Ryan Smith may be an experienced musician, but he knows not to be pretentious about it.
I know I'm not all that and a bag of chips
Smith said. I do not try to be strange just for the sake of being strange.
Although Smith lives in Columbus, he travels to Athens several times a month to perform.
Athens has been really supportive and more people come to my shows here he said. There are more good bands in Athens than Columbus too
along with really talented singer-songwriters; it seems like people in Athens pay more attention to song craft.
Smith said Athens audiences have embraced his pop-like folk-rock with a unique Americana twist.
A lot of my writing is trying to find the line between (more unique) bands like Wilco or The Shins and the pop that is on the radio G? that way my music is still accessible G? it isn't groundbreaking
but it is interesting
Smith said.
Smith has been coming to Athens since the early 2006 release of his debut album, Neil Avenue, which is the name of the street he lived onin Columbus.
I was living with four other guys and it was like living in a frat house
Smith said. It reflects my time on Neil Avenue
and it was all recorded there G? there is noise from my roommates in the background because it was about the vibe there and it really was a set of the best songs that I had at that point
Smith said.
While Smith is proud of the songs on Neil Avenue, he is putting more thought into the consistency of his next album.
My next album will be more gelled together G? hopefully
Smith said. I'm recording right now and it will hopefully see a release in 2008. I want to record and mix it myself
and then I will send it out to be mastered.
