Interview: Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones pull back the curtain on ‘Buzzkill Baby’
Smitt E. Smitty’s rambunctious Boston edge-rock octet return with a massive new single about fending off life’s killjoys
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Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones to release self-titled debut album later this year
“I wrote ‘Buzzkill Baby’ not only for all the buzzkills out there, but for everyone who has had to deal with them. And I had fun doing it.” – Smitt E. Smitty
BOSTON, MA [March 22, 2022] -- Buzzkills are everywhere. They make us hurt, they make us cry, they make us awfully disappointed. But now, thanks to Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones, buzzkills can finally do something they’ve never been able to do before – they can make us sing with pride. And it feels pretty damn good, if we’re being honest.
The rambunctious Boston edge-rock octet returned on Valentine’s Day with an infectious bouquet of defiant garage rock and hyperactive pop-rock called “Buzzkill Baby.” It’s the latest offering from Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones’ forthcoming self-titled album, set for release later this year, and lands on that infamous February 14 date across all streaming platforms and with an official music video.
Over its five-minute runtime, “Buzzkill Baby” is a buzzsaw earworm armed with a wildly memorable sing-along chorus and gritty rock and roll call-out verses. The follow-up to last year’s “Tall Man Dreams” now finds the inimitable Smitty taking on those in life who want to do nothing but bring everyone down – and doing so with his signature brand of eclectic, multi-genre rock and roll.
Like with most of Smitty’s songwriting, “Buzzkill Baby” was inspired by personal experiences, and takes the raw guitar-rock power of Smitty’s hometown of Detroit and lines it up nicely with Boston’s time-honored power-pop and indie rock DNA. The result is a massive tune of mythical proportions, an instant classic, and the type of song that feels like its own religious mantra. It crawls inside your headspace and refuses to leave; but unlike those buzzkills that inspired the song, this is a new companion that you’ll want to stick around.
We recently caught up with Smitty to get the scoop behind the song, and just how the catchiest damn track of 2022 came to be.
publi*sist: Ok right off the top – what is “Buzzkill Baby” all about?
Smitt E. Smitty: We have all experienced a “buzzkill” individual, or situation at one point or another in our life. Sometimes they’re brief or isolated encounters, and sometimes they are long-term encounters with people we have to work with, or a family member, or even a supposed friend. Not only are they exhausting and emotionally draining to be around, but they can take up way too much of your time and keep you from pursuing your passion or goals. I wrote “Buzzkill Baby” not only for all the buzzkills out there, but for everyone who has had to deal with them. And I had fun doing it.
It’s such a fun song. What was the songwriting process like, and how did it all come together?
The beautiful thing about the songwriting process for me is that there is no one single way a song comes to life. I truly try to keep all the windows and doors open to let the best version of a song come to fruition. An idea for a song can come from anywhere or anything. A personal experience is a big one, but sometimes a story, or a mood, or a feeling can inspire me. Sometimes it’s a sound, or a rhythm, or a simple musical refrain will jump into my imagination, and presto, I’m writing a new song. I do my utmost best to stay mentally open and let ideas come from the full gamut of life.
Was there a eureka moment where you thought “This is IT”!?
I know I’ve hit a “eureka moment” when I am so excited about a song, I simply can not stop writing until it’s done. I’ll work on it day and night. Yeah, I get a little obsessed. Once I finish the first pass, I put it away for a day or two, before coming back to it, just to make sure I took the song in a direction I’m happy with. Once the song sounds and feels right to me, that’s when I have my “This is IT” moment. By the way, a song is never done. I will make changes right up to the recording or live performance… and maybe even after that. It’s art. It’s allowed to grow and change.
Why did you decide to originally release this on Valentine’s Day?
One of the most common “buzzkill” moments we have all shared is the buzzkill of the heart. You think someone is a certain way, personally or romantically. Maybe you plan something special to celebrate and honor your relationship with them, and “BAM”… they hit you with a buzzkill moment. Disappointment galore. They weren’t the person you thought they were. The plans you made didn’t pan out. There are millions of different buzzkills in life. As unique as people are, but a buzzkill of the heart, that’s a big one. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
How does “Buzzkill Baby” set a tone for the forthcoming Feztones album?
The core tone of this album is “passion.” The album, titled Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones, is pretty consistent with the sound, performance, and production of the lead off song “Buzzkill Baby.” I am an old soul with a young heart. I have experienced and shared in so much wonderful music in my life. There is a universe of songs and music I have been gratefully exposed to. Add to that the incredibly talented and wonderful group of musicians and artists I have been blessed to work with.
The consistency of passionate tone resonates from song to song. Every song I bring to the band is just a starting point. I encourage all The Feztones to make their own interpretation. I use the phrase “you do you” a lot. I want their very best. Creatively and in their performance. You can’t get that if you’re too rigid. Artists and musicians need to create. They need to make it personal and feel good about their musical choices. Passionate and fulfilled.
How does Buzzkill Baby define Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones in 2022?
I am so very happy with how “Buzzkill Baby” turned out. In many ways it has set a high standard to which we aim to keep going with in 2022. Professional and skillful, yet still loose and fun. If we are able to continue doing that in 2022, this year may be our best year yet.
Ok, lastly – what are your own personal buzzkills these days?
There are endless numbers of “buzzkills” we all suffer through everyday, but if I had to pick one, it would be people who are obsessed with being ‘right’ all the time. In the grand scheme of things, being ‘right’ counts for very little. If being “right” means pushing people away, and being generally disagreeable and unpleasant to be around, what have you gained?
Nothing.
Let it go.
There are bigger and more beautiful things in this world.
Press Inquiries: Contact michael@publisist.co for more information.
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Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones are:
Smitt E. Smitty - Ringleader
James Melanson - Guitar
Eddie Nowick - Guitar
Andrew Padua - Bass
Linda Bean Pardee - Vocals
JoEllen Saunders Yannis - Vocals
Jonathan LaMaster - Violin & Theremin
Johnny Berosh - Drums
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Recording and Sound Engineer: Alec Rodriguez
Recorded at New Alliance Audio
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Smitt E. Smitty short bio:
Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones. Born and raised in Detroit. Moved to Boston in 1985. Smitty played in a great many Detroit bands including The Blind, Zero Ambience, L-Seven and Figures on a Beach. After moving to Boston, Figures on a Beach got signed to Sire/Warner Records and released music until the early ‘90s. FOAB disbanded 1991. Smitty then joined the Wax Trax label in Chainsuck, with lead singer songwriter Marydee Reynolds, until 1999. Smitty then played in Fireking until 2017.
Now it's Smitt E. Smitty & The Feztones time! ALL the time!
After releasing Smitt E. Smitty's debut album in 2017, titled Just A Modern Guy, Smitty went back into the recording studio with Alec Rodriguez of New Alliance Audio, in Somerville, MA. This time with a full band, aptly named The Feztones. The result is a 10 track album set for release this year, led by instant classic “Buzzkill Baby” on Valentine’s Day 2022.
Smitt E. Smitty press photo:
Media contact and all press/radio inquiries: michael@publisist.co
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