Wayne Bell & Mahoney Harris release debut single ‘Brighter Day’ under moniker Sadsmiles
Wayne Bell and Mahoney Harris have been performing and recording together for the past 15 years. Developing a rapport over time naturally led to the next step; collaboration.
With a healthy collection of fully fledged instrumental tracks recorded at his studio, Bell asked singer/songwriter, Harris to lend her voice and lyrical ideas to the music.
Their debut single, Brighter Day is a bittersweet pop track reminiscent of the shoe gaze soundscapes of the The War on Drugs, punctuated by Harris’s soft but plaintive vocals.
Says Mahoney, “Wayne sent me a fully fleshed out track he’d recorded with some Wayne mumbles sung over the top. I took those mumbles as a starting point and shaped the lyrics. We then recorded the vocals, harmonies and added some enhancements here and there, and voila; one of our first singles was born.”
Adds Wayne, “It’s ultimately a hopeful song as many are on the album. It’s about being in a tough spot but knowing it will pass. You just have to wait it out.”
Sadsmiles’ songwriting dynamic has solidified over time with a growing trust and a more focused direction, culminating in an album of musical musings with subject matter ranging from overcoming dark times, creating safe spaces, human relations in hindsight, and the marvel of the human body.
Wayne Bell is an esteemed member of New Zealand’s music scene, having played drums for Kiwi greats such as Sir Dave Dobbyn, Tim Finn, Bic Runga, Greg Johnson and The Bads to name a few. Wayne has also established himself as a sought after producer and composer for film & television.
Harris has been writing songs since humble beginnings at open mic nights in 90’s NYC. She has a string of folk/pop releases to date, including the EP But They Do, a warmly received debut album We Didn’t Feel Alone along with more recent singles Band In Town, I Don’t Have To Move From Here and Going The Distance (produced by Bell).
Brighter Day is out now and available now on Bandcamp plus all good digital sites to come.
