The Smoking Flowers

REVIEWS:
“There are not enough words to describe the intrinsic chemistry Kim and Scott Collins possess. The duo, better known as The Smoking Flowers, have discovered what some duos spend their entire careers trying to find: a fascinating marriage between artistic talent and subtle sensuality that pierces the attention of anyone in the same room as them. The Collins' have devoted their entire lives to music, and the second their wild feet touch the stage they exude just how tenured they truly are." ~ The Repertoire

"A duo unafraid to take fascinating, artistic risks... a dark country gem. If what you're after is Americana music given a poetic, punk-rock kick, then look no further than The Smoking Flowers." ~ Maverick Magazine

“Let’s Die Together, the new LP from The Smoking Flowers, is more than about the music... but these songs could blow the roof off of Bridgestone Arena.” ~ No Depression

“Kim and Scott Collins bring a palpable energy to their passionate blend of rock and country that puts them over and above what’s currently out there right now. Fans of roots music are going to go apeshit for this pair.” ~ The Rock and Roll Report

“Let’s Die Together proudly declares that The Smoking Flowers are still here, and they’re kicking more ass than ever before. Instead of just being a talented singer-songwriter duo, they are now something more - true artists who have a confident sound and attitude that comes from years and years of putting everything into their music, flesh and blood and a river of tears that carries it all downstream.” ~ The Vinyl Anachronist

“The Smoking Flowers write inspired songs of substance about life, death, and everything in between. Their albums are consistently outstanding. And, better still, their live shows aren't to be missed. I stand amazed that all that music comes from just two people. Their music drips in their love for each other and their thirsty lust for life.” ~ The Nashville Scene, Skip Anderson

"provocative and risky" ~ POP MATTERS

"Often beautifully ragged; sometimes beautifully haunting; many times beautifully goofy-grinned and/or playful, pleading, or pledging - but always beautiful." ~ Relix

"An edgy Civil Wars... or The White Stripes if Meg sang like a country angel and they lived on a dirt road." ~ Kyle O'Brien (Pitchfork)

"Highly recommended for both rock and country fans, and especially to listeners that enjoy peeling the sheets off last night's scratch marks." ~ The Deli Magazine

“Take The Smoking Flowers whenever you need a boost! It’s obvious they are meant for each other and for music. We are just lucky they are letting us join their wonderful journey together” – The Big Takeover

"A punkish/alt-country/whatever-you-need-it-to-be masterpiece... Kurt Cobain's ratty sweater traded for a CBGB t-shirt and bolo tie." ~ Relix Jambands

“The Smoking Flowers will make a standout addition to your collection. Sure to melt any heart.” ~ Paste Magazine

“Rocks and rolls, leaving an anthemic taste in your mouth.” ~ The Deli Magazine

"As a writer it's gotten to the point where I'm floored when I discover someone with true talent and originality. Kim & Scott Collins are a couple of poets who can express such things in a way you haven't heard before." ~ The Vinyl Anachronist

"Kim and Scott Collins, The Smoking Flowers, carry on the torch where Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris left off in their day, delivering beautifully produced, sometimes moody, songs with knockout harmonies... A marriage of song and voice that is uniquely their own." ~ AltCountry.NL Magazine

"Raw, unpolished, and exciting... a DNA mash up of Presley, Jason and The Scorchers, and Robert Plant, whom, ironically, originally considered Kim for the part now filled by Patti Griffin." ~ Net Rhythms UK

WANNA HEAR THE REST OF THE STORY??
Musically speaking, Kim dances between drums, accordion, acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmonica, shimmering tambourine and her own sensual, simmering vocals. Scott plays electric and acoustic guitar, harmonica, and delivers his vocals with the voice of a feisty, gin-battered, heart-on-sleeve, hardscrabble troubadour.

They have influences that range from Led Zeppelin to Gillian Welch and The Ramones to Neil Young. Kim was ironically considered by one of those very influences when she was up for the female vocalist spot in Robert Plant's "Band of Joy". Unbeknownst to Kim, Mr. Plant had been listening to some of her recordings and loved her voice. But as fate would have it her friend Patti Griffin got the role. "The job was clearly destined for Patti. I mean look at her and Robert now! I do believe in a good love story, after all" says a sighing Kim.

The Smoking Flowers last full length album '2 Guns' was raucously brought into existence in single live recorded takes over about four days. It is a ferocious musical document that eerily proved to be a foreshadowing of a battle the couple was soon to encounter. Kim was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer just after they recorded and mixed '2 Guns', delaying the album's release by two years. Kim's breast cancer is in remission today due to only using holistic and alternative methods and a raw food diet (no chemotherapy, no radiation, no hormones).

In the wake of this experience Kim and Scott took life by the reins and hit the road in their vintage Volvo 240 station wagon, touring across America and Canada for three years straight promoting '2 Guns'. With this life altering experience to draw upon, and three years of intense touring under their belt, the couple tapped even deeper into their raw rock, punk and folk roots in the composition of their newest album 'Let's Die Together'. The undeniable urgency present in these recordings cannot be faked. "Let's Die Together" is a true story of triumph.

The Collins's music and life have been an influence on many "East Nashville" artists, being early pioneers of that now popular underground scene. The Smoking Flowers live shows exemplify the gritty wanderlust of Kim and Scott, while their songs paint a picture of a couple that lives together (married 19 years), writes together, plays together and simply loves life together.