Biography
CRAIG SMITH
Craig Smith possesses a warmth and honesty that permeates everything he touches, everyone he meets, every song he sings.
Craig first made his mark, as a solo recording artist, in 2007, with the album ‘Not Sure Not Sure’, a musical statement of self awareness that made the Toronto Star Anti-Hit List (a compilation of the best music found outside the mainstream)
Craig’s self assessment then - “I’ve never really been sure about what I'm doing. I just write songs and kind of hope for the best."
Since then, Craig has stayed the course, touring and continuing to clear a path that cleverly walks the line between the roots of rock and country, and the melody of pop.
"I guess my main influences have been people like Neil Young who have always had the integrity to follow their own instincts," he says. "I wouldn't want to get boxed into one category, even though I understand some of the advantages of that. I mean, I love country music, but I also love Bowie”.
Add to Craig’s inspirations Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and Paul Westerberg (Replacements) who have clearly permeated Smith’s musical psyche.
On his newest album, HEAVY EARLY, (May, 2011 release), Craig Smith coaxes his familiar Gretsch guitar in and out of corners of his mind, from where comes 12 more musings of a young man pondering his place in the world and the relationships that have brought him love, loss, longing and evidently a little wisdom along the way.
These are highly personal narratives of alienated characters searching for something to connect with, finding hope - set to a melodic and often joyous swagger of loud rock and roll intertwined with little acoustic songs that give Heavy Early a cognitive dissonance - a classic, two-sider vinyl album kind-of-flow.
HEAVY EARLY was recorded in late 2009, by Craig Smith with his brother Ian Smith, and the late Dan Achen, @ Catherine North, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
In addition to getting out on the road and playing live as a solo performer, as well as his band The Machine, Craig Smith continues to record and produce other singer/songwriters.
Since the release of Not Sure Not Sure, Craig has shared the stage with an eclectic mix of established and up-and-coming artists, such as Fred Eaglesmith, Jason Collett, Danny Michel, Zeus, Matthew Barber, Afie Juvanen (Bahamas), The Warped 45’s, and Drive-By-Truckers. He tours as a solo artist and with his band ‘Machine’, and is also the guitarist for his partner, acclaimed roots artist, Romney Getty.
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Jeff Woods, Explore Music/Q107 (2010)
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/craigsmithh