The Smart Set is an Electronica/Pop band from Los Angeles who's members include producer & guitarist Rick Torres (of Supreme Beings of Leisure and Bitter:Sweet), vocalist Eleni Vorvolakos, bassist Wayne Lothian (of General Public and The Special Beat), keyboardist Dave Schulz (of The Goo Goo Dolls) and drummer Chris O'Brien.
They sound like Morcheeba, Portishead, Massive Attack and they have many influences from the soul of 70s.
Rick Torres and Eleni Vorvolakos speaked with Dimitris Antonopoulos and you can read below more for this very interesting new band:
1/ Tell me some details about the album (mixing with THE SMART SET*)
It is available as a download only album for the moment... which is
considered "ECO FRIENDLY" I guess...
It was recorded in my own studio here in Hollywood California, The recording was made using Pro Tools and we spent about a year writing and recording it with the band.
2/Do u have a new singer now?
Yes, Her name is ELENI VORVOLAKOS and she is quite amazing. The previous singer Brandi Emma had an epiphany and decided that she really wanted to be a solo folk singer and did not like being in a band. ELENI is currently working with the band on some new material for a new record... as well as getting familiar with the songs we already have. She is bringing a fresh interpretation, to them that is really wonderful.
3/What music are u listening nowdays?
Santigold, The Bird and The Bee, the new Portishead and Massive Attack, Chris Joss, Sia, Mike Snow, Lady Gaga, and Hot Chip. Too much to really write down here, but those are the highlights.
4/What about USA today? New sounds? Or just recycling stuffs?
A little of both. We are just now, it seems as a culture, becoming much more conscious of the rest of the world. (America seems to have been just a bit self centered in the past.)There is a lot more integration of music from other cultures happening now that is very exciting.
5/I love very much 'LOVE NEVER DIES' u know, some "secrets" about the song?
Yes, it was inspired by A request for music for the new movie "MERCY" by Scott Caan (James Cann's son) It was written and inspired by The guitar playing of Keith Richards, and the music of A.C. Jobim and Burt Bacharach.
6/An Athens gig with the SMART SET?
YES PLEASE?
7/Are u still in love with A.C.Jobim?
Ummmm - yeah, we are... LOVE NEVER DIES :-) He is one of my fav ever by the way! (Ours too!)
8/And your 3 fav albums of all time?
ELENI:
DAMIEN RICE: "O"
LED ZEPPELIN: "HOUSES OF THE HOLY"
JUSTIN NOZUKA:
RICK: (Can I have four please?)
DAVE BRUBECK: "TIME OUT"
THE BEATLES: REVOLVER
MILES DAVIS: "KIND OF BLUE"
THE ROLLING STONES: LET IT BLEED
Official Site
MySpace Site
They sound like Morcheeba, Portishead, Massive Attack and they have many influences from the soul of 70s.
Rick Torres and Eleni Vorvolakos speaked with Dimitris Antonopoulos and you can read below more for this very interesting new band:
1/ Tell me some details about the album (mixing with THE SMART SET*)
It is available as a download only album for the moment... which is
considered "ECO FRIENDLY" I guess...
It was recorded in my own studio here in Hollywood California, The recording was made using Pro Tools and we spent about a year writing and recording it with the band.
2/Do u have a new singer now?
Yes, Her name is ELENI VORVOLAKOS and she is quite amazing. The previous singer Brandi Emma had an epiphany and decided that she really wanted to be a solo folk singer and did not like being in a band. ELENI is currently working with the band on some new material for a new record... as well as getting familiar with the songs we already have. She is bringing a fresh interpretation, to them that is really wonderful.
3/What music are u listening nowdays?
Santigold, The Bird and The Bee, the new Portishead and Massive Attack, Chris Joss, Sia, Mike Snow, Lady Gaga, and Hot Chip. Too much to really write down here, but those are the highlights.4/What about USA today? New sounds? Or just recycling stuffs?
A little of both. We are just now, it seems as a culture, becoming much more conscious of the rest of the world. (America seems to have been just a bit self centered in the past.)There is a lot more integration of music from other cultures happening now that is very exciting.
5/I love very much 'LOVE NEVER DIES' u know, some "secrets" about the song?
Yes, it was inspired by A request for music for the new movie "MERCY" by Scott Caan (James Cann's son) It was written and inspired by The guitar playing of Keith Richards, and the music of A.C. Jobim and Burt Bacharach.
6/An Athens gig with the SMART SET?
YES PLEASE?
7/Are u still in love with A.C.Jobim?
Ummmm - yeah, we are... LOVE NEVER DIES :-) He is one of my fav ever by the way! (Ours too!)
8/And your 3 fav albums of all time?
ELENI:
DAMIEN RICE: "O"
LED ZEPPELIN: "HOUSES OF THE HOLY"
JUSTIN NOZUKA:
RICK: (Can I have four please?)
DAVE BRUBECK: "TIME OUT"
THE BEATLES: REVOLVER
MILES DAVIS: "KIND OF BLUE"
THE ROLLING STONES: LET IT BLEED
Official Site
MySpace Site