[2] During the early 1990s, he became a touring and session guitarist who played for numerous artists, including Yo La Tengo, Freedy Johnston, and Chris Harford.
He has also done session work for the Pooh Sticks, and produced albums by Giant Sand, Chocolate Genius, and Madder Rose.
[7] Peter Margasak, of Chicago Reader, wrote that Soma City was "impressive", writing of Salem, "While he offers nothing especially new, his emotion-drenched work is pretty darn close to impeccable.
"[8] Patrick Kampert gave the album 3 out or 4 stars, describing it as "a strong outing, similar in texture to the Sand Rubies' stellar debut".
[5] The album appeared on multiple critics' year-end lists for 1994, and Salem tied for first place in Rolling Stone's "Best New Male Singer" poll that year.