethereal it may seem, at the end of a very dark tunnel, if not somewhere along the way.
India and Jon originally met in LA at the age of 18, having both independently moved to the city; Coombs driving across the country in her broken down pickup truck from Philadelphia, and Jon hailing from further south in California. The pair wasted no time becoming friends and firing out an eclectic assortment of demos. They did so namelessly for some time, but eventually settled on "All Things Blue”.
The name itself was coined by India's late mother, who, when India was having trouble getting by in the rough and overpriced world that is Los Angeles, told her that she was just feeling blue and sometimes all things are blue for a bit but they'll get better.
In April of 2020, Deidre released her newest single “Keep On Loving Me” and on May 11th a video featuring an acoustic version of the song premiered on YouTube.
Deidre Thornell is a rising Country starlet. Her first big success came in 2013 when she was one of five finalists in the 2013 Texaco Country Showdown, leading to a performance on the stage of the infamous Ryman Auditorium, which aired on Great American Country Television.
More recently in 2018, Deidre was voted “Most Entertaining Songwriter” at Lyrics on the Lake Songwriting Fest and sold out a full band show in Dallas at The Rustic. To date, Deidre has released a full-length album 'Destination Unknown,' followed by her EP 'Dallas,' now followed by her most recent single 'Keep On Loving Me.'
Cuddle Magic—the New York / Philadelphia-based chamber-pop sextet—today shared a new single, “Working On Me,” packaged in a short EP alongside the previously released “What If I” and new track “Still In Touch.” Their upcoming full-length Bath is due July 3rd on Northern Spy Records.
“Working On Me” is a tender ode to self-improvement propelled by Kristin Slipp’s emotive vocals. Slipp, who has also been a member of Dirty Projectors since 2018, humbly requests patience from her partner in this delicate earworm. In her own words, Slipp explains the songs content:
"So much of what I've written in the past three years has referred either indirectly or, in this case, very literally, to my pursuit of self-improvement. 'Working On Me' is a tender request for patience from a partner or a friend. The spare arrangement conveys hope, which reaches a fever pitch by the final chorus when the whole band joins in.”
Aura Davis interest in music and arts started at a very young age. She wrote poems and novels already at the age of 9. Around the age of 13, she found herself in a rollercoaster of feelings, which lead her to put down arts and music. Soon finding back to it, to deal with the struggles of finding her own way at the age of 15.
Now ready to reveal her personal story through her songwriting and carefully put together melodies. Davis will take you through a journey of her own personal heartaches and struggles, while showing that nothing is too hard to overcome.
'Secrets', her very first single, is a catchy tune and not only talking about opening up about your inner fears and anxiety, but also about acceptance. Auras ability to write honest, pure and deep lyrics and combining them with catchy melodies makes her stand out.
Francine Honey has shared two versions of 'I Carry On' the second one includes Robert Gray who co-wrote the song, both are beautiful heartfelt tracks. === From Anya Hinkle we have a new video for 'Road of the Winds' which is a mixture of exquisite country and bluegrass. === Commonwealth Choir have released 'Light' accompanied by a cracking video as the band serve up some energised hook filled indie rock. === Three months after we featured 'Falling'Snake are back with 'Lost Girl' last time we described their song as "one feisty and fabulous rocker" and the new one is just as potent. === Charlotte Rose Benjamin shares 'Autopilot' along with a self made video (due to Covid lockdown) and both are captivating as she continues to gain trans-Atlantic interest.
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Francine Honey - I Carry On.
“I Carry On ” is a testament to the human spirit and its ability to overcome the challenges that life throws our way. Where does this courage come from? When the path through is unclear, there are unexpected heroes that appear with help. Whether it is a partner, a caregiver, a parent, a child, a friend, or one’s faith in something larger than life, this song expresses gratitude to those that light our world and help us through. There is nothing like seeing the light of love beaming from someone’s eyes when we need it most.
“I Carry On ” is the second single being released in anticipation of her upcoming fifth project entitled 2020 Vision; a chronicle of her life story so far in song, as a double album due out later this year. It follows the single “Red Sky ” released in Oct 2019 and a full-length Holiday album entitled Take Me To The North Pole released in December 2019.
“I Carry On” was co- written with song writing friend and neighbour, Robert Gray. Honey says “I have had my share of challenges in life struggling to make ends meet as the sole provider for my two children and somehow I always knew I’d get through them. Robert and I were outside chatting one day as neighbours do and he told me he was going through a major health challenge with cancer. We bonded over our mutual feeling about overcoming challenges with the help of a positive attitude, gratitude, love and song writing! We talked about how others have inspired us in the past. We wrote about how people are there for you when you need them and the strength that we as humans find to survive and overcome our challenges. You just do what you have to do to get through it.”
It took the duo a few months to find the time to sit down to write this song that they had talked about writing. When they did finally meet, it came together pretty quickly. In fact, Honey was headed down to Nashville to record her recently released Holiday album, Take Me To The North Pole. She loved the song so much that she asked producer Neilson Hubbard if they could record the song for release in 2020. So, Honey invited Gray to Nashville to be there if he wanted to see the song being recorded. After recording the song, Francine asked if Robert wanted to take a stab at singing the song himself in the studio. Luckily, he agreed and found his way to the vocal booth and sang the song. It became clear that a duet brings new meaning to the song. For this reason, there are two versions of “I Carry On ” being released together. The solo more country version with Honey’s vocals and a duet featuring Robert Gray which adds another dimension to the song.
Anya Hinkle has released a video for "Road Of The Winds". The song is the first single under her own name, and it captures the raw honesty of her personal songwriting.
Alternating moody verses with a singable chorus, “Road Of The Winds” expresses a longing for motion that defines both an end and a beginning for the song’s narrator.
Throughout, Hinkle’s distinctive voice is framed by a hand-picked group of musicians drawn from the rich musical community around western North Carolina: fiddler Julian Pinnelli, mandolinist Thomas Cassell (Circus No. 9), renowned resonator guitarist Billy Cardine, bass player Johnny Calamari, and harmony singer Mary Lucey. Produced by Jon Weisberger, the single is an auspicious start to the new stage of Hinkle’s career.
About Anya Hinkle - With vivid storytelling, vibrant musicianship and arresting honesty, Anya Hinkle explores the beauty of song craft through the lens of the Appalachian string band tradition. Originally from the mountains of Virginia, Anya’s music is steeped in the tones of folk and bluegrass and seasoned by travels across the world. A founding member of Asheville-based bands Dehlia Low (Rebel Records) and Tellico (Organic Records), Anya will release tracks from her first full-length album under her own name this year on Organic Records.
Philadelphia’s Commonwealth Choir is constantly searching for the space between light & dark... somewhere to crack a smile while the storm rages on.
What began as a folk rock project loosely stemming from the likes of AA Bondy & Rocky Votolato, rough iPhone demos quickly attracted a mountain of influences as the band’s lineup took shape in late 2011. Pop-punk influences like Saves The Day & Brand New collided with formative behemoths such as Elvis Costello & Tom Petty - all while holding the power of simple storytelling above all else.
After relocating from Doylestown, PA to Philadelphia in 2012, the band began connecting with musicians near & far. Attracting the attention of WXPN, the band found success with their first single “Rest” & soon found themselves collaborating with producer Dan Pawlovich (Mosey, Valencia, Illinois, Panic! At The Disco) for their subsequent releases. The following years included countless shows & collaborations (including their short-lived cassette label Philly Tapes Philly). After supporting the release of 2015’s “Palace”, the group slowed their live schedule as they began to explore what was to come next. Multiple lineup changes & countless demos later, they found themselves recording what came to be their upcoming EP No End. No End will be out June 19, 2020 via Know Hope Records.
Four years after their debut album ”Cradle of Snake” was released Snake is now back and their new single ”Lost Girl”.
Snakes music consists of brilliant and explosive indierock characterized by what happens when Tess De La Cour, Madeleine Frankie and Mia Maria Johansson play together in a room. With strong vocals, screaming guitar and and a steady beat this single is the second glimpse of on album recorded with Stefan Brändström in the Dustward Studio, which will be released in the fall of 2020.
A lot happened for Snake around their debut album - gigs all over the Sweden and in Europe, support gig to Refused and also awarded the "Rock of the Year" award at the Swedish Indie-awards: Manifestgalan. Shortly thereafter, a natural break occurred, which then became a few year break
However, The members have been constantly moving on with other interesting projects - Mia Maria Johansson has released an album with Majvor and earlier this winter a new single with her self-titled solo project, Tess De La Cour has been acclaimed internationally for her dark project Memoria and Madeleine Frankie have, In addition to playing live with Memoria, has released music including Night Terror. Both Tess and Madeleine have also participated in the prestigious Riot Grrrl Sessions.
NYC singer-songwriter Charlotte Rose Benjamin announces her new single, “Autopilot”, taken from the Neon Gold Records / Moshi Moshi released Party City EP. Stuck in isolation, along with the rest of the world, Charlotte set about making a video for “Autopilot” at home, primarily using PhotoBooth.
It’s latest cut from her sterling debut Party City EP, which has already garnered attention on both sides of the Atlantic with support from CLASH, Huw Stephens and BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Radio X, and Spotify's global New Music Friday.
Charlotte says: "I've always had a hard time controlling my emotional compass and tend to inwardly dwell. I kept having this dream, which I hear is common when living in a tiny New York City apartment, where I discover a whole new room in my home through a door in the closet or someplace unexpected and realize I have so much more space than I ever thought. When I wrote it I was sort of caught between fantasizing about being totally alone, pushing people away and then feeling super lonely and reaching out to anyone I knew who might give me attention. Someone told me to "just go on autopilot" as if there was a switch I could flip somewhere inside me that would make me function normally. I told them I wasn't f***ing flying a plane.
So, making a music video for "Autopilot" alone in a room on Photo Booth during the COVID-19 crisis kinda made sense. I think a lot of people are struggling with feeling desperately lonely right now. Little creative projects like this have been saving me from losing my mind." Charlotte, who starred in the video for Gus Dapperton’s breakout hit “I’m Just Snacking” and counts The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne as a fan, is certainly One To Watch for 2020.
Discovery Zone has just released 'Dance II' which follows on from 'Blissful Morning Dream Interpretation Melody' which we featured four weeks ago, the new track is another refined electro piece with dreamy vocals. === Jessy Yasmeen just released the beautiful song 'Dreams' where both the musical arrangement and vocals really impress. === Pete Gardiner is back with 'Pick Your Side' a song that is vocally and lyrically mesmerizing, it takes a second listen to take it all in. === We featured Ynys last July and now we have 'Aros Am Byth' as the Welsh language singer once again shares a melodic and beautiful song. === The latest Greg Klyma video for 'Coffee and Weed' was made entirely during social distancing, it's described as a country waltz, an expression that kinda say's it all. === Blake English mixes Glam rock and punk together wonderfully on his brand new 'Spiders Make Great Poets' E.P, it's energized, imaginative and addictive.
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Photo - Colette Pomerleau
Discovery Zone - Dance II.
New York born, Berlin based musician and film maker JJ Weihl is set to release her debut solo record as Discovery Zone having previously played bass and sang in acclaimed experimental pop band Fenster. Remote Control is out via cult Berlin label Mansions and Millions on June 5th. Discovery Zone announced her debut album with trippy video Blissful Morning Dream Melody which received praise from the likes of Loud & Quiet, Gorilla Vs Bear and NPR.
Now, Discovery Zone shares lead single ‘Dance II’. On the single, Weihl says “I remember finding this beat on an old Yamaha keyboard and playing the chords on the guitar in my studio. I was absolutely elated. I was dancing around the room. In the beginning stages of writing the songs that ended up on this record, I lacked a lot of confidence. I’ve been making music and touring for the past several years with my band Fenster, but this project is the first time I ever tried to write and record music on my own.”
“At a lot of moments throughout the process, I really had to trick myself to keep going, to not give up out of frustration or fear of failure. I think the lyrics of this song really capture the struggle and ongoing conversation I was having with myself at that time” she continues. “Dance II deals with inner conflict, paradoxes, and the endless digital archiving of reality. Some funny thing I’m trying to find and capture in myself and in the world and save but can’t quite. The thing I’m chasing. A feeling. A song. Myself. Whatever it is. It’s a Dance, too!”
Her album Remote Control, with its palette of chimes, chirps and shimmers, is a glowing meditation on our contradictory moment in history. In her hands, the limitations of the default setting form a territory of unbounded experimentation, from the system-notification synth funk of “Dance II” to the trance incantations of “Blissful Morning Dream Interpretation Melody.” There are bits of sound collage and a lot of operatic robot choirs woven through tight emotional electronic pop.
Meet Jessy Yasmeen, the latest addition to This Could Be Your Music Label! With both Dutch and South American roots, she brings the best of both worlds. Her dreamy indie folk is inspired by acts such as Ben Howard, Bon Iver and Matt Corby. She fits right in with current day artists like SOAK and Waxahatchee. With her songs she wants to challenge listeners to be vulnerable and help conquer personal battles like fear and desire.
Over the past three years, Jessy Yasmeen played more than 80 shows on stages in The Netherlands and Germany. Last year her debut EP saw the light of day, she won a big Dutch music award, 'Grote Prijs van Rotterdam' (category: singer-songwriter), and earned nominations for the Rotterdam Music Awards (categories: ‘the promise’ and ‘best track’).
Jessy Yasmeen has a lot of new songs and an EP ready to be released, starting with new single Dreams: "Dreams is written in third person, telling about "she", but it could be anyone. It is about someone who has a yearning desire, and from the uncertainties that it entails she dares to walk the path, but in fact all she wants is to dream.
From society, but also from your parents for example, you feel the pressure to do certain things related to which life phase you are in. Or you are in a relationship where you set yourself aside and lose yourself. But if you really listen to your heart, you may find that you are doing things that don't make you happy. Neglecting you true passion out of fear. But that is what you can overcome."
Pick Your Side is a lot like my last single “Bourbon” in that it begins with introspective observations and self-analysing lyrics before getting onto the big picture and what's really going on in the world.
The first verse was written out of frustration. I'd been living alone in a caravan for three years with no real association with a town or a community (Long story, but let’s just say I was self isolating long before it was the done thing) and I wasn't feeling inspired.
I felt like I was missing all the elements required to write a decent song. The elements that were so easy to come by in my late teens and early 20s when I was surrounded by the colourful cast of criminally insane characters I called my friends back in Northern Ireland. The melodrama and alcohol laden adventures of whom provided the perfect backdrop for any aspiring songwriter.
But somewhere along the way the realisation kicks in that although my personal life may be a little calmer than it was ten years ago, the rest of the world certainly isn't. I learn quickly that my boredom and lack of inspiration is completely unjustified and that the drama and chaos I believe to be necessary to write a song worth writing are more present than ever: I focus my frustration outward on problems like Brexit, Climate Change, Trump, and more recently Covid 19. Everyone's got to pick their side with all of these issues. But it seems no matter which side you're on “there ain't no lucky winners and there's no one keepin' score” – Pete Gardiner
‘Aros am Byth (Waiting Forever) is the new single from Ynys. Recorded at Tŷ Drwg studios in Cardiff with Ynys’s producer Frank Naughton and mixed by Iwan Morgan (Cate Le Bon, Richard James, Islet, H.Hawkline)
‘Aros am Byth’ brings together 70s Italian disco synths and 90s power pop harmonies which will be THE sound of 2021. Full of hopeful longing and possessing a magical combination of melancholy and star eyed wonder.
As Dylan Hughes (singer/songwriter) explains “the vibe I was trying to get was Jeff Lynne taking over the studio after being at a Tame Impala listening party”. Music's future, present and past all coming together in a perfectly crafted pop song.
The latest Greg Klyma video, was made entirely during social distancing.
It's a performance featuring Greg (in Boston on guitar and vocals), Melanie Brulee (in Toronto on backing vocals), Guy Forsyth (in Austin on the saw!!), and Ed Croft (on upright bass, in Buffalo, NY).
It's a country waltz called "Coffee & Weed". Greg's earned raves from Wide Open Country, American Songwriter, Boston.com, airplay on WFUV.
Most recently, he raised $565 for the Boston Music Maker COVID-19 Fund and another almost $500 for Band Together Buffalo (where he's originally from). He's been on a roll, releasing three albums last year.
Blake English was born and raised in Athens Georgia, home of many musical juggernauts such as REM and The B52’s. He has always been interested in honing his skills in all forms of performance art, using the instrument of his body to express his artistry. He has been heavily involved in the theatre and dance scene since he was a child. He has quickly gained the attention of many with his debut EP “Spiders Make Great Poets.” His unique glam-punk sound is not only retro but fresh. Every song on the EP is inspired by a real-life experience so fans can really get to know more of who he is.
His musical influences are David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson, and My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way. He is also heavily influenced by the cinematic horror universe and all of its creatures, which come across brilliantly in each of the videos he releases.
“Above all, it’s about the art of storytelling,” English says. “I want to tell a story in everything that I do whether it be from my personal experience or an observation of the world around me. I’m more of a journalist, taking in what’s going on and reporting it back to you through the lens of my own experience.”
The first single “Sad Girls Dance Party” tells a story of a boy growing up and dealing with issues of his father limiting his freedom of self-expression. With the help of his imagination and the characters he creates in his head, He is taken on a journey to meet his future self which helps him accept who he is. With the use of practical creature effects and a narrative storyline, the music video is nominated for “Best Song” in the 2020 Berlin Music Video Awards.
While Blake’s primary focus is as a musician and performance artist, he also has a passion for directing music videos for others. Not only does he write and direct his own work, but he has also directed videos for artists such as Leland and Miss Benny. Blake has headlined for Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation events, danced on The Ellen Show, performed at SXSW Music Festival, been featured on School’d (The Goldbergs ABC) and shared a stage with his life long mentor Amanda Palmer (The Dresden Dolls).
“Spiders Make Great Poets” is just the beginning of many great things to come.
Making their fourth appearance here in under a year oh!no?ok are back with another classy alt rocker entitled 'Firemouth'. === We featured Café Spice twice last year and they are back with 'She Loves And Leaves' where they shift genres towards indie pop doing so with grace and quality. === We were introduced to Jess Knights back in January and the new song 'Baby Won't You Stay' sees the artist serving up some gorgeous and timeless soul vibes. === And we have to go back a whole ten days since Rett Smith was last here, the quick follow up 'Luck Burns Deep,' is a potent stomping rocker, the video is pretty cool as well.
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oh!no?ok - Firemouth.
oh!no?ok. is comprised of high school friends Ryan Osborn, Cole Miller, Jackson Ludlow, and local guitarist Nick Storey. The band is a year old, and has been working closely with locally-renowned producer Nate Pyfer (The Moth & the Flame, Kaskade, Sego).
Lead vocalist Ryan and Nate laid the groundwork for the band’s music, though each member brings his unique flair, making the process a cohesive collaboration. They play the kind of music you’d hear blasting forth from a suburban garage in the height of the alt-rock boom of the 1990s but they update this scruffy aesthetic with sleek but-not-too-polished production and a dose of raw skate punk.
Their songs feature cleverly abstract lyrics, bold musical dynamics, experimental textures, adventurous arrangements, and sharp pop-rock hooks. This melding of tuneful and arty conjures an array of classic and current alt-rock innovators such as Weezer, Pavement, The Presidents of the United States, Butthole Surfers, and Spoon, FIDLAR, Car Seat Headrest, and PUP.
She Loves and Leaves sees Café Spice release their first track in their full “girl band” outfit, and marks a turning point in their sound. Having crafted a reputation amongst the country’s key folk tastemakers, the trio hailing from England, Scotland and Ireland now push the boat out into the mellow waters of indie-pop.
The track opens with a serene a cappella rendition of the Chorus, fast becoming a trademark of the group. Their alluring and interweaving melodies begin to colour a blank musical canvas before a delicate guitar rises from the harmonic haze. However, soon the band arrive in new sonic territory, as a series of effortless brush strokes introduce new drummer Sophie Wozencraft, elevating a beautiful acoustic with an elegant indie skip. The added percussion skims like a pebble, rippling the tranquil waters of what has gone before.
Existing fans should not be surprised by the turn, with an element of unpredictability always finding a way into Café Spice’s repertoire in one way or another. However, this particular introduction is a clear statement of intent from a band determined to turn more heads onto their well-seasoned sound.
The sonic is equalled by the trio’s reflective and contemplative lyricism. In the words of Café Spice: “How can you understand what you want when you're twenty and so ready to love the world and everyone in it, so ready to lose yourself in somebody else? If you've ever been confused about love, nestle down and plug in your headphones - this song is for you.”
She Loves And Leaves demonstratesthepotpourri of musical influences that pervade throughout the Café Spice songbook. At times they are reminiscent of The Mama’s & The Papa’s; on other occasions more attuned to indie-folk contemporaries HAIM or The Staves. Either way, She Loves And Leaves is the latest testament to the collaborative songwriting that makes the music of Café Spice so unique.
Calgary soul-roots revivalist Jess Knights returns with the simmering “Baby, Won’t You Stay,” off her upcoming debut LP, Best Kind of Light, set for release on a new postponed date of June 19.
Filtered through transcendent hip-swaying instrumentation from some of Toronto's best songsmiths and sidemen, including R. Grunwald, Dean Drouillard, Mark McIntyre and award-winning producer Joshua Van Tassel, the track is a playful plea to hang back after the sun’s come up. Brimming with soulful throwback energy and Knights’ coy vocal conviction, “Baby, Won’t You Stay” muses on love in the moment.
“This song is a nod to the music I grew up with and love the most with its Dap-Kings groove,” said Knights. “It's a happy, upbeat and soulful song that gets you moving, and I think the world could use a happy song right now. It’s a weird time to be releasing music, but my hope is that this ditty brings a little joy to you all. Brighter days are ahead and for now we've got to keep our spirits up with feel-good music.”
Best Kind of Light brings into focus the moody, dimly-lit spectrum of Knights’ classically-trained voice, which has drawn comparisons to U.K. luminaries Amy Winehouse and Eliza Doolittle. Able to traverse sultry ballads and raise-the-roof-off-the-church soul with ease, Knights is a dynamo performer that's bound to leave an impression.
Texas born singer/songwriter/guitarist Rett Smith shares the new single, “Luck Burns Deep”. The Bluesy rock and roll anthem comes from his new album Giving Up On Quitting due for release on May 22nd via Imperial/Republic. The track follows “Hardship Highways” and the debut single from the project “Better Day,” which was a featured 'Best New Music’ pick by American Songwriter.
As one of the more stripped down tracks on the album, “Luck Burns Deep” serves to showcase Smith's evolution as a songwriter, yet he still manages to work in plenty of the guitar shredding many fans know him for. Between the guitar chops and old soul lyricism, Rett Smith’s work gives the impression that he has been a musician his whole life. In fact, Smith only discovered his talent for playing music after walking away from a successful career as an internationally ranked downhill skier. Though Smith no longer competes as a professional athlete, that same intense drive and focus that allowed him to flourish as a successful athlete is what pushes him as a musician.
The previously released “Hardship Highways” is one of the best examples on the album of Smith turning the bumpy road of life into a sonically rich song. The track is a tale of a life lived on the edge as Smith recounts bad choices and mistakes fueled by drugs and alcohol. He isn’t looking for redemption or pity; he is simply sharing his life knowing some listeners might relate to the journey. Even with the undeniably morose tone of his songs, Smith insists that making music is something that fills him with gratitude and joy. He says, “I feel an undying need to create, to translate my most extreme feelings and emotions through song...” Smith’s love for writing songs while also using it as a therapeutic outlet is what keeps pushing him forward. “I want things to get better and I don't want to live in this space of just being miserable.” Dealing with these issues and fighting to get better is a recurring theme across the songs on Giving Up On Quitting.
Compared to previous albums like his 2015 debut Tularosa, 2016’s Oscuro and his heavier 2017 side project SAENTS, with the self-produced Giving Up On Quitting Smith is carefully layering instrumentation to create his own distinctly Western sound inspired by his roots in Texas and New Mexico. Smith says these songs, “are about being on the road and escapism. The realization that you’re still there, no matter how far you run.”
