NEW-ISH SEATTLE BAND HITS THE NEW FRONTIER FRIDAY >>>

Tomorrow night, Seattle's Smile For Diamonds will plug in at The New Frontier Lounge with the venerable Deborah Page. Sure, Tacoma knows Deborah Page - but what's up with Smile For Diamonds, self described as "loud and erratic" - an fledgling indie rock force coming from the north but born in the thin air of Denver (kinda - you'll see ...)?

Well, you should find out. Not only will Smile For Diamonds be bringing their well-honed road show to Tacoma Friday, they'll be back this summer, set to play the Weekly Volcano sponsored Grit City Fest.

It should be awesome.

This week I caught up with Ryan Looman, the band's ringleader, to get the lowdown on Smile For Diamonds. Enjoy.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Seeing as you've only been together since the summer of '09, and it sounds like you all come from different backgrounds - why don't you start by telling folks who you are and how you got here (as a band, of course).

RYAN LOOMAN: Technically SFD started in February of last year. I was in a band called Fallen Stars Forgotten from Denver and after we broke up I planned a road trip to Seattle with my long-time friend and drummer Ian Murray. Four months later I moved out here and friends Pat Scanlan (Guitar) and Zack Morwicki (Bass) moved out the following year. We started playing shows using a laptop as our drummer until Ian made it out here in July. Zack left the band in September to go back to school and we we're lucky enough to have Mike Walker take his place.

VOLCANO: You may be somewhat new, but it's not like you don't have a record. You guys digitally released a self-titled EP earlier this year (boom!). Is that record physically available yet?

LOOMAN: Yes it is! We released it last week so you can get it at our shows, on cdbaby.com, Tyrannosaurus Records or at Easy Street Records

VOLCANO: It was recorded at Orbit in Seattle. Now that you've had at least a few months to look back at it are you pleased with the record? Does it capture the essence of the band?

LOOMAN: We couldn't be happier with the EP. For doing everything ourselves - from the producing, to the artwork, to the actual music - we did a pretty good job, and we hope it gets some attention. It's hard to be taken seriously without a physical release and so now we can really get things going.

VOLCANO: That said, does it still capture the essence of what you guys are about, or have you evolved since then? I know it's only been a matter of months, but sometimes - with young bands especially - six months makes a major difference. What are your thoughts, guy actually IN a band?

LOOMAN: You're right. A lot can change in six months and it has. The five songs on that EP hit home for us and we still love playing them. Since the recording we've become really good friends and we're honing in on what we do best. We all like all different types of music, but all know we want to be heavy and complex. Our lyrics are important to us, and so is surprising the audience. I've been taking singing lessons and everyone is now contributing to the vocals. In the Northwest you have to try extra hard to push the envelope. I believe our songs will stand out soon enough.

We are very excited about our new material but we will always be proud of our first self-released EP.

VOLCANO: You're playing The New Frontier Lounge Friday. What are you expecting from Tacoma? Does this seem like the kind of town that will be receptive to what you guys do?

LOOMAN: I hope so. We love Washington. We could tour this state the rest of our lives and be very happy. One of our favorite bands Botch is from Tacoma. If it's really the Grit City then we should fit in just fine. It's is one of the only places we haven't been yet and we can't wait.

VOLCANO: You're also coming back for Grit City Fest, which should be totally awesome (full disclosure: The Weekly Volcano is a sponsor of Grit City Fest, because it's going to be TOTALLY AWESOME.) Anyway, how do you get involved and what are your thoughts on Grit City Fest? The lineup is looking pretty solid. ...

LOOMAN: I noticed a few bands that we like we're playing the fest like Daniel G Harmann, Shotty and Neema so I tracked down the people in charge. A week later we got added to the line up for what should be the best weekend of the summer.

VOLCANO: What can people expect from Smile For Diamonds in the not-so-distant future?

LOOMAN: Shows, touring, shows, some new recordings and some more shows. All four of us moved to the Northwest to do this and we want to show people why.

[The New Frontier Lounge, Friday, with Deborah Page and The Dirty Changeup, 9 p.m., 301 E. 25^th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]