Richie Kotzen and Adrian Smith, the principals of the rock duo SMITH/KOTZEN, recently sat down for an interview with frontman and professional wrestler Chris Jericho following their acoustic performance at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on March 5. The two musicians discussed the origins of their collaboration, their shared musical influences, and the creative process behind their upcoming second album, “Black Light/White Noise,” set for release on April 4. Kotzen revealed that his wife played a crucial role in reconnecting him with Smith’s music, which eventually led to their friendship and musical partnership.
The two began jamming together at Kotzen’s house in Los Angeles, playing covers of bands like BAD COMPANY for fun. Kotzen’s wife suggested they start writing together, and the duo discovered that their unusual combination worked well, with the writing process flowing easily between them. Both Kotzen and Smith share a love for the music they grew up with in the 1970s, citing influences such as DEEP PURPLE, BAD COMPANY, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Paul Rodgers, and Rod Stewart.
Kotzen also mentioned his appreciation for jazz/fusion, having played with Stanley Clarke and being a fan of George Benson, whom he considers the greatest guitar player ever.
Black Light origins and collaboration
On the other hand, Smith discovered IRON MAIDEN at a young age, which had a significant impact on him.
When asked about sharing the spotlight with another guitarist, Kotzen emphasized the importance of supporting the singer and the melody, adopting a philosophy of listening and responding to create a “creative conversation” on stage. He noted that while his experience playing in a trio allows for more improvisation, SMITH/KOTZEN’s music has more structure, with the two guitarists working out parts together to complement each other’s playing. Smith and Kotzen also discussed the differences in their recording processes, with IRON MAIDEN recording live in the studio without rehearsals, while SMITH/KOTZEN builds their songs from scratch, starting with demos and working at their own pace without a producer.
The duo initially wrote six songs for the new album two years ago, then took a break before returning to complete the record, ensuring they had a diverse range of tracks. When asked about their expectations for the project, both Smith and Kotzen emphasized their focus on the satisfaction of creating music they enjoy, rather than analyzing external factors like audience size or reception. They expressed their dedication to making music they love and ensuring they are prepared for any performances that come their way.
SMITH/KOTZEN’s second album, “Black Light/White Noise,” promises to showcase the duo’s prodigious talents as songwriters, musicians, and vocalists, featuring a magnificent collection of songs that stand shoulder to shoulder with some of their finest work to date.
Photo by; Austin Neill on Unsplash
