Dom Smith is a talented man. A renowned businessman, he's also a fighter for independent artists, editor for acclaimed the acclaimed Soundsphere Magazine. He's a also a damned fine drummer, sitting at the back with Parasitic Twins. On the back of latest EP 'All That's Left To Do Now Is Sleep With Each Other', we sat down with Dom for a chat about the importance of image, and why twenty years on Nine Inch Nails art still stands the test of time.
By Eamon O'Neill.
Hi guys, there's just the two of you; do you regret it?
Every single day.
What's the best and worst shows you’ve played so far?
We just played New Wortley Community Centre in Leeds that was really, really fun. But as Seep Away, we played some pretty cool shows with Hands Off Gretel too! Our worst show was in a different band, Stickybackplastics, and we supported a terrible goth band. Like, way more terrible than you imagine your average goth band to be.
Given the cyclical nature of musical trends, do you believe that the current response to the traditional album concept will be eclipsed in the coming years?
We live in an attention economy, and the truth of the matter is, nobody has the attention span – especially younger listeners – to listen to full albums anymore. Max (Watt – guitar and vocals) and I argue about this all the time!
I mean, I think for punk and metal there’s an argument that the album format is still valuable, but there’s no denying that streaming in varying forms is the future. I always say that, these days it’s better to release a series of singles over a year than a full album. That way, you are consistently giving your audience something, and they don’t just get an album of songs and after listening to it a few times, moving on. With a series of singles - maybe an album’s worth - over a year, people are less likely to get bored. Of course, that’s just my opinion, and my experience from working in and around the music industry, and seeing it develop over the last decade (as part of Soundsphere magazine).
Tours; where are you going and when? Can we come?
We’re going on tour with Carnival Rejects around the North of England, stopping in Hull, Stockport, York, Ashton Under Lyne, and we have a few more shows as well. I’m pretty excited about that!
Do you remember the last time a piece of art, of any kind, paralysed you, for better or for worse?
Nine Inch Nails’ video for ‘Happiness In Slavery’, now that’s real art right there, mate.
Finally, consider the importance of image; do you feel image is something bands take seriously enough, or do you think its something bands shy away from for fear of looking silly?
I think there are some incredible bands that have a great image; think about Mushroomhead, think about all those classic bands you mentioned! Music is an art form, and If you have a strong image or vibe – another great new band that comes to mind is Queen Zee from Liverpool, they fantastic – then you should absolutely use it. We’re a dirty, doomy hardcore punk band, there’s nothing you can do to make us look, or sound very pretty.
Hi guys, there's just the two of you; do you regret it?
Every single day.
What's the best and worst shows you’ve played so far?
We just played New Wortley Community Centre in Leeds that was really, really fun. But as Seep Away, we played some pretty cool shows with Hands Off Gretel too! Our worst show was in a different band, Stickybackplastics, and we supported a terrible goth band. Like, way more terrible than you imagine your average goth band to be.
Given the cyclical nature of musical trends, do you believe that the current response to the traditional album concept will be eclipsed in the coming years?
We live in an attention economy, and the truth of the matter is, nobody has the attention span – especially younger listeners – to listen to full albums anymore. Max (Watt – guitar and vocals) and I argue about this all the time!
I mean, I think for punk and metal there’s an argument that the album format is still valuable, but there’s no denying that streaming in varying forms is the future. I always say that, these days it’s better to release a series of singles over a year than a full album. That way, you are consistently giving your audience something, and they don’t just get an album of songs and after listening to it a few times, moving on. With a series of singles - maybe an album’s worth - over a year, people are less likely to get bored. Of course, that’s just my opinion, and my experience from working in and around the music industry, and seeing it develop over the last decade (as part of Soundsphere magazine).
Tours; where are you going and when? Can we come?
We’re going on tour with Carnival Rejects around the North of England, stopping in Hull, Stockport, York, Ashton Under Lyne, and we have a few more shows as well. I’m pretty excited about that!
Do you remember the last time a piece of art, of any kind, paralysed you, for better or for worse?
Nine Inch Nails’ video for ‘Happiness In Slavery’, now that’s real art right there, mate.
Finally, consider the importance of image; do you feel image is something bands take seriously enough, or do you think its something bands shy away from for fear of looking silly?
I think there are some incredible bands that have a great image; think about Mushroomhead, think about all those classic bands you mentioned! Music is an art form, and If you have a strong image or vibe – another great new band that comes to mind is Queen Zee from Liverpool, they fantastic – then you should absolutely use it. We’re a dirty, doomy hardcore punk band, there’s nothing you can do to make us look, or sound very pretty.
