Singles Spotlight:
Smokey Brights –
“All In Who You Know”

Hello reader,

How are you today?

Today, we’re excited to talk about another artist who is making some great music: Smokey Brights. They’re a band consisting of members Kim West (vocals/keys), Ryan Devlin (vocals/guitars), Luke Ragnar (bass/vocals), and Nick Krivchenia (drums) that has made noise within the Seattle music scene in the past decade, building up a fan base with their first album, Taste For Blood, in 2014, followed by their second album Hot Candy in 2016, two EPs in 2018; Come to Terms and Different Windows, followed by their third full album, I Love You But Damn (2020), Broken Too EP (2023), and Levitator (2023) and this fall will release a new album.

According to the press release for the lead single, “All In Who You Know”; “While each successive release has garnered Smokey Brights more acclaim and attention – the Levitator LP and the Broken Too EP were ranked #50 and #81 respectively on KEXP’s Best of 2023 list – perhaps more important are the opportunities that have appeared as if by some musical magic. The group has four songs on the hit indie game Pacific Drive and recently recorded the soundtrack for the NPR podcast Let the Kids Dance! Along the way, they’ve racked up thousands of miles, both corporeal and cosmic, playing hundreds of shows locally, nationally, and internationally.”

In my opinion, one of the best things about the album is the Smokey Brights’ continued partnership with the label SHARE IT MUSIC. In alignment with Share It Music’s mission, a portion of the album’s proceeds will benefit Smokey Brights’ chosen charity: The Vera Project, an all-ages nonprofit space committed to fostering personal and community transformation through youth-driven engagement in music and art. We’ll always promote these kinds of collabs at SWT.

In SWT’s opinion, one of the best songs on Dashboard Heat is “All In Who You Know.” That’s the single that we’re going to spotlight today. We’re so stoked to share it with you. Looking at the song itself, it hooked me from the opening fuzzy guitar notes that chugged along throughout the music, along with the other psychedelic and melodic instrumentation, including the keytar and West’s powerful vocals. Listener, I think you’ll find enjoyment in this song, as I did. The drums are rock-solid, as are the lyrics that paint a picture of a depressed yet realistic existence set against a more uplifting melody backdrop. The video offers some fun Renaissance Faire-inspired costuming.

Via the song’s press release, “The first composite solid rocket fuel that eventually launched spaceships was made with asphalt, effectively paving the way to the moon. Dashboard Heat, the newest record by Seattle stalwarts Smokey Brights, embodies this funny little fact, using tough truths to slip the surly bonds of earth and, through hardship, touch the stars. Members Kim West (vocals/keys), Ryan Devlin (vocals/guitars), Luke Ragnar (bass/vocals), and Nick Krivchenia (drums) have crafted a ramshackle rocket of a record that touches upon cars, celestial forces, childhood homes, light and hope, darkness and grief. Produced by Andy D. Park in exchange for Ryan painting his recording studio, the album sees the band sonically shooting for the solar system while staying true to their grounded take on songcraft that has made them a mainstay of the Northwest scene.”

The awesome video for the song, “All In Who You Know” from Smokey Brights’ YouTube channel:

(All credits and rights to Smokey Brights)

Here’s a look at the album cover, out September 26th via the awesome label Share It Musicl:

The Dashboard Heat Tracklist:

1. Northgate Way
2. Never Hurts Never Mind
3. All in Who You Know
4. Peace Sign Pentagram
5. Running From the Moon
6. Beautiful Dreamer
7. Reaction
8. Roman Holiday
9. Home
10. Trying to Find a Light
11. Hard to Say

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com