Hotel Books

Cam Smith (Hotel Books)
Cam Smith of Hotel Books in 2014.
Background information
Birth name Cameron Michael Smith
Born February 16, 1993
Origin Porterville, California, US
Genres Spoken word, emo, post-hardcore, indie rock, ambient
Occupation(s) Musician, spoken-word poet
Instruments Vocals, spoken word, sampling
Years active 2011–present
Labels InVogue Records, Dream Atlantic Records, Hassle Records
Associated acts Camp Hope

Hotel Books, is an American emo/spoken-word project from Porterville, CA revolving around the poetry of Cam Smith (born February 16, 1993). Hotel Books is a Christian band. The project is often presented on tour as a full band, but has also been shown as a solo project of Cam Smith. They are known for Smith's unique vocal style, which is often the central focus of their work.

History

Hotel Books began in 2011. After the release of "Call Me Human," many demos were released online, which ultimately became "Everything We Could Have Done Differently." After extensive touring in the US and overseas, the band signed to InVogue Records, in which they released a double-packaged EP, "I'm Almost Happy Here," as well two full band records, "Run Wild, Young Beauty," and "Run Wild, Stay Alive."

The band's InVogue Records debut, "I'm Almost Happy Here, But I Never Feel at Home" was released July 1, 2014 via InVogue Records. The album received mostly positive reviews, as well as earning the band their first Billboard chartings, No. 9 on Alternative New Artists and No. 20 on Heatseekers, for the album's debut week.[1] Their next effort, "Run Wild, Young Beauty," was released on April 7, 2015, and spent three total weeks on the Billboard charts.

In 2016, Hotel Books released their second long-player "Run Wild, Stay Alive" to negative and mixed reviews. The album focused more on the rock elements and traditional song structure.

In October of 2017, Hotel Books released "Equivalency" via InVogue Records to critical acclaim.

Hotel Books has toured USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia, playing with a variety of notable acts, including Defeater, Counterparts, and Title Fight.[2]

Discography

Hotel Books discography
Studio albums 3
Compilation albums 1
Music videos 9
EPs 3
Singles 3


Year Title Label Chart positions[3]
Billboard Christian US Indie Billboard New Alternative US Heat
2012 Everything We Could Have Done Differently (demo compilation) Independent - - - -
2014 I'm Almost Happy Here, But I Never Feel at Home (double EP) InVogue Records 9 - 20 11
2015 Run Wild, Young Beauty - 87 7 29
2016 Run Wild, Stay Alive - 12 - 9
2017 Equivalency 7 9 - 11

Other Appearances

Style and influence

Hotel Books has been predominantly recognized for Cam Smith's spoken-word vocal style. According to an interview with OurVinyl, Smith cited Aaron Weiss of mewithoutYou and Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse as his favorite lyricists.

Musically, Hotel Books has been referred to as emo.[4] [5] [6] Cam Smith has stated that he does not see the band as real emo, but understands the constant connection people make. According to Smith, "music is music. If genres are necessary, we usually like saying we are ambient rock." Smith has listed The Click Five as a main influence in many interviews. The Click Five is also the only artist thanked in all three Hotel Books releases.

References

  1. ↑ "Billboard Heatseekers Chart 7/1/2014". Billboard Charts.
  2. ↑ "IndieVisionMusic Interviews Hotel Books". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  3. ↑ http://www.billboard.biz
  4. ↑ "Sputnik Profile, Hotel Books".
  5. ↑ Emo Subreddit. "Reddit.com".
  6. ↑ "New Noise Magazine Reviews Hotel Books "Run Wild, Young Beauty"".
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