Smith Westerns was an American indie rock ensemble formed in 2007 in Chicago. The group consisted of brothers Cullen and Cameron Omori, Max Kakacek, Julien Ehrlich, and Hal James. The band released its eponymous debut studio recording, Smith Westerns, on HoZac Records in June 2009. The recording was produced in the basement of Kakacek. The ensemble released its second album, Dye It Blonde, through Fat Possum Records in January 2011. The release included the recording “Weekend”. The group released its final studio recording, Soft Will, on Mom + Pop Music in June 2013, featuring the track “Varsity”. In December 2014, the band announced an indefinite hiatus before confirming a permanent breakup. Following the dissolution, Cullen Omori signed with Sub Pop Records as a soloist. Kakacek and Ehrlich formed the group Whitney with touring keyboardist Ziyad Asrar.
