For the Smug Brothers, social distancing meant getting creative. Their newest album, Application of the Twig, slated to be released on September 10th, was written remotely. Starting as 20 to 30 idle ideas, later sculpted, carved, and stitched into art, Smug Brothers' Kyle Melton says the sound of this album brings to the forefront a style already lingering on the fringes of their earlier music.
In this conversation with Kaleidoscope host Juliet Fromholt, Melton explores adapting to new ways of writing and workshopping. He describes remote collaboration as exciting. He says he trusts the talent of his bandmates, knowing they will bring their unique sounds to the work. Marrying post-punk with soft, introspective acoustic guitar, Application of the Twig celebrates a new side of the Smug Brothers.