Few independent
artists have generated as wide
a gamut of opinions as J. M.
Smig, the musical equivalent
of the guy at the party who
offends everyone by mooning
the camera. But guess what
everyone is doing to the
camera minutes later? We
could cite wannabes who
have been connected or
influenced one way or
another but they
threatened to
sue. Their
loss.
A
native
of Salem,
Massachusetts,
Smig is the Witch
City's composer laureate
(not a difficult achievement,
in all honesty). His first album,
"Music For Sophisticated Schizophrenics"
was noted by Electronic Musician newsletter
as "contemporary music for the bizarre at heart...
[His] electronica and classical works operate in a
style unlike any other."
Other reviews of note:
"Unapologetically
strange and jarring, J. M. Smig’s 'Electronica
Moronica' is a captivating and enigmatic
soundscape of obscure lounge music that
will set your five senses alight...
an electronic and progressive rock
instrumental that isn’t afraid to
dig its claws into your
skull...[It] revels
in its fierce
abstractness."
(Brandon Minia, 24OurMusic)
"'Chamber
Music in the
New World' brings
forth some important
discussions about current
music trends, particularly...
in the realm of modern orchestral
music...a restless compositional philosophy
that will not resonate with listeners expecting
concise, neatly packaged musical content...interesting
musical concepts...undeniably impressive."
(Evan Crandell, 24OurMusic)
Listen or don't.
Download what thou wilt.