LONER (BalconyTV)

http://www.balconytv.co.uk 20/05/2009
PRESENTED BY LAYLA ANNA-LEE

The great-nephew of seven organ-playing sisters, Geoff Smith has inherited a gift for playing keyboards and developed his gift into music that transports and transcends the every day; a gift that embraces memorable, shivery melody that lace both glinting dance/pop songs and haunted ballads; a gift that has bewitched not only his great-aunts but also Bomb The Bass, Dot Allison, Sinead OConnor, American TV soundtrack experts and music fans who claim his gift has helped save their sanity / souls / lives (delete where applicable). But with the second album, both recorded under the name Loner, its time that his gift comes not via collaborators, extended families or fans but just himself. After all, the Loner is identified by his independent status. Its a joke name that stuck, he explains, due to working alone, in his bedroom with laptop and keyboard for company, and a friend telling him you should just call yourself Loner cos you never bloody go out any more You might be reminded by mid-80s Talk Talk, LCD Soundsystems tender side, or more recent work by the late Matthew Jay. Other helpful clues to Loners ID are Thief Like Me, the song he co-wrote with Dot Allison that became the lead single from her 2007 psych-folk album Exaltation Of Larks. Walking Sohos neon-soaked streets, very late at night - alone of course is yet another clue.

Check out Loner's myspace and website,

http://www.myspace.com/loneruk

http://www.justmusic.co.uk

Tune in again tomorrow!