For over a decade, the Chicago-via-Cincinnati band Smut has been refining their sharp brand of guitar pop, one capacious enough to absorb inputs from multiple eras of alternative rock and churn them into a hooky stew. Their third album, Tomorrow Comes Crashing, which was made with a new rhythm section composed of drummer Aidan O’Connor and bassist John Steiner, rocks really hard without sacrificing any of the pop chops the band developed on their previous record. This is a band that has put in the time, both on the road and in the studio, and it shows in the songs.
I caught up with vocalist and lyricist Tay Roebuck—who makes up the band along with O’Connor, Steiner, and the guitarists Andie Min and Sam Ruschman—and asked her about the new record plus a lot more. Since the band is from Cincinnati, you know I had to pop the Skyline Chili question. Give it a read and listen to Tomorrow Comes Crashing below.
What did you learn on your last album that you applied to the writing and recording of this new one? What excites you the most about this new record?
Tay Roebuck: How the Light Felt was an album about processing grief, so it felt really different going into an album that wasn’t so tender or raw. We also had a whole new rhythm section that allowed us to write with a full band as opposed to mostly acoustic guitar writing sessions on the previous album. We felt a lot of freedom this time around to have fun with the process.
What is “Syd Sweeney” about?
"Syd Sweeney" is about being a woman who creates, and how we have to curate ourselves and sell ourselves in ways men don’t have to. Then when we bend ourselves to be sellable, we put ourselves on the chopping block for people to tear down our talent and the way we look, dress, and act. Opening yourself to that kind of judgement is a really weird aspect of being a musician or entertainer and it can be horrifying.
Being a band in 2025 comes with its challenges. What is one thing you think is great about being a contemporary rock and roll band, versus, say, being a band 30 years ago?
I honestly don't know what is better about being a rock band today versus any time in the past, ha ha. Maybe people say there’s a new ease with making music but I don’t necessarily think making music easier is better. There’s something to be said for the effort that goes into making your art. Also streaming making it accessible to find [music] is a double edged sword because you now compete with every band on earth for playlisting slots that don’t guarantee money or attention. Sam was reading and explaining the book Mood Machine to us on the road, which explains it a lot of it better than I can.
You blew out all of your vocals by the end of recording your new record. Do you have any tips for vocalists on how to deal with vocal stress?
I absolutely have no advice. I don’t know proper technique. I guess I’d say drink a lot of honey and do vocal warmups before every show to alleviate and shorten recovery time? Someday I will learn and share my knowledge.
Sometimes the best shows happen with a small crowd. Do you have any memorable sets playing to a tiny audience?
I think playing small venues and small crowds kind of gives us something to prove, we usually go kind of harder at those shows. We’ve played to crowds where the only other audience is the band we are playing with, and we use those opportunities to try new things and have fun.
What’s an underrated 90s rock record and why?
Automatic for the People by R.E.M. People don’t really talk about that band when they talk about influential 90s rock but they made amazing music and Michael Stipe is a lyrical wizard.
Could you talk a bit about the scene in Cincinnati right now? Who are some of your favorite local bands?
We have lived in Chicago for 5 years so we’ve kind of lost touch with what’s getting started in Cincinnati these days. We are great friends with The Ophelias that are based partially in Cincinnati. "Salome" is a song of the year for us.
Finally, and you know I had to ask: What’s your take on Skyline Chilli? Do you like it? Are there other Cincinnati-style chili places you prefer?
We are Skyline heads, for sure. At least me, Andie, and Sam are. We are trying to convert Aidan and John but they have different regional palettes than us. I like a chili cheese fry but also can get down with a coney.
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