"In this city that never sleeps, the streets will not hide me.” Allan Smithy sings about what he knows; the suburbs, what it’s like being young, poor and trying to live in Sydney. Inspiration comes in many forms. For some they find it in old stories, for others from songs, but for Sydney’s Allan Smithy it’s all about the place.
Hailing from the inner city, Allan Smithy’s sound is self-described as nostalgia-australians rock. His songs are like that old fibro house on your street; slightly dated, strangely nostalgic and quintessentially Australian.
Allan Smithy is the solo venture of Matt Amery (previously Tin Sparrow) and the inspiration for the new name came from the cinematic alias ‘Alan Smithee’ that directors would use.
“I liked the idea of using a pseudonym because it’s a totally clean slate, not only for those listening, but also for myself writing.”
From the success of his debut single, ‘The Streets,’ Allan Smithy was named ‘Independent Artist of the Week’ at FBi, and saw plays on triple j, 2SER, 4ZZZ, Rabbit Radio, and many more.
“‘The Streets’ is about chasing down a run away. The idea that when you run away, the streets will keep you hidden until someone comes looking for you,” says Smithy. “I had the original idea while walking my dog and he bolted off. Bad situation. Good result.”
His second single ‘Four Letter Reason’ is a wash of chorus and delay, with thoroughly specific lyrics that set his music to a time and place.
HIs latest single, AIR tells the story of life, love, and loss.
As a crossword and coffee aficionado, Allan Smithy is an avid believer in the aural benefits of listening to home-grown 80’s bands. He has a sense of pride in Australian music and proudly wears his influences (The Go-betweens, The Triffids and The Church) on his sleeve.
Bathing in a sea of nostalgia, his EP ‘I See A Palm Tree’ is like a stack of old polaroids. It’s a reminder of growing up on suburban Sydney streets and tells the stories of what it’s like to watch everyone around you grow up, search for something more and finally leave.
credits
released November 4, 2016
‘I See A Palm Tree,’ was recorded between Sydney and Melbourne, with co-production credits that include Tom Iansek (Big Scary), producer/engineer Wayne Connolly (You Am I, Paul Dempsey, Cold Chisel), with mixing credits to Liam Judson (Cloud Control, The Laurels) and Chris Collins (Tigertown, Gang Of Youths, Middle Kids)
supported by 4 fans who also own “I See A Palm Tree - EP”
An incredible Artist, Singer Song Writer and Composer. One of my favorite artist of this generation. Would recommend her Music to anyone. music_addict1234
These remastered EPs are complicated vessels for understanding Giant Drag and its impetuous frontwoman, Annie Hardy. Bandcamp Album of the Day Jun 9, 2021