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CONTACT:
Joe Weismann
info@thesmartsband.com
612-716-9808
 

THE SMARTS GET SCHOOLED BY PUBLIC RADIO
Band’s homework? To compose an original topical song each month for MPR show “In the Loop.”

MINNEAPOLIS—April 16, 2007— For the last six months, Minnesota Public Radio’s innovative news and entertainment show, “In the Loop,” has included local trio the Smarts as its house band. Plenty of shows have a house band, true. But, as part of the gig for the Smarts, there’s a catch: monthly homework, to write a song on an assigned topic.

So far, the band’s songs have been about subjects including environmentalism, employment, international relations and politics. “Writing an original song each month is a pretty brisk pace, but our challenge is the themes. They don’t really lend themselves well to typical pop song lyrics,” says Joe Weismann, the band’s bassist, vocalist and lyricist. “It’s not like the show’s topic is ever “breaking up with your girlfriend” or “unrequited love.” It’s diplomacy, or voter apathy. And while it seems reasonable that one might write a novelty song about North Korea, to write a real song that stands up to repeated listenings is different. Especially when it’s about Kim Jong Il. The end result shouldn’t sound like it was an assignment.”

This month “In the Loop” will look at what drives protest, the tipping point when people decide to take a stand on the causes that matter to them, and the Smarts will debut the song, “I Care But I Don’t.” The show’s host, Jeff Horwich, is himself an accomplished musician, and writes a song for the show each month as well. The band also learns and performs Horwich’s song with him, and they provide all of the show’s transition music between segments.  

The Smarts have been compared to everyone from Ben Folds to Burt Bacharach to They Might Be Giants. Minnesota Monthly wrote, “Imagine if the members of Steely Dan were Midwestern softies instead of New York snots and you’ll begin to grasp this smooth jazzy pop trio.” In addition to Weismann, the band includes pianist, vocalist and song composer Jimmy Kennedy and drummer and vocalist Mo Engel.

“In the Loop” pushes the boundaries of public radio, opening the way for new voices, new attitudes, new radio techniques and an entirely new way of relating to listeners. The monthly taping is free and open to live studio audience participation. The next taping is Thurs., April 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the UBS Forum at Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul. The show will be broadcast Friday, April 20 at 9 p.m. and Sunday, April 22 at 6 p.m. For more about “In the Loop” or to be in the studio audience, visit http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/programs/in_the_loop/.

For more on the Smarts, and to hear and see their performances on “In the Loop” and their other work, visit http://www.myspace.com/thesmartsband or www.thesmartsband.com. The band’s new album, “A Tribute To,” is available locally at Cheapo and the Electric Fetus, or online at iTunes or http://cdbaby.com/cd/smarts.