Smart Artists w/ The Arachnids and Granite Belt

Late last year, Brisbane audiences got their first taste of modern rock band Smart Artists. We caught up with guitarist and lead singer Shannon Beaumont.

This weekend sees the band play the the Clarence Corner Hotel, one they are particularly excited about.

"Absolutely!" Beaumont enthuses. "We haven't played in Brisbane for a while and with an album of new tunes we are busting to get up there to show them off."

"Fans of the band shouldn't be angry that they haven't been hitting the stage too much of late; fact is they have been busy laying down tracks for the new album 'Highway Blonde' which is due out October."

The album title 'Highway Blonde' was born after one of the band was reputedly picked up at a truck stop just south of Byron Bay by none other than Paris Hilton and whisked away to a private party somewhere in the Byron Hinterland.

Beaumont says "The response from the 1st two singles 'Inside Moves' and 'Annie' have been phenomenal. We are so humbled by peoples reactions and the amazing support with radio airplay in around 20 countries, and over 50 stations across the United States".

"Highway Blonde' is laced with themes of love, sex, reparation, salvation, being and nothingness. The album is full of tight, tuneful songs – good time modern rock, pure and simple, the kind that the band hopes will propell them on to many more ipods." adds Beaumont.