Baby Smith

Bio

Saxon Gable met Ray Sonder at Kottbusser Tor, the infamous U-Bahn station in Kreuzberg, Berlin. Both fresh off flights from their hometowns in Australia (Sydney and Bryon Bay respectively), the pair had serendipitously moved to Berlin just one week apart. They quickly became friends, and a month later, they were sharing a flat together—a mere 30 meters from the station where they first met. Their first Berlin summer passed in a dizzying haze of debauchery in the city’s finest clubs, interwoven with tentative yet promising attempts at music production. However, early on, they discovered an instant and potent connection in songwriting and collaboration.

Baby Smith · ADORED - Album Demos

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They spent a couple of quiet years during the pandemic forging their sound through countless writing sessions, culminating in their debut single, ‘Cry’. The writing of ‘Cry’ was a catalytic moment for the duo, leading to the production of their debut EP, aptly titled ‘EP I’. Working with UK Indie stalwart Ali Chant, the EP has served as a springboard towards an evolving soundscape and live show. Since its release, they have played headline and support shows across Germany, the UK, Ireland, and Australia, gradually building a dedicated fan base. Their distinct and delicate vocal stylings combined with an almost oxymoronic energetic live performance have firmly established Baby Smith as ones to watch.

Baby Smith is heavily influenced by their working-class roots, which gives them an uncompromising workhorse mentality, driving them to constantly push a year ahead in terms of writing material. As they release their second EP, they have not only finished the demos for their debut album, ‘ADORED,’ but they have also begun work on a sophomore LP.

Initially taking inspiration from the vocal stylings of Barry Gibb and Justin Vernon, and the structures of the first wave of the British invasion, together they’ve honed a bold and refined approach for their debut full-length, introducing darker shades and experimental arrangements. ‘ADORED’ sees the band delving deeper into the complex narratives of their past and present lives, exploring more visceral themes of death, addiction, despair, and toxic relationships. Utilizing the modal expertise of artists like Thom Yorke and Crumb, Baby Smith tighten their grip on a mature and nuanced sound that elegantly matches their new lyrical direction.

With no room for compromise, Baby Smith have created a meticulous and unflinching sonic and aesthetic vision. Inspired by years spent living in East Berlin, visually they draw from the stark remnants of the former DDR architecture and the bleak beauty of Berlin winters. Their self-produced recordings are informed by the raw and utilitarian production techniques employed by Bowie and Iggy Pop in the late '70s, while adding a modern twist to create what they call “DIY Hi-Fi”. Their records are a breath of fresh air with a dash of Aussie charm. Their magpie approach to songwriting and recording, combined with years of experience performing live, makes them a venerable force. You must hear their music.