Syracuse-based sibling duo Matthew and Scott Smith of Astronaut Aardvark Attack’s new resonant single, “Monster,” previews a new taste of music ahead of their new album in April.
Astronaut Aardvark Attack originates from an annual challenge hosted by NPR titled the Record Production Month (RPM) Challenge. Since February 2006, NPR challenges small artists to push themselves to create a full record in “the longest month of the year!,” Scott exclaims. Since 2014, Astronaut Aardvark Attack has participated in the challenge three times, one of them including a solo venture by Scott. The duo notes that the upcoming album will feature all original work with varying themes, some dating back to 2014. Political commentary on immigration, policy, and a little bit of love can be anticipated for the new album, because “everyone has some love songs,” said Scott.
“Monster” is primarily produced by Scott, with features of Matthew on the guitar. For this single, the lyrical development took time, says Scott. “The whole song originally started by me just goofing around with the synth on the keyboard, and I spent a couple of weekends building off of that,” Scott said. “I wrote these lyrics and didn’t really like them, thinking that I’d come up with something better. A month later, I woke up in the middle of the night and had an idea, and that was what the discussion was in the middle of the song.”
The single focuses on audio clips from varying PhD professors and congressmen, discussing topics of nuclear war and common authority, to which the duo says was the goal. The prevalence of such a fearful situation along with the extent that the executive branch holds to declare such disasters is “very strange,” notes Scott. “I didn’t want to be overtly political,” said Scott, “but I wanted to make a certain statement about it.” The commentary in the song “just fits,” said Michael, who was presented with the audio clips by Scott.
Contrary to popular belief, the sibling duo have avoided arguments for the past decade. “I don’t think we’ve ever fought… have we?,” asks Matthew, to which Scott says they haven’t. Part of this comes from genuinity, where the duo only has nice things to say about each other. “Matthew “keeps me honed,” said Scott. Meanwhile, Matthew says he’s a better artist when the duo works together. “[Scott’s] got the passion, I got my brother,” said Matthew. “I guess we just click.”
However, an aspect of Astronaut Aardvark Attack’s ability to work well together comes from passion, or “compulsion,” as Scott said. Participating in cover bands around Central New York maintains musical strength for Scott, but his strong suit is song writing. “I don’t know what else I could do,” said Scott. “I have tons of hobbies, but none I like more than music.” Out of anyone he could choose or think of, his brother Matthew is the most ideal person to write with. “I would like to write music with no one else more than Matthew,” said Scott. “I don’t need him there, but I just prefer to have him around,” said Scott. Despite their arguably unusual kindness towards their sibling, they still like to tease each other from time to time.
The future of Astronaut Aardvark Attack is bright, as the brothers continue to balance and incorporate music into their lives. The duo’s innate love for music fuels their drive to push, though RPM Challenges are a thing of the past for the pair. “This is mostly a hobby for us,” says Scott. “We’re around, we’re releasing music, but we both have regular full-time jobs. We’re doing this because we love this.”
Listen to Astronaut Aardvark Attack’s single, “Monster,” here. For more information, visit here.
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