Singled Out: Noel Smyth “East Coast”

The winter time seems a million years away as the sun seems to be up at all hours and the heat begins to weigh heavy. But even so, as Noel Smyth sings out “cruising down the highway / right through the snow / its just about midnight / don’t know where to go” on his track “East Coast”, the sentiment and vibe still ring true in this moment. You can drive around, you can feel the road beneath the rubber of your tires (sans ice and slippery flakes) but, alas, the places you can go are few. The tune also brings us a feel good and summer sonic vibe in this time…despite the descriptions in the lyrics…and lets face it, we could all use a bit of feel good vibes right now. Dig in.

Who: Noel Smyth

From: Boston, MA

Song: “East Coast”

Latest Record: “Sugar Suspension”

What About It: “This song’s called “East Coast” from “Sugar Suspension”, my most recent and fourth full-length album.  I wrote it during my first year living in the great state of MA on a snowy evening after learning I’d have the following day off from teaching due to the inclement weather.  Funny enough, this was over a decade ago, before I ever recorded my first full-length album.  Why didn’t I record “East Coast” on that first (or second, or third) album(s)?  Well, it was definitely one of my best “crowd pleasers” even back then, but I suppose I was intimidated by it for a number of reasons.  First, it wasn’t my usual style.  It was clearly pop while I was playing Americana/Folk/Singer Songwriter stuff and I simply didn’t know if a pop song belonged on a Noel Smyth album; I know better now.  Secondly, the song was a natural classic on its own, but in order for it to flourish in the public sphere, it needed a full band of genuine musicians to help bring it to fruition.  Thus, it wasn’t recorded until last summer when I assembled a formidable quintet in Malden four albums (a decade) after it was written.  And now that the results are in, clearly it was well worth the wait.  From the Beach Boys-esque harmonies to the street corner sax, this tune is one you can imagine blaring from the speakers outside Fenway Park.  Someday soon, you just may.”