Community Picks is a weekly series where artists submit a release to be voted on by members of the Nina community. Once a week, the release with the most votes will receive editorial coverage. This week’s winner is “#1 Record” by Talking with Hands, a taut new wave pop song about making a pop song that will likely get stuck in your head. We sent over some questions to Matthew Smith, the person behind the project, so we could learn more.

Where are you from?

Talking With Hands began in Nashville, Tennessee and, in some form, has existed for the last 15 years in NYC and LA.

How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it? 

Musically, Talking with Hands incorporates a diversity of sounds and approaches—from analog synths to acoustic guitars. I think if you enjoy variety, dynamic melodies/harmonies, and dense arrangements that reveal themselves over multiple listens, you'll really enjoy it. 

Tell us about your release on Nina. 

“#1 Record” is kind of an early 80s pop song with rhythmic hooks that make you want to dance. It's a feel good song, but the lyrics are critical of the music business and a certain Swedish music tech company... 

What kind of tools do you use to make music? 

Most recently I was sequencing some melodies on a Moog Mother-32. I frequently use the Hologram Microcosm with my Gretsch Electromatic guitar. I'm currently working on a Christmas song that's meant to sound very intimate, so it's just my Alvarez acoustic guitar and an AKG P-420 mic. Everything into Logic—I can't afford to be snobby on the recording front. 

Who are three artists you are listening to right now? 

Yaeji - “With a Hammer”

So much personality and a real freshness to the music.

death's dynamic shroud & Galen Tipton - “Herbrine Shell 2049” 

This is modern wild music, it might be record of the year for me.

Scorpions - “The Sails of Charon”

This record sounds fantastic, the vocals are very of that 70s era, but the guitar work is incredible—and Justice completely ripped off the groove.