Smog

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Austin, United States

Bill Callahan, born in Silver Spring, Maryland. Callahan followed the genre of underground rock, with homemade tape-albums recorded on four track tape recorders. Later he signed a record contract with the label .

Callahan started out as a highly artist, utilizing sub-standard instruments and recording equipment. His reason for using the lo-fi approach was not so much an aesthetic choice, rather it came from his lack of knowledge of recording studios, and fear of giving up control to professional engineers.

His later work saw him overcoming his fear of studios and producers, and in this period he recorded two albums with the influential producer Jim O’Rourke and musicians from the circles around , as well as collaborating with the similar-minded Neil Hagerty.

His songs are based on simple, repetitive structures, strikingly characterized by his baritone vocal. His lyrics are often centered around themes of spiritual searching and the complexity of emotions, with the use of subtlety and dark irony in the classic sense. There is also a broad swathe of joy throughout Callahan’s work (and a singular obsession with horses that he shares with Will Oldham). He is a keen storyteller using simple words to project large and deeply echoing tales.

Callahan’s love life has been documented with vigor in numerous hipster publications, including his romantic relationship with Chan Marshall (Cat Power), who allegedly penned “To Be a Good Woman” in tribute to Callahan while referencing his song “To Be Of Use.” It has recently been rumored that Callahan is now involved with labelmate Joanna Newsom.
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Top Albums

  • A River Ain't Too Much to Love
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  • Knock Knock
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  • Red Apple Falls
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  • Dongs of Sevotion
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Top Tracks

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  • jodidianna3

    Met him at the "Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival" in San Francisco...He's a sweetheart :) He played a long set at the festival then played a concert that night at The Independent and caught that concert too! He's is so amazing, talented and creative...He "IS" everything Lo-Fi. (*I wonder if he is still dating Joanna Newsom???)

    yesterday afternoon

  • semencic

    Just re-discovered them, mind blowing, the same thing happened to me when I re-discovered (recovered?) Pixies. Thanks you bands, you make my life worth living every day.

    Monday afternoon

  • weirdostrango

    nice rich voice, original, contemplated, funny lyrics, charming band!

    Sunday morning

  • Mladen1988

    Wonderful voice.

    11 days ago

  • tripouts

    currently in a state of mind for kicking a couple around. finally adore it in its entirety, so beautiful, i love you bill

    13 days ago

  • lamechop

    big boy music

    March 2012

  • misterlanks

    Drag City's been doing that for a lot of their stuff

    March 2012

  • vodkabitter

    drag city removed most of smog videos and songs from you tube

    February 2012
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