Start Listening To: SMILE
SMILE on hypnotic grooves, DIY roots, and the tension between sweetness and noise.
SMILE aren’t interested in fitting into a neatly defined sound. The Cologne-based, German-American band builds on a post-punk foundation but lets it fracture, making room for noise, industrial textures, and hypnotic rhythms. Their latest single, Hot Friend, is a prime example - melding trip-hop’s eerie pulse with their signature intensity. We caught up with the band to talk about the track’s origins, the strange energy of touring, and what’s next for them.
For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from, and about the music you make?
We’re SMILE, a US-German post-punk band based in Cologne. Our sound is fluid. Post-punk is the foundation, but we let it erode, let noise seep in, and always stay open to new influences.
‘Hot Friend’ brings in elements of trip-hop alongside your post-punk roots. What led you in that direction, and how did you develop the track’s hypnotic, industrial groove?
We’ve always been drawn to music that makes people move, so writing songs with that in mind is something that feels natural to us. During night drives on tour, we listened to a lot of trip-hop, its hypnotic mood fitting well with the mesmeric dotted lines of the freeway. Focusing more on groove and mood rather than elaborate riffs or complex song structures. The demo for Hot Friend was initially built by Sebastian on a trip-hop sample, and we leaned fully into that groove, reducing elements bit by bit—playing less to say more. Together, we fine-tuned the parts and sounds, pushing the atmosphere into something darker and harsher, adding tension and energy.
The track was recorded in just one weekend. How did that fast-paced studio environment shape the final version of ‘Hot Friend’?
We knew exactly what we wanted from this track and where it should take us before hitting the studio. That made the whole session focused and enjoyable. Our producers, Phillip and Julian, created a homely and open atmosphere where we could experiment with feedback guitars, noise elements, and additional percussion. Those spontaneous takes added a lot to the overall feel of the song.
You’ve described the song as a response to the “long nights on tour.” How does the touring lifestyle impact your creative process?
Being on tour feels like being outside looking in. There’s a strange mix of detachment from everyday life and, at the same time, getting caught up in a vortex of intense euphoria and boredom. We meet a lot of people who are deeply passionate about music and love sharing their favorite records with us. Also, traveling in the van together means we’re constantly exchanging music. Touring is like a sponge, soaking up inspiration that later finds its way into new songs once we’re back home.
Your debut album, ‘Price of Progress,’ leaned heavily into post-punk gloom. Would you say ‘Hot Friend’ marks a new sonic chapter for SMILE?
There’s definitely some old skin we’re shedding, but from the beginning, we’ve embraced openness to different sounds and themes. We’ll keep incorporating and distorting anything that interests us into our sound.
SMILE has shared stages with Fontaines D.C., Squid, and Psychotic Monks. What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned from playing with bands like that?
The level of professionalism these bands bring is inspiring. Whether it’s a large crew like Fontaines or a smaller support team, they approach every show as if it’s the most important one they’ve ever played. Sometimes, it’s the unspoken things you pick up on, and only later do you realize—ah, that’s where we learned that from.
Your music blends harsh, caustic elements with something more hypnotic and sensual. Do you consciously try to balance those extremes, or does it come naturally?
We don't balance it, we surrender to it. Sweetness and violence, the push and pull of something just out of reach. We love music that’s candy-coated but has an icy undercurrent that makes you feel uneasy. That contrast has always fascinated us.
There’s a strong visual and atmospheric component to SMILE’s music. How important is aesthetic and mood when crafting a song?
Mood is an ideal starting point for making music. Even if the final result doesn’t match the initial intention, it gives us direction and prevents us from getting lost in the process. Many of our songs started from cue words that Rubee gave us, which helped guide the creative flow.
You’ve got a packed tour schedule across Europe. Do you have a particular city or venue you’re most excited to play?
We love playing in cities we already know, but we’re also excited about discovering new ones. Every place brings something different, and that’s what makes touring so special.
As a German-American band, do you feel that mix of backgrounds influences your sound or approach to music in any way?
We have a lot of shared musical influences—that’s what brought us together in the first place. When Rubee moved to Germany from the US, she was alone and didn’t know anyone, so she sought out the music scene, the one place that always feels like home. That’s how we all met, going to the same shows and seeing bands like Protomartyr, Preoccupations, and Ought. Although there are geographical differences, the DIY music scene feels surprisingly consistent everywhere—you find people who need music to survive, people who reject or were rejected. We all come from working-class backgrounds, and that sense of self-reliance drew us to DIY culture early on. None of us are professionally trained on our instruments, so our approach is raw and instinctive. We play by ear, by gut. That shared mentality shapes everything we do, from how we write songs to how we navigate the world around us. It gives us freedom to experiment, and everyone’s personal musical obsessions naturally feed into our sound.
Your label, Siluh Records, has a reputation for pushing boundary-pushing artists. How did you come to work with them, and what drew you to their roster?
We feel completely at home with Siluh. It’s a family-like environment where the love for music is the absolute priority, without trying to turn it into just a business thing. We share a love for DIY culture, and his diverse and entertaining roster made it easy for us to work with him.
What do you love right now?
The friendships that shape our band, both within and beyond the music. Being surrounded by people who inspire and challenge us constantly is something we deeply appreciate. The ability to evolve, discover new influences, and push ourselves creatively keeps everything exciting and alive.
What do you hate right now?
The political situation is dire, racism in all its forms is prevalent, we need radicalization and a strong left to counteract these issues.
Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you.
Seb: Deerhunter – Microcastle
Max: Charles Bronsen - Youth Attack!
Lars: Ela Orleans - Lost
Rubee: Gorillaz— Gorillaz
Marius: liars - they threw us all in a trench and stuck a monument on top
What’s next for SMILE? Are there more tracks in the works, or is this a standalone single for now?
Hot Friend stands alone for now, but it perfectly represents where we are as a band. We’re proud of it, but also looking forward to writing more material for our next record. We’ll probably hit the studio in autumn.
