iSound

“Songs inspire me, and I guess that’s why I write them – to inspire other people,” says the singer, guitarist and founder of raw rockers NYCSmoke. “I’ve been inspired to write music, but it could make other people want to paint a painting, talk to a friend, or just get someone through another three minutes of their life.”

It’s that kind of unshakeable belief – that great songs can lead to great things, and even save lives – that drives NYCSmoke’s passionate new album, Hearts and Stones. The latest chapter in Statland’s prolific career, the CD is 11 songs of sharply crafted messages, naked aggression, soulful rock singing, longing, guitars and more guitars. Each track reveals a new side of the young NYC warrior, who sees this latest work as a major development in his intensive study of songwriting.


Hearts and Stones is the follow-up to NYCSmoke’s well-received debut, For the Posers. The band toured extensively across the US at venues such as the Bowe...