Shelby Smoak is a Washington D.C. area indie-rock artist. His latest project, Bleeder, has incorporated various members. Bleeder’s debut release charted #117 on college radio and was in the Top 20 at over 30 college radio stations. The self-titled release also gained high praise from the media: “2017’s most memorable pieces of musical art” (Band Blurb); “one of the year’s most important releases” (Indie Music Reviews); and “one of the year’s best albums–from anyone” (Gashouse Radio). Bleeder’s current project. The Singles Series, is an ongoing release of video singles and includes singles “Running,” “Stars,” and “Promises,” all recorded at Inner Ear Studio by Don Zientara (Fugazi, Foo Fighters).
Smoak took advantage of the isolation enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic and completed the 5 song EP ‘Crisis,” out July 2021. Smoak performed and recorded all the parts except for drums which were done by Adam Smith.
Smoak is also a writer whose memoir Bleeder (MSU Press 2013), which chronicles his struggles with hemophilia and HIV, started the Bleeder projects. His book received national press attention, garnered him spots on TV and NPR, and won numerous awards, including a “Best of the Best” American Library Association award.
