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
Singles
Notes and References
- Web site: Mehr . Bob . Big Kids | Music Column . 18 June 2009 . Chicago Reader . 2009-10-20.
- Web site: Rising: Smith Westerns . 4 August 2009 . Pitchfork Media. 2009-10-20.
- Web site: Smith Westerns Talk Their New Brit Pop Influenced LP . 8 October 2010 . Pitchfork Media. 2010-10-08.
- 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 .
- Web site: Pitchfork: The Playlist: Smith Westerns - "Weekend" . Pitchfork Media. 2010-11-08.
- 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 .
- News: Minsker. Evan. Smith Westerns Announce New Album Soft Will, Share New Track "Varsity". 6 March 2013. Pitchfork Media. 6 March 2013.
- Web site: Beauchemin. Molly. Smith Westerns Announce Indefinite Hiatus. Pitchfork.com. 13 December 2014 . Pitchfork Media. 13 December 2014.
- Web site: Smith Westerns Confirm Breakup - Pitchfork. Pitchfork.com. 19 December 2014 . 18 August 2018.
- Web site: Smith Westerns' Cullen Omori Details Debut Solo Album New Misery, Shares "Cinnamon" Video - Pitchfork. Pitchfork.com. 7 January 2016 . 18 August 2018.
- Web site: Members of Smith Westerns, Touching Voids form Whitney, share 'No Matter Where You Go'. Diy.mag. 18 August 2018.
- [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=smith westerns|chart=all}} Smith Westerns Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200]. Billboard. January 28, 2011.
- [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=smith westerns|chart=Independent Albums}} Smith Westerns Album & Song Chart History - Independent Albums]. Billboard. January 28, 2011.
- [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=smith westerns|chart=Alternative Albums}} Smith Westerns Album & Song Chart History - Alternative Albums]. Billboard. January 28, 2011.
- [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=smith westerns|chart=Rock Albums}} Smith Westerns Album & Song Chart History - Rock Albums]. Billboard. January 28, 2011.
- [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=smith westerns|chart=Heatseekers Albums}} Smith Westerns Album & Song Chart History - Heatseekers Albums]. Billboard. January 28, 2011.
