Music Nation is a Music Video Competition for Independent Artists

The Smyrk formed in 2004, when singer Doron Flake stumbled upon a young instrumental trio. Guitarist/bassists Nick Logan and Ari Sadowitz, along with drummer Chris Barone, had been playing the Connecticut club circuit, receiving puzzled looks and intrigued glances from audiences across the state. The nascent quartet took its time with songcraft until working with Eric Rachel (Saves the Day, Dillinger Escape Plan) to produce its debut EP, Monsters on Maple Street. The self-released record garnered praise from venerable sources such as absolutepunk.net, which said, "The Smyrk color outside the lines. I have never heard rock and roll like this before…Diverting and recreating the core ingredients to rock is a grand endeavor. But every once in a while, I will hear a band that takes a risk with the limits of rock and roll—and, oh is it good.” After circulating around the internet and the Northeast, Monsters on Maple Street caught the ear of Incubus bassist and former Roots guitarist Ben Kenney. The band wasted no time in booking a monthlong tour across the country, performing in Los Angeles for Kenney, who invited them to record at his home in August 2006. Monsters on Maple Street was picked up for distribution by Mr. Kenney’s label, Ghetto Crush, and quickly became a top seller on the label's website. The Smyrk traveled back to Los Angeles in August to start work on six new tracks. Recorded over a month in Mr. Kenney’s home studio, New Fiction is the sound of a band coming into its own – dynamic, natural, and explosive. Available online in late February, and in stores this spring, New Fiction is both the next step and a sign of things to come.