New Album: Drew Thomson, SMUG LLC

SMUG LLC is the latest solo project from Drew Thomson, a Canadian musician based in the Greater Toronto Area. Known for fronting acclaimed bands like Single Mothers and The Drew Thomson Foundation, Thomson has earned two prestigious Juno Award nominations and built a respected career as a singer-songwriter. Over the years, he has toured extensively, sharing the stage with notable acts such as Title Fight, Touche Amore, PUP, The Bronx, Quicksand, Dave Hause, Off With Their Heads, and many others. Now, Thomson introduces SMUG LLC with the release of his debut EP, New Exciting Doom, out Friday, October 3 via Anxious and Angry.

With six full-length LPs released on Dine Alone Records and over 20 EPs—either self-released or through labels like Secret Voice, No Sleep Records, and Deathwish Inc.—Drew Thomson had always fronted full bands. But during the pandemic, it felt like that chapter might have come to an end.

“The concept of a ‘laptop band’ was born during those months and years when going out wasn’t really an option and collaboration felt impossible,” says Thomson. With no other creative outlet, he downloaded a free version of Ableton Live and began experimenting. That led to samplers, drum machines, and synthesizers—and the realization that a full band and live experience could live at his fingertips. “The laptop is the instrument. I write all my songs on it. They live there,” he says.

For more information, visit online at anxiousandangry.com/collections/smug