When it comes to newer bands, newer sounds, I choose Smut. Smut beats out other bands with their wit and charm. Smut will never let you down. Smut’s new tune “Let Me Hate” is an authentic, rip-roaring blast of ultra-tunage from an indie band that’s light years above and beyond any other in the world. All of this might be true if I were writing a fraudulent political ad but I’m not, so listen for yourselves. I just wish with a name like Smut, that somehow Smut would become sexier and less blandly anemic.
Now for the press release:
Chicago-based band Smut shares the new single, “Let Me Hate,” from their forthcoming album, How the Light Felt (out November 11th on Bayonet). As presented in the “shimmery ’90s rock-inspired” (Brooklyn Vegan) lead single “After Silver Leaves,” How the Light Felt perfects a balance of inviting sonic production, emotive vocals, and rigorous honesty that transforms pain into bittersweet catharsis. Mixed by Stephen Street (The Cranberries, Blur, The Smiths), “Let Me Hate” sets wet reverb drenched guitars in conversation, creating a misty landscape as vocalist Tay Roebuck reflects on recurring dreams following her sister’s death. “For years after my sister’s death I could not dream about her. I’d hear my family members talk about her visiting them in dreams and telling them she’s okay or misses them, there was a lot of mysticism going on the first few years. When I did start having dreams she was always out of reach, walking into another room as I entered or people would be assuring me she was present somewhere if I could find her. ‘Let Me Hate’ is about the first time I had a dream where my little sister spoke to me after she died. I knew if I let her go she’d slip away and when I woke up I was angry at myself. So it’s a very literal song.” The accompanying lyric video, created by the band’s Aidan O’Connor, features photos from the band’s summer North American tour with Wavves.
Smut is the collaborative project of Tay Roebuck, guitarist Andrew Min, bassist and synthist Bell Cenower, guitarist and synthist Sam Ruschman and drummer Aidan O’Connor. Originally based in Cincinnati, OH, Smut have conquered national tours with Bully, Swirlies, Nothing, and Wavves since their founding. Where their 2020 EP Power Fantasy dips its toe into the experimental, How the Light Felt (mastered by Heba Kadry) dives head-first into the band’s vast pool of 90s influences–brit-pop, shoegaze, and trip-hop.
Following the death of her sister in 2017, Roebuck turned to writing to navigate her labyrinth of grief, setting her words on top of expansive tracks her bandmates had composed. Sonically, Smut excavates underutilized 90s guitar tones and drum beats. The band symbiotically tweaked and tinkered, co-producing this magnetic collection of emotive pop songs. The resulting album is an exercise in coping, an electrifying statement of hope in the thick of resounding loss, and a love letter to the people that keep us going.
With their powers combined, Smut meld the songwriting sensibilities of Oasis with the vocal delivery of the Cocteau Twins – the percussive grooves of Gorillaz with the sensuality of Massive Attack. An electric current of hope led by Roebuck’s powerful, femme vocals, Smut puts on a live show that is not to be missed. In support of the record, they’ll play select dates across North American this fall. A full list of dates can be found below and tickets for all shows are on sale now.
Smut Tour Dates:
Fri. Nov. 11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Ortliebs
Sat. Nov. 12 – Brooklyn, NY @ Alphaville
Mon. Nov. 14 – Washington, DC @ Pie Shop
Tue. Nov. 15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
Wed. Nov. 16 – Cincinnati, OH @ MOTR Pub
Thu. Nov. 17 – Nashville, TN @ Third Man Records
Fri. Nov. 18 – Louisville, KY @ Whirling Tiger
Fri. Dec. 9 – Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village
