Today, Hawaii via Liverpool’s rising star and pioneer of “Aloha Soul” Eli Smart shares new single “B-Side” out now via Polydor. Once again building upon Eli’s now distinctive sound, jangly laid back guitars and soaring, soulful vocals transport you to a Sepia-filtered beach, drink in hand.
Working with the acclaimed producer of Arlo Parks, Gianluca Buccellati, has allowed Eli to explore and expand his authentic ‘Aloha Soul’ sound, a unique blend of Tropicana, timeless guitar pop and blue-eyed soul. Eli’s work remains impassioned and stirring, whilst preserving a swingy and high-spirited essence imbued with warmth.
Speaking on the track, Eli adds:
“Right when my mate Luca and I started recording the vocals for this tune a massive rainstorm hit our side of the island, we were record everything in my room which is nowhere near sound proofed, so all the rain and roosters were jumping on the track. We decided to not fight it though and leave it all in as it really set the mood for us. At the start of the tune you can hear a load of rain absolutely dumping down outside, I think we even kept it in throughout at a subtle level. Similarly, this song is about not fighting something even if it isn’t going how you particularly would want it to go.
As Andre (Ice Cold) 3000 would say, “you can plan a pretty picnic but you can’t predict the weather”. For me, there’s a certain peace in accepting a bittersweet outcome of a romantic situation even if it leaves you blue and nostalgic.”
Originally hailing from Kauai, where he was raised by a family of musicians and grew up on a diet of soul legends such as Gladys Knight, Jimi Hendrix, Prince and The Beatles, Eli has returned to the UK this year, and already taken it by storm. After supporting fellow Liverpudlian’s Stone on their UK tour and a slot at The Great Escape, Eli then joined the legendary Miles Kane on his UK tour dates. Having already cut his teeth with some of the UKs most exciting artists, Eli is quickly cementing himself as a must-watch live act.
Eli rose to prominence early last year with the release of his debut EP ‘Boonie Town’ in early 2021, four glorious tracks that showcased Smart’s irresistible, sun-dappled vision. From the gorgeously sweet bitter tang of lead track “Come Down” to the doo-wop swagger of “No Destination”; the twinkling falsetto croons on the irrepressibly lovestruck anthem-in-waiting “Highschool Steady” to last year’s “Cruella Deville”, which became a sleeper smash on radio and won him fans in the likes of Clara Amfo, Elton John, Greg James, Adele Roberts, Gemma Bradley and more. Earlier this year Eli shared the gorgeous “AM to PM”, which was quickly adopted by Jack Saunders & Gilles Peterson and now returns with the start of a new project that will undoubtedly be an even bigger one for this star in the making.
Eli Smart Live Dates:
3 July – Barn on The Farm
14 August – Boardmasters
21 August – Green Man
ELI SMART ONLINE
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
