Article by Urvija Banerji Photo by Charlie Baker
At an intimate show at Rockwood Music Hall earlier this week, Damon Smith unfurled a curious, contemplative and at times astounding catalog of music.
Smith plays with his brother Brendan in the eclectic indie band The Brightmares, whose sound closely resembles that of his eponymous solo project. The music is quiet at times and breathtakingly energetic at others, showcasing weird, twisty songwriting — and Smith’s virtuosic talent at the piano.
On Tuesday night, Smith played songs over a decade old, as well as unreleased tracks off an upcoming album. He opened the set with recent single “Tightrope,” an eerie, circus-inspired tune with unsettling carnival imagery to match. In the hands of a less adept songwriter, it could come across as corny, but under Smith’s capable direction, it’s a wistful, nostalgic ballad with surprising flourishes.
On Instagram, Smith has gained traction with his man-and-a-piano covers of The Beatles, Radiohead, and more. In performance, his original songs benefit from a full band, who have been playing together since they attended LaGuardia High School together. At full tilt, the band veers into prog rock territory, settling into a groove and stretching it as far as it will go. Drummer Andres Valbuena — who has also played for Linda Diaz and The Lemon Twigs — is a particular standout, anchoring each song with flawless precision.
That being said, Smith is at his most potent when he plays solo, as he did for a handful of songs at the end of his set. It’s no wonder that Instagram loves him: at the piano, Smith is a force to be reckoned with.
