Constant Smiles formed in Martha’s Vineyard in 2009, led by singer/songwriter Ben Jones, bassist Spike and new member Nora Knight (former Car Seat Headrest) on drums and vocals, the new lineup has turned the band into a true collective. “She has really come in and put her stamp on every song, co-writing and adding her incredibly beautiful vocal harmonies,” Jones says. “Nora, longtime bassist Spike, and I really came together this past year writing as a power trio. With the sound naturally shifting in a more acoustic, folky, and atmospheric pallet.”

“Connection” serves as both a wider introduction of Knight’s role in the band and the new sound that Constant Smiles has been developing over the last year. Admittedly, they struggled with the new song before being able to put it to tape in their Ridgewood, Queens recording space (which they’ve dubbed “The Void”); in particular, the verse melody. Jones reflects: “We played this song out a lot, always tweaking it a little bit every time. The original verse melody had a descending melody and Nora had the idea to reverse it and have it be ascending and that really sealed it in our minds.”

The single, as well as its accompanying music video, celebrates the aforementioned artistic union between Knight and Jones that’s unraveled over the writing, recording, performing, and perhaps most notably, miles traveled together. Their European tour with Flying Nun Records duo Clementine Valentine (FKA Purple Pilgrims) in 2024 cemented a bond between the two collaborators in a way that only a 19-city run peppered with food poisoning and trips to the hospital can.

“Nora has brought on a whole new life and direction for the band,” Jones reiterates. “She really jumped in headfirst and has steered the band’s direction in such a massive and beautiful way. The three of us have become so close over the past two years or so, becoming like siblings. We spent most of the last year on the road and we have created such a shorthand with each other that we instinctively react to each other musically which allows us to write and rework things very fast.”

It’s been a fruitful few years for the band, releasing two records (Paragons in 2021 and Kenneth Anger in 2023), and completing their first-ever European tour last Spring. The band have now returned with single, “Connection, Mixed by Katie Von Schleicher and Mastered by Jonathan Schenke (Parquet Courts, Snail Mail).

Order “Connection” by Constant Smiles, now available via Living Waters Records HERE