Impossible Blue 600 Polaroid
DRALMS A native to the Vancouver music scene, Christopher Smith is a creative force working in the parallel lanes of music and art. Originating as a solo artist, Smith teamed up with Shaunn Thomas Watt, Peter Carruthers, and Will Kendrick to form the musical project that is Dralms. Once quoted as saying the naming process was similar to “writing a grocery list on acid,” Smith now says that description was meant to convey just how deep one can get in choosing project monikers. “You have this feeling you want to express, but
“I find a kind of charm in mixing bits of vulgarity in with sweetness—there’s something romantic about it to me.” you get caught up in all these random details,” he says. “I wanted an emotive word—one without any literal attachments.” With that single word, Smith identifies his aspirations and goals for the band that translated into their debut album, Shook. “I like the idea of contrast between lyrics and sound; I like the way it feels hearing certain words mixed with certain melodies,” he continues. “I find a kind of charm in mixing bits of vulgarity in with sweetness—there’s something romantic about it to me. I want to include human mess and grit in the conversation of love, in a respectful way.” Songwriting has been Smith’s medium of expression for a long time. His interest in visual art, design, sculpture, and installation is fed through the creative direction of his music videos and album covers. Smith’s background in visual art is expressed through his wonderful Instagram account for Dralms. “I like to keep the Dralms account a little under-curated; it’s more about stimulation,” he says. “I’m drawn to images that have a certain kind of indescribable emotive quality.” He emphasizes the importance of individual connection in everything he does. When asked what the most important thing people should gauge from his songs is, Smith says that he “would never want to tell someone that. There’s no ‘should’—I can only hope that people draw something personal to themselves from my songs.”
-
31
-