https://www.tonedeaf.com.au/4120...xander-smith-outside.htmLos Angeles singer / songwriter / world traveller Xander Smith just released his second solo record, Outside (out now via Music Fix/ MGM). For this record the Run Run Run frontman has enlisted the help of some seriously impressive names, including Joy Division and New Order original members Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, and Phil Cunningham.
Having released his debut solo effort Hey San Pedro in 2012, Smith began to tour as a solo artist, and thanks to his incredible fan support he’s been able to play shows almost worldwide, from UK to Siberia, Smith makes up his bands with musicians in each new town just like Chuck Berry has done for decades. To celebrate this true troubadour’s release he’s kindly given us a track by track run down of the album (written in third person).
Say Anything
In April 2013 New Order arrived in Southern California to play the Coachella Festival. On his day off, guitarist Phil Cunningham, a longtime friend and former bandmate of Xander Smith’s, stopped by to pick up Xander on a quick errand to a local guitar shop. Phil started to pick out the opening riff of what would be “Say Anything.”
On the spot Smith grabbed another acoustic and started adding chords and an easy melody. Most of the song was born that day. Soon enough the recording of this track would continue in different studios and almost every musician added some bit to it, including none other than Bernard Sumner who contributed his signature melodica, some backing vocals and mix notes. The song is about a long distance disconnect between lovers who can’t quite seem to make it work between Los Angeles and the little town of Stockport just outside Manchester, UK.
