Sills & Smith

Rank #3 Ottawa, ON, CA Alternative / Folk Rock / Singer/Songwriter

About

Members: Frank Smith, Jeremy Sills, Jonathan Edwards

Sounds Like: We sound exactly like us!

Label: Independent

Manager: Self-Managed

Bio: Sills and Smith is an independent, alternative folk/rock band based in Ottawa, Canada. The group includes Jeremy Sills, Frank Smith and Jonathan Edwards. The band has released two albums of all original material: Uncertain Vista (2011) and No Way In, No Way Out (2012). Both are full-length effort... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

Listening to the latest mixes of 11 of 15 tracks from The Glorious Ache! Brand new studio album from Sills & Smith. World-wide release June.

Press

“9/10 for No Way In, No Way Out! The best part of this album is that it is so stylistically expansive. There’s something for everybody: metal, post-hippie jams, country, adult alternative, and good old alternative rock. This band’s sound is very thick, and the songs have good trajectory.”

— PJ Cornell, Editor In Chief, Asterisked Music Journal

“9/10 for No Way In, No Way Out! This is a band with a very full sound. It’s a big sticky ball of alternative rock that rolled down a grassy hill, picking up pieces of several other genres in its path...”

— PJ Cornell, Editor in Chief, Asterisked Music Journal

“Sills & Smith Release New Tracks To Stream; Third Album In Works - Ottawa alt-folk band Sills & Smith are hard at work on their third album, another ambitious endeavour (15 tracks seems to be the magic number in the air right now). To tide fans over, they’ve thrown up two new tunes to stream: “Promises” and “Hold Tight”, the latter of which is one of their strongest outings to date. Give it a spin below then head to ReverbNation! ”

— Amber Scoyne, Open 'Til Midnight

"Would It All Be Different?" shows Sills & Smith in top form as prog-rockers. Go figure. What can't these guys do well? Nothing, as far as I can tell. This epic track's got some Moody Blues-style grand philosophizing, a Floydian lead guitar solo, a busy, melodic bassline and their typical top-notch production. Four-bagger!

— Howard Lawrence, Howard Lawrence Reverbnation artist

“Not content adhering to any one genre, the Canadian duo of Jeremy Sills (vocals, guitars) and Frank Smith (vocals) play everything from folk to prog to alt.rock on No Way In No Way Out. The follow-up to 2011's Uncertain Vista, this album is about as diverse as you can get. Sills and Smith have drastically different voices — one sounds like Warren Zevon and the other recalls any of a number of singers who made small fortunes in the mid-Nineties. But they oddly complement each other, and the retro vibe is cool and timely — especially in an era when bands like Soul Asylum and Blues Traveler are releasing new albums. ”

— Michael Popke, Sea of Tranquility

“Bouncy opener "Melancholy World" kicks things off with an irresistible chorus that declares, "Can't escape it." And that's true. Echoing guitars and an anxious rhythm section make this a memorable opening statement and encourage listeners to stick around. "Melancholy World" is followed by "Open Season on Love," which will draw the first comparisons to Zevon. Upbeat songs like "Saturday," "It Doesn't Matter" and "That's Not the Reason" slot nicely next to more laid-back tunes such as "Clouds," "I'm Right Here" and "Life in Miniature. "Would It All Be Different?" is, hands down, No Way In No Way Out's proggiest tune, veering off in several dark and haunting directions while proving Sills & Smith would be wise to focus on prog if or when they decide to narrow their musical focus. ”

— Michael Popke, Sea of Tranquility

“Overlooking multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Edwards, who plays practically everything on these 15 songs (and even sings and writes!), would be a travesty. Without him, it's a fair guess that Sills & Smith would sound like nothing more than a folk duo. ”

— Michael Popke, Sea of Tranquility

“Tell you what folks, there are two incredible tracks from the No Way In, No Way Out album that you can't get here on RN: Pain and Would It All Be Different? Just one more reason to buy this amazing, eclectic album. The writing, playing, singing and production are all first-rate. **** ”

— Howard Lawrence, Howard Lawrence

“Peter Kearns of Snob's Music blog has ranked Sills and Smith, No Way In, No Way Out in his top 50 albums for 2012 to date. ”

— Peter Kearns, Snob's Music

“Light, George Harrison like in tone and message is followed by Ghosts tells a story of how our past is never far away. The excellent light and well defined acoustic guitars on this track suit the lyrics perfectly. Finally No Way In, No Way Out wraps up this CD in fine fashion. If you’re looking for run of the mill songs to play as background music this not the CD for you but if you want something original, thought provoking and unique then get yourself a copy of No Way In, No Way Out by Sills and Smith.”

— Don Graham, Cashbox Magazine Canada

“The driving beat of Melancholy World belies the angst of the lyric but the point is well made. Open Season on Love is almost a Doors influenced song with a hooky riff carrying the track as the plaintive vocal bemoans the state of the world. Following is I Can’t Reach You which is about someone in pain that is unreachable while Saturday is an uplifting ode to the first day of the weekend. The airy Clouds is followed by Radiance, painting a picture of an aura of “honey gold” on a special person. I’m Right Here promises support while It Doesn’t Matter is just what it seems. Pain is another Jim Morrisonesque ode, possibly to the sweet release of death? Would It All Be Different? ponders the question of turning back time. Life in Miniature is ethereal in its imaginary and haunting vocals. That’s Not the Reason is the irrationality of reason set to funky bass and drum line and authoritative vocal.”

— Don Graham, Cashbox Magazine Canada

“Electric eclectic folk rock is one way to describe the textured sound of the new CD by Ottawa based duo Sills and Smith. The fifteen song collection is a musical and lyrical journey deftly produced by multi talented and multi instrumentalist Jonathan Edwards. Recorded at Edwards’ Corvidae Music in Ottawa is a ‘thinking man’s” CD, with introspective , probing and thought provoking lyrics backed by airy, creative tracks of acoustic, slide and electric guitars, bass, drums and keys. ”

— Don Graham, Cashbox Magazine Canada

"Hey guys just rocking by to say I just bought a copy of "No Way In, No Way Out". Truly awesome and King Minion recommends all visitors to buy this great sounding album!!!"

— King Minion, King Minion Music Podcast

"I'll count my blessings until there's nothing left to say" (from the CD 'No Way In, No Way Out')... The new album is an epic... a poetic yelp from the heart that rocks (check out the song "Pain'")

— Mike Jurgaitis, Robokitty

“The new album 'No Way In, No Way Out' is phenomenal - highly recommended, buy it!”

— Robin Youlton, Rhesus Monkey

“Sills and Smith prep new album "No Way In, No Way Out" Sills and Smith came out of seemingly nowhere last year, well Ottawa in fact, to deliver one of my favorite Canadian records of the year Uncertain Vista. They return with another set of 15 new songs, No Way In, No Way Out in mid-March. Listen to "I'm Right Here" now. ”

— Peter Kearns, T.O. Snob's Music

"Uncertain Vista has been on repeat in both my cd player and my head for the last month. These guys are the purest of talent. The tension in their music, melodies and lyrics play off each other perfectly in this unique blend of East Coast Prog."

— Dan Belsito, Bottled She Was

"Angry Geezer by Sills & Smith. This song is so wickedly perfect from the angst vocals to the spidery web burst guitar solos. Anyone who knows music can spot the distinct “Canadian” flavor of Angry Geezer. Band members Frank Smith, Jeremy Sills and Jonathan Edwards pull together an impressive array of solid songs for their latest CD “Uncertain Vista”. Tracks are listed on their RN page and the Album available on CD Baby, iTunes, Emusic. and many other music download sites. Uncertain Vista contains 21 songs and the music is very much worth the price of downloading."

— King Minion, King Minion Podcast

“Uncertain Vista makes the top 100 best albums of 2011 according to T.O. Snob's Music!”

— Peter Kearns, T.O. Snob's Music

"Pacing is everything; but there's music that should be getting heard. So for a 2nd Monday feature here's Sills and Smith (Jeremy Allan Michael Sills /Frank Smith) with "Writer's Retreat."The Tragically Hip have been trying for years to get something as epic and achingly personal combined in the same tune...The song opens with wobbly singing that intones "a cabin in the woods, a writer's retreat, a long gravel road..." over an ominous minor chord to minor sixth dirty guitar; clearly this is isn't a story that ends well. The spacious mix leaves storytelling room, and the choruses open into a rolling 6/8 release of major chords with layers of expansive bass and lead guitar. The production work of Jonathan Edwards makes what would be a merely quirky tune in the wrong hands into a dramatic knockout. And this is definitely one of the more artful videos I've seen. Well done guys!"

— Jeff Roberts, Jaebberwocky...because it should be heard!

"Beautiful. No one can slow this down, your rush into the channels of existence seems liquid and though deep, touched by warm light, honey gold..."

— Reiny Pier, Reiny Pier

"Sills & Smith are awesome! I've listened to the album a few times now. It's one of those rare albums that pulls you in, becomes a long time friend. Great musicianship, a really tight band. The mix is perfect. The whole album is engrossing. If you guys need anymore affirmation that you are on the right path you've got it from me. Please let me know when album 2 is out."

— Robin Youlton, Rhesus Monkey

"I love being in this magic sunscape again. Uncertain Vista is a beautiful, thoughtful CD and looking forward to more."

— Mike Jurgaitis, RoboKitty

“Uncertain Vista sprawls for 60 minutes and 21 songs, allowing enough room for the two or three bands playing to each show off their signature sounds. Of the collection, I prefer the indie rock centered band the most, but the musicianship is strong across the board. Of course, it's not a collection of bands, it's just the split personalities of Sills and Smith, jumping between indie/alt rock and Americana (Canadian style)/folk. ”

— Jester Jay Goldman, Jester Jay: Music and Other Essential Thoughts

“The first three songs start out on the indie rock side, with A Writer's Retreat creating some beautiful music. The see saw rhythmic start features some harmonic note textures that contrast nicely with the wide open flow of the chorus. The electric guitar is wonderful, creating a counterpoint of sounds that balance the structured arrangement of the other instruments. Similarly, on Inside/Outside, the electric guitar adds character, largely by being less anchored to the Police-like main guitar figure. ”

— Jester Jay Goldman, Jester Jay: Music and Other Essential Thoughts

“Sills And Smith: CD release show, new video. From time-to-time I like to show some love to our friends in the nation's capitol. This week it's for the CD release show for Ottawa-based indie rock band Sills and Smith. The band will be feting the release of their new album Uncertain Vista. The show will take place on Friday, September 16th at the Corner Bar and Grill in Westboro (a great brunch spot if I do say so myself). Check out the video for the track "Writer's Retreat", which should appeal to fans of City And Colour: ”

— T.O. Snobs Music

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Recent Blogs

Dark Gift Radio Blog review...
May 7, 2013
Sills and Smith are based in Ottawa and class themselves as folk/rock. Members... [more]

A Writer's Retreat on MuseB...
Mar 22, 2013
TJ Clark of the MuseBoat Radio show TJ's Muse Bridge will be airing A Writer's R... [more]

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Songs

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Play "No Way In, No Way Out"

No Way In, No Way O…

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Play "Would It All Be Different?"

Would It All Be Dif…

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Play "A Writer's Retreat"

A Writer's Retreat

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Play "These Ghosts"

These Ghosts

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Play "Melancholy World"

Melancholy World

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Videos

Would It All Be Different? (Sills & Smith No Way In, No Way Out)

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Shows

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2011
Sep 16

Corner Bar and Grill (W…
Ottawa, ON, CA | 8:30pm
Corner Bar and Grill (West...
Ottawa, ON, CA
Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:30pm
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Sills and Smith Uncertain Vista - CD Release Party - Hear the new album - Meet the band - Buy the CD, hot off the presses! Music video showing - "A Writer's Retreat"

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TIW Music
Back to listen to your tunes. "A Writer's Retreat" is my favorite -- sounds like it's straight from the heart.
Last Day On Earth
Back to play Hold Tight once more, a classic catchy propulsive rock song. Great guitars and vocals and brilliant hooks.
Valentine & Gobo
Heyya Frank - and Sills! Just back here to have a listen to our favorite " Would it all be different".... amazing song! ... we have a new song up " Loves Embrace". Rasmus...
buchanproductions
Captivating Music awesome production.
Johnny Bonkers
Superb music and tracks,Frank,Jeremy and Jonathan ,wonderful production and writing,have a great week, Peace and World Love, Johnny
TripleFirrre
"Would It All Be Different?" Sills & Smith makes it all different ... in a great way!

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Questions

Ask Sills & Smith anything...

Q: Hello, i´m from Brazil. I saw your comments on Callado's page and came here. Would it be... is a finest piece of music; Congratulations!

A: Thank you so much! Love your music too. Would It All Be Different? features one mighty fine musical arrangement by Jonathan Edwards. Be sure to check out the new music video for that song by David Duchow! Now posted here.

Asked by anonymous. Answered on Sat Jan 19 2013

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