One of St. Louis band Foxing’s often repeated Mantras is “we’re a band, and someday we won’t be a band.”. Well they are still and band but moving from the darker, emo side of music frontman Conor Murphy went sunny and pop on his first album as Smidley.
The band is on tour with Tigers Jaw and will be at the Cabooze on 6/16. Tickets are still available HERE
Smidley was produced by Hop Along’s Joe Reinhart and recorded in Philadelphia at Headroom studios earlier this year, an experience Murphy describes as carefree, and a solid reminder of why he’s dedicated his life to the artform. “It was the greatest time I’ve ever had making, recording or playing music in my life,” says Murphy. “I tried to eliminate any expectations for this record and focused entirely on having a good time with it.” It was a needed break from the more serious and deliberate songwriting of Foxing, and a particularly grueling tour that left Murphy desiring a reprieve from more lofty endeavors.
The new project finds strength in the playful and unguarded approach Murphy took in both writing and recording as a result. “My favorite song is ‘No One Likes You’” he relates. “It’s a joke but one of the more honest songs to me. I talk to myself in the car all the time and feel like a lunatic. The thing I loved about it was that it made me laugh off my insecurities in the moment.” Any hesitation cast aside, Smidley is free to run wild with its delightfully warped hooks and alternately delayed and crunchy guitars laid bare.
Tour Dates:
Jun 09 Hawthorne Theatre Portland, OR
Jun 10 El Corazon Seattle, WA
Jun 12 The Complex Salt Lake City, UT
Jun 13 Marquis Theatre Denver, CO
Jun 15 Metro Chicago, IL
Jun 16 Cabooze Minneapolis, MN
Jun 17 El Club Detroit, MI
Jun 18 Velvet Underground Toronto, Canada
Jun 20 Grog Shop Cleveland, OH
Jun 21 Rex theater Pittsburgh, PA
Jun 22 Webster Hall New York, NY
Jun 23 Union Transfer Philadelphia, PA
Jun 24 Royale Boston, MA
