Tune into birnCORE on Sunday, September 30 at 8:00 p.m. for performances by Your Smith and The Blue live from the Red Room at Cafe 939.
Your Smith, formerly known as Caroline Smith, relocated from her native Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Los Angeles, California, after signing with Pulse Recording. Inspired by the history of Laurel Canyon and moving through a city that’s been immortalized in music throughout the ages, Smith concocted her own sound, bringing together the funk/R&B “Minneapolis sound” of her roots and the classic songwriting of her L.A. folk heroes.
Your Smith’s debut EP, Bad Habit, was produced by Tommy English (BØRNS), Stint (Gallant, AlunaGeorge, and NAO), and Nicky Davey (Internet and Syd tha Kid), and released on Neon Gold Records in August. She also recently appeared as a featured artist on alternative rapper Rejjie Snow’s debut.
The Blue is a country punk/retro alternative duo created by India Shore and Claire Altendahl in early 2016. Growing up in Brooklyn, Shore spent her youth flying from bars as a gymnast before falling in love with and wanting to become Judy Garland. Altendahl, fueled by the challenges of being young and gay in the Midwest, strove to play every dive bar in Minnesota before she turned 20.
Both left home at 18 to study at Berklee College of Music, and first met when Shore asked Altendahl to accompany her for an audition. Though they would fail, the judges gave one piece of helpful advice: “You guys should play together more.” Taking inspiration from artists such as the Clash, Patsy Cline, Grand Funk Railroad, and the Cure, the Blue strives to make a new sound that brings back the vintage charm of their idols.
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