Fresh Heir (Father & Son)

I’m so excited! A few months ago my husband Zach and our son Skye posed together for a photo shoot for Riviera Magazine. I love the photo that they chose to run. Skye was yelling and dancing around while Zach stood smugly behind him. Always his cool, relaxed self.

Armistead Burrwell Smith IV, aka Zach, and son Skye at Essex Lofts. Photo by Robert Benson

Fresh Heir

by AnnaMaria Stephens |Riviera San Diego Magazine | October 25, 2012

Like father, like son. It may be a cliché, but it’s definitely accurate when it comes to local musician Zach Smith, whose band, Pinback, just released its long-awaited new album, Information Retrieved. Artistry is simply in the Smith genes.

Zach, aka Armistead Burwell IV, lives and works in Little Italy’s acclaimed mixed-use Essex Lofts, which subtly resemble an aircraft carrier and always have a waitlist. The architect? Zach’s father, urban-design pioneer Ted Smith, who resides three doors down from his son.

“I can’t imagine living in a building that wasn’t designed by my dad,” says Zach. “I’d feel out of place. There is so much I admire about his architecture. I wouldn’t be who I am without it and it’s had a major influence on the music I create.”

A fixture in S.D.’s music scene for two decades, Zach, a prodigious bass player, catapulted from indie to international acclaim with Pinback. Five years have passed since the last album, but he has a good excuse.

Along with producing other bands out of his home studio, he released his first full-length solo album as Systems Officer and reformed his cult-followed ’90s band Three Mile Pilot, which also put out a new album and toured the West Coast, with a European tour coming up this fall. “And I had my now 2-year-old son, Skye,” he adds.

That would be Skye Burwell Smith—the spitting image of his father. “He has a knack for music and constantly wants to play the drums, piano and my guitars,” says Zach of his fashionable mini-me, who runs around the family’s concrete compound in a rocker-cool denim vest while his stylist mom perfects pork buns. The pair sometimes wander down to Ted’s jam sessions, where the third generation shows off his pint-size dance moves. “Skye fits right in,” says Zach. “It’s a great thing to share music with your grandpa.”

Smith’s Hots 
Mongolian hot pots at Little Sheep, Tofu House, K’s bánh mì sandwiches in Kearny Mesa, the Chargers, my wife’s cooking

Smith’s Nots 
Chick-fil-A, the Raiders, my cooking

Denim Vest

My mom just made Skye the cutest denim vest with customized patches from Zach’s band t-shirts.  I ordered teeny-tiny versions when I was pregnant. This is such a great way to give a second life to something and Skye looks so cute in it!

She even made a couple for a friends son and daughter, but I’m just going to give a sneak peak so I don’t ruin the surprise.

Pinback, ‘Proceed to Memory’ | Music News | Rolling Stone

I don’t write too much about my husband Zach. I mention him occasionally when I write about Skye or when I am working on a house project (which he endlessly endures). He is an amazing husband and father, but he is an especially amazing musician. His new album is coming out October 16th and Rolling Stone just premiered a new single on their website. I’ve gone back to listen to it a few times and I really really like it. Skye likes it too!  I don’t get to listen to Zach’s music a lot at home which kind of stinks because I’m a total fan, but I don’t think he likes listening to himself all the time. Good thing he just left for a mini tour with his old band so Skye and  I can listen to this song over and over.

Have a listen and enjoy!

Song Premiere: Pinback, ‘Proceed to Memory’ | Music News | Rolling Stone.