Smith Westerns

Smith Westerns

Smith Westerns are an indie rock band from Chicago, United States. The group is active from 2007 to 2014 and features Cullen Omori on vocals, Max Kakacek on guitar, Cameron Omori on bass, and Julien Ehrlich on drums. Other members associated with the band include Hal James, Max Kakacek, Cameron Omori, Julien Ehrlich and Cullen Omori.

Background

The band forms in Chicago in 2007 and tours in the United States and Europe. During that period, they support acts including MGMT, Florence and the Machine, Belle and Sebastian, Girls and Passion Pit. Their sound is associated with lo-fi, garage rock, noise pop, indie and garage rock.

Releases and recording

Their self-recorded debut album, Smith Westerns, appears in 2009 and is noted for a lo-fi approach with youthful, glam rock-influenced pop songs. In 2010, the band works with producer Chris Coady, known for work with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio and Beach House, and records for Fat Possum in a proper studio. The result is a cleaner, higher-quality set of layered pop songs.

Later activity

The band splits up at the end of 2014. Afterward, Max Kakacek and Julien Ehrlich start Whitney. Ziyad Asrar of Touching Voids also occasionally plays keyboards for Smith Westerns.