Erin Smith In The News
onmauimag

“Erin Smith is a rare phenomenon. “American Boy” is subtly saturated with dashes of early No Doubt, The Sundays, Adele and Paramore. The addictive, rub-a-dub style “Love Long Distance” features a rap by Illis It. Angry, triumphant, growling, vulnerable, angelic and ebullient, Erin Smith dares to dabble in the full range of her potential, demonstrating once again that she is a force to be reckoned with.”

– Marnie Masuda, On Maui Magazine, Nov 2014

star

“Already a well-known entity in the local Alternative scene in Honolulu as the lead singer of the Throwdowns, Erin Smith’s debut solo album delivers a definitive smash with “Love Long Distance.” We believe this track’s truly unique sound has what it takes to travel far across the Pacific and become a national hit at Alternative.”

– Jamie Hyatt, Program Director for Star 101.9

frolic

“She’s been called a “vocal powerhouse,” a “fashion ambassador of rock & roll” and compared to Gwen Stefani more times than she can count. Now Erin Smith, former frontwoman of Maui band The Throwdowns, is making a splash with her new solo album, “American Boy.” We got a chance to hang out with Erin at the Oceanic VIP Music Hall (formerly the Roadrunner Music Hall) to watch her band perform a set that was broadcast live on Star 101.9.”

– Tracy Chan, Frolic Hawaii June 2014

midweek

“Ex-Throwdowns member Erin Smith and her gigantic voice return with an album worthy of her larger-than-life personality.  (Single) Love Long Distance was released a couple of months ago and has since garnered heavy radio airplay on Star 101.9’s music charts. But the rest of the album is vintage Smith – layered with an indie rock vibe and poppy choruses best represented on tracks such as Blind Leading the Blind and Chances, and highlighted by her powerful vocals, which sound even bigger and better than during her Throwdown days.”

– Bill Mossman, MidWeek June 2015

staradvertiser

“Smith has described the album’s sound as “Yeah Yeah Yeahs meets Adele meets Lana Del Rey,” but in live performance, this group has its own sound, headed up by the brassy, flirty, big-voiced bandleader.  The music is an attractive and uplifting blend of rock and pop, with indie attitude and a touch of reggae, blues and hip-hop.”

– Elizabeth Kieszkowski, Honolulu Star Advertiser, June 2015

metro

“The singer/songwriter/guitarist’s latest album, American Boy, released in early June, is taking her music career to new heights — namely becoming the first Hawaii artist to land a position in the new music charts at Honolulu’s mainstream alternative station, Star 101.9.”

– Roger Bong, Metro HNL, June August 2014