With the release of their new CD "Tell the Rising Sun" (2005), Straw Dogs continue to draw impressive comparisons: the rock and groove of Counting Crows and Ryan Adams, melody and harmony of CSN and Indigo Girls, and songwriting that demonstrates an allegiance to the craft.

And listeners to The Mountain, 103.7 FM (Seattle) agree! "Troubles Down" is now getting airplay on The Mountain's Sunday Brunch. Numerous internet radio stations are also broadcasting the new CD, including Live365, CelticRadio, Buzz Music, GarageRadio, and altcountry.nl, where the new record was in the "Top 5" for August 2005.

Also, Straw Dogs were selected as a showcase artist for MusicFest NW in Portland, Oregon in September 2005, and "Amelia" will be on X-It Rite Records' Java with Javelyn compilation CD.

What’s the trick to mixing the old with the new? Not an easy question, for sure. But the artist who pulls it off, who can conjure that mystical combination of tone and style from the greats – the simple, straight rebellion of Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, the twist of phrase of Dylan and Prine – with the biggest, freshest melodic sounds of today.

Darren Smith has found the hard-to-find, the sweet mix of the timeless and the latest, on his new solo record, Last Drive. A longtime member of the Seattle band Straw Dogs, Smith has put together a collection of 11 amazing story songs of his own.