Photo credit: Christian Napolitano

At a recent show with The Ongoing Concept, I don’t think the RadioU dominant crowd quite knew what to expect from Hotel Books. People consequently had their minds blown by the passion exhibited onstage by lead vocalist/poet Cam Smith. Hotel Books operates not on passion alone but in some subtle intracies within the music itself and a tight rhythm section.

Hotel Books are making waves as a signee of InVogue Records, and will be playing Audiofeed Festival. Sadly, this won’t be on the stage that all of the Humble Beast roster is on, but they’ll be giving a dose of poetry to the hardcore kids over on the Black Sheep stage. Right between Wolves at the Gate and Conveyer.

The band recently released a record titled Run Wild, Stay Alive. Cam Smith took some valuable time on tour to answer our Audiofeed Q&A – read it below. Right now the band is on the road with Hearts Like Lions and XXI.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gBSWDkEsuE[/youtube]

Tuned Up: Who would play your ideal festival and where would it be?

Cam Smith: This goes two routes: Modest Mouse, Weezer, Cake, Nada Surf. (or) Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples, Joey Bada$$, and Frank Ocean. radio rap is where it’s at for outdoor festivals. Somewhere in California.

What is your favorite music released this year thus far? What are you looking forward to?

The debut Zealyn EP “Limbic System” is amazing, the new Until We Are Ghosts LP is amazing too. I’m looking forward to some new Levi the Poet (if that actually happens) and some new Flatsound. That new Paul Simon seemed interesting.

What summer movie are you most looking forward to?

I don’t really have one right now, which is rare for me. I’m a sucker for the blockbuster comedies so maybe Central Intelligence, but my movie of the year was 10 Cloverfield Lane and it did not disappoint. Now that I’ve seen that, I’m just sitting and waiting for a new JJ Abrams Star Trek film.

Assume I know NOTHING about your band. In one sentence, why should I listen to you?

Because we play songs that mean more to us than we could have ever imagined.

Who on the Audiofeed lineup are you most stoked about this year and why?

Watching Levi the Poet is humbling, it knocks me down a few pegs. Beautiful Eulogy, Emery, and Household. Chris Bernstorf is the best stage energy in the history of the world. I want to see the Huntingtons really bad, their standards record is constantly spinning in my car. Many Rooms is beautiful, I want to do a split with her, or propose to her, if that’s allowed. I’ve never met her, but I want to. (have I made this weird?). [Editor’s note: taken by a certain Isaac G. Sorry dawg]

If your band had a mission statement, what would it say?

Just do it, Nike.

What band from your area do more people need to hear? That most Audiofeed attendees (and beyond) would not have heard of.

Korn. hahaha. Dependence, for sure. They’re from Fresno, CA. Sweet indie hardcore. Also, Korn.

What song do you hear and you immediately think “Summer!”?

California Girls by Katy Perry or California Girls by The Beach Boys. Actually, anything from the Beach Boys. Jogging down the beach with a slow ballad by Elton John on a warm summer night, while holding a road flair in one hand, pretending like you’re in the high point of a romantic comedy is something really special too. Also, if you have the budget, listening to any song while picnicking on the beach with Mark Ruffalo feels very summer, regardless of song.

What is something you’ve been learning on your life or faith journey lately?

I’ve learned that life is too short to focus on what I cannot control. We have a God far stronger than us, yet we still tell God how to do God’s job. It’s a shame.