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Who Art Thou?

Episode 188: Silk

Season 6, Ep. 65
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Today's guest on the podcast is Michael Smyth, talking about his brilliant new solo project Silk!

Also the guitarist/songwriter in Belfast shoegaze band Virgins,  Michael leans into the heavier end of shoegaze spectrum than his main project.

The primary focus of this episode will be Silk's latest single, 'but then, yes', which was released on June 26th.

On 'but then, yes', Michael further expands his sound, as the song dovetails between almost impenetrable vast walls of fuzz, to shimmering dreamy passages building to a devastating crescendo. The track also features vocals from AJ Das of Dublin shoegazers, Picture Postcard. Lyrically the song delves into the evolution of connection between people over time, from plutonic to romantic and into something deeper, capturing the electricity as emotions experience that slow but seismic shift. 

Written, performed and recorded by Michael, when it came time to mix the song he turned to long time collaborator Jonny Woods (1980 Something Studios, Wynona Bleach) and Jon Moorehead of Moosetronix to master the track. The impetus for the project is described by Michael, “I constantly feel like I am rushing towards the inevitable infinite oblivion. Further exacerbated by the marking of years spent circling the sun. To that end, it’s important that I fill the time remaining with joyous, creative acts. The sharing of ideas is an essential part of that, which brings us to Silk.” The single is released ahead of the first live dates for Silk, which will see members of Broncos, Ferals and Wynona Bleach take up position in the live band.

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