Australian singer/songwriter Steve Smyth blends a variety of influences into his earthy, soulful sound, from the barroom grit of Tom Waits to the wistful melancholia of Jeff Buckley. He issued his debut album, Release, in 2011, after which he traveled Europe, acting on his wanderlust, touring, working, and writing songs for his follow-up. After signing with Australian indie Ivy League Records, Smyth traveled to Los Angeles to record his second album with a well-seasoned rhythm section featuring Joey Waronker (Beck, Atoms for Peace) on drums and Gus Seyffert (Norah Jones, the Black Keys) on bass. The album Exits was released in the summer of 2014. ~ Timothy Monger