ABOUT THE SMITH & WESTERN JURY

The Smith and Western Jury are a band that will make you feel like you’ve just been hit by a rolling freight train, full of heartache and happiness. An Alt-Country band from Naarm (Melbourne) with songs that will delight country music fans and convert punk rockers to a genre they never thought they’d consider. Since the band’s debut at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2022, they’ve been nothing but full steam ahead with their debut album ‘Hotel Texas’ (released June 2024) already making a strong impact on the Australian country scene.

Gaining huge support from ABC Country, the album scored ‘Feature Album Of The Week’ in early July and has had heavy support from ‘Saturday Night Country’ with Beccy Cole, ‘Edge Of Country’ and their last two singles premiering on Double J’s ‘Tower Of Song’ with Henry Wagons. Whilst their video clips for ‘Button That Collar’ & ‘Hotel Texas’ have both been added to several programs on CMT Australia. 

“Come and check in at the Hotel Texas/Fill that vacancy/I'm from out of town/But I'll show you around...” 

These are lines found within the confines of the title track of their debut album, ‘Hotel Texas’. The Smith and Western Jury might be a relatively new name to your ears, but when it comes to the members themselves? It's far from their first rodeo. Lead singer Sam Lombardi has been writing and lighting the stage since she was in her early teens, with writing & stage credits in both Australia & the U.S, while guitarist Simon Torcasio has played in numerous punk bands around Melbourne. Supported by their very humble, but heavily experienced rhythm section featuring Aaron Barnett on drums (Ex The Getaway Plan & Deez Nuts) and Kevin Orr on bass (Romeo Moon), The Smith and Western Jury has a live show, not to be missed.

With some impressive shows already under their belt, including two sold-out festivals (Meatstock BBQ Festival, Melbourne and Til The Wheels Fall Off, Launceston), the band will also hit the stage at this years ‘Out On The Weekend’ festival at Seaworks.

Putting everything they had into this first album, the band travelled to Texas last year to work with Country music producer Tommy Detamore. Tracking drums and bass in the leafy Dandenongs of Victoria first, Lombardi and Torcasio then headed overseas to Floresville, Texas to work Detamore (Jim Lauderdale, Jesse Daniel). Amongst blistering Texas heat and southern hospitality, the band laid down lush electric guitar lines and dreamy, heartfelt vocals. With a little help from Detamore on soaring pedal steel and western swing pianist Floyd Domino, (Asleep At The Wheel), the fiery album came to life in the Texas Summer. 

Now, with their debut album 'Hotel Texas' out in the world, The Smith & Western Jury are offering up their version of “country”. Turning heads with their cinematic tunes & howling guitar lines, this album will be responsible for wearing down the needle on your favourite record player.