The New York Salsa Company aka Adam Smyth (Tribal Dance) have released their new single, This Machine Is Now, from forthcoming album, Our Landscape Is Now. We asked Adam asked the BG questions . . .
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Speaking about This Machine Won't Stop. Adam says, "The track is a reflection on the world’s politics at the moment and how isolated and powerless that can make you feel.
"For me, the song encapsulates a feeling of someone who gives up on a sense of community, solidarity and a shared experience."
Adam is a co-founder of independent label Bad Soup Records, which has released over 25 releases by acts like Brian Dillon (Meltybrains?) and Julia Louise Knifefist.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm a musician, songwriter and producer based in the Northside of Dublin (...the good side). I sang and played bass with Tribal Dance for many years, co-founded Bad Soup Records and am about to release my second solo record as The New York Salsa Company.
How would you describe your music?
My style changes a fair bit from release to release. My last album was all electronic and was leaning into electro/techno instrumental ideas, whereas this record is all guitar based music about the end of the world. The next two albums are both written and are both completely different again.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I find a lot of the music I listen to doesn't necessarily inspire me even if I really enjoy it. But some artists can get me really excited to write new material. Right now, these would be people like Tom Waits, Nina Simone, Clutchy Hopkins, Alan Vega and Wendy & Bonnie.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The first ever proper gig I was excited for and bought a ticket for was Enter Shikari in The Ambassador, Dublin in 2007. If you know, you know...
What was the first record you ever bought?
The Eminem Show by Eminem. I got this when I was about eight or nine and my Dad got really annoyed when we were listening to the album on the way home in the car because of all the swearing and turned it off. Which obviously made it very cool when you're that young...
What’s your favourite song right now?
Sycamore Trees by Jimmy Scott has been on repeat since David Lynch passed away. One of the most haunting pieces of music you'll ever hear. It's great.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Probably something from Garreth Liddiard. I covered one of his tunes at a Medical Aid for Palestinians last year. It's a track called Did She Scare All Your Friends Away: "Then he said money won't bring happiness - I very nearly cried, But he didn't venture further - no one saying that ever tries, I took a hard slug on my drink and Anna watched me while I melted, Like an ice cube in the desert of her shade".
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? by The Shirelles.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Instagram and Bandcamp - also playing the new album in full in Whelan's, Dublin with a fantastic group of musicians on 21 October as a fundraiser for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Alan Corr
