Kirk Smith
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Kirk Smith

| INDIE

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Band Alternative Acoustic

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Tear Sheet"

"Smith is in fine form, belting out and whispering songs on a series of vintage microphones and wielding a variety of instruments. Smith is singing about divinity, it often seems, or at least the divinity of human love. And his voice can rip its way right into your heart." The Austin Chronicle

"SUDDENLY BRIGHT OUT" is the record I've been waiting all year to hear -- subtle melodies, penetrating lyrics, unique arrangements. This is a darn fine offering from one to watch." The Static Paper

"Singular poetry, songwriting, and singing." The Austin American-Statesman

"Kirk Smith's agressively articulate debut CD reveals that he's not merely another emerging artist from Austin. He effortlessly accomplishes unfailing vocal clarity over a wide range and [his] dramatic lyrical style is consistently compelling." Sellout Magazine

"Smith skates the lines of mythology that only Elvis and Jeff Buckley occupy -- his voice is clear, ruffled, and radiant simultaneously." Citysearch

"Dubbed mid-fi, it's odd and imaginative. The atmospheric indie rock-ness of "All Our Own Way" beckons you to take a real close look. But don't be scared, the inside guts are quite beautiful indeed." Editor's Pick. Smother

"The music [is] fascinating and complex, and I know I didn't catch all the subtleties and nuances on the first listen. What I'm certain of is how affecting it is, providing an honest sense of catharsis that we don't often get." NYTheatre

"Thirty-five minutes of great new music. SUDDENLY BRIGHT OUT is an impressive debut." New Indie Press - Quotes


Discography

Suddenly Bright Out (Kirk Smith) LP 2004

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Embracing his first love -- music -- Kirk released a full-length record entitled SUDDENLY BRIGHT OUT last spring, and just finished his second solo acoustic tour of the Northeast. Tour highlights included a month long residency at Pianos in Manhattan, World Café Live in Philadelphia, and Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ.

Kirk inhabits the stage with natural energy and complete commitment. His background as a playwright/performer grants him an unusual perspective on his job as an entertainer, and his ability to connect with his audience is a wonderful thing to watch. Although his work in theatre was always music-based, lately he has eliminated the distractions and simply plays from the heart, his strong voice complimenting his compelling collection of songs.

A similar ethos governs SUDDENLY BRIGHT OUT. Outside players were intentionally kept to a minimum. "I wanted flexibility, you know? And part of that meant making the record alone, as much as possible.” That said, several tracks feature the talents of Dave Robinson (The Scabs) on drums and George Reiff (Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson) on bass, in addition to the work of Austin’s “Producer of the Year” Lars Goransson (The Cardigans, Fastball, Shane Bartell).

SUDDENLY BRIGHT OUT is a journey filled with specific, personal discoveries. Kirk's curiosity and dedication bring to mind a less strident Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), and his method recalls the ingenuity of a younger, tougher David Bowie. His literary roots surface in the album's rich, detailed lyrics -- stories populated with images of the night sky, visions of trust and betrayal, and dreams of flying.

Ranging in scope from the hostile political scorcher "Not on my Side" to the atmospheric closing track, "Aloud", the album offers up a full sampling of Kirk himself -- emotionally intense yet relaxed, sophisticated yet naïve, spontaneous yet dependable. But unlike a lot of songwriters, Kirk is far from vulnerable or insecure. "I'm ready for anything," he says with an air of lighthearted confidence accompanied by a sly grin.