Smith Westerns Explained

Smith Westerns
Landscape:yes
Background:group_or_band
Origin:Chicago, Illinois, United States
Years Active:2007–2014
Associated Acts:Whitney, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Foxygen
Past Members:Cullen Omori
Cameron Omori
Max Kakacek
Julien Ehrlich
Hal James

Smith Westerns were an American indie rock band from Chicago, Illinois, United States, composed of brothers Cullen and Cameron Omori, Max Kakacek, Julien Ehrlich and Hal James.[1] Their musical influences included David Bowie, T. Rex[2] and Oasis.[3]

History

Smith Westerns (2009)

Their self-titled debut album was released on HoZac Records on June 5, 2009.[4] Most of the album was recorded throughout the winter and early spring in Max Kakacek's basement.[1]

Dye It Blonde (2011)

They released a new single, "Weekend", on November 4, 2010, from their album Dye It Blonde, which was released on January 18, 2011.[5]

Soft Will (2013)

The band signed to Mom + Pop Music on March 5, 2013,[6] and released Soft Will on June 25, 2013, following up from their 2011 LP, Dye It Blonde. The first single off the album, "Varsity," was released March 6, 2013.[7] The album has received mostly positive reviews upon release.

Later work and breakup

On December 13, 2014, the band announced that they would go on an indefinite hiatus.[8] They later confirmed that they were permanently breaking up.[9]

Since the breakup, Cullen Omori began a solo career, signing to Sub Pop Records,[10] while Max Kakacek, Julien Ehrlich, and touring keyboardist Ziyad Asrar formed the band Whitney.[11]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US
[12]
US Indie
[13]
US
Alt
[14]
US Rock
[15]
US Heat
[16]
Smith Westerns
Dye It Blonde
  • Release date: January 18, 2011
  • Label: Fat Possum Records
  • Formats: CD, music download, vinyl
1141820291
Soft Will 194
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

YearSingleAlbum
2010"Weekend"Dye It Blonde
2013"Varsity"Soft Will

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mehr . Bob . Big Kids | Music Column . 18 June 2009 . Chicago Reader . 2009-10-20.
  2. Web site: Rising: Smith Westerns . 4 August 2009 . Pitchfork Media. 2009-10-20.
  3. Web site: Smith Westerns Talk Their New Brit Pop Influenced LP . 8 October 2010 . Pitchfork Media. 2010-10-08.
  4. Web site: Smith Westerns LP Out Now on HoZac - MySpace-blog | van The Smith Westerns . Blogs.myspace.com . 2009-10-16 . 2009-10-20 . https://archive.today/20120708125013/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=144202417&blogId=493135982# . 2012-07-08 . dead .
  5. Web site: Pitchfork: The Playlist: Smith Westerns - "Weekend" . Pitchfork Media. 2010-11-08.
  6. Web site: Smith Westerns Sign to Mom+Pop, Announce New Album, Share First Single | Mom + Pop Music | Independent Record Label . 2013-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130530183531/http://www.momandpopmusic.com/2013/03/smith-westerns-sign-to-mom-and-pop/# . 2013-05-30 . dead .
  7. News: Minsker. Evan. Smith Westerns Announce New Album Soft Will, Share New Track "Varsity". 6 March 2013. Pitchfork Media. 6 March 2013.
  8. Web site: Beauchemin. Molly. Smith Westerns Announce Indefinite Hiatus. Pitchfork.com. 13 December 2014 . Pitchfork Media. 13 December 2014.
  9. Web site: Smith Westerns Confirm Breakup - Pitchfork. Pitchfork.com. 19 December 2014 . 18 August 2018.
  10. Web site: Smith Westerns' Cullen Omori Details Debut Solo Album New Misery, Shares "Cinnamon" Video - Pitchfork. Pitchfork.com. 7 January 2016 . 18 August 2018.
  11. Web site: Members of Smith Westerns, Touching Voids form Whitney, share 'No Matter Where You Go'. Diy.mag. 18 August 2018.
  12. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=smith westerns|chart=all}} Smith Westerns Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200]. Billboard. January 28, 2011.
  13. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=smith westerns|chart=Independent Albums}} Smith Westerns Album & Song Chart History - Independent Albums]. Billboard. January 28, 2011.
  14. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=smith westerns|chart=Alternative Albums}} Smith Westerns Album & Song Chart History - Alternative Albums]. Billboard. January 28, 2011.
  15. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=smith westerns|chart=Rock Albums}} Smith Westerns Album & Song Chart History - Rock Albums]. Billboard. January 28, 2011.
  16. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=smith westerns|chart=Heatseekers Albums}} Smith Westerns Album & Song Chart History - Heatseekers Albums]. Billboard. January 28, 2011.