By: Jessica Hatchett
Photo By Kandice Smith
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) There’s really no running from it. I’m a rock and roll kid at heart.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences that helped shape you as an artist?
A) As much as I grew up listening to Alan Jackson and Shania Twain and Johnny Cash in the tobacco stripping rooms or working construction, I was also a punk rock skateboard kid listening to Blink-182, Dashboard Confessional and Death Cab for Cutie.
My mom played Paul Simon in the house. We never really were a music house, but my best friend’s parents always had music playing every time you went over to see them, and I just fell in love with that life.
Q) I have listened to the song “No Strangers After All” a lot recently. Why did that feel like the right title for this album?
A) This song kind of came out of nowhere. One night I started writing it, and the next night my grandmother ended up in the hospital. I went to visit her and ended up staying in her room just so she’d have some company.
That grandma bought me my first guitar. It was just a cool way to say that I don’t think, if it wasn’t for that moment, I would know all the beautiful people that I know in my life. Music brings us all together.
Q) Was there a particular song that decided the direction that the album, also named No Strangers After All, would take?
A) “No Strangers After All” felt like the last song I needed to give myself permission to just do whatever I wanted.
Some of these songs have been sitting around since I’ve released other records, but they just never found a home together. “Whiskey in the Wind,” the last track on the record, is a little tip of the hat to the miles we’ve had as road dog weekend warriors, touring the country, following a dream and spending our lives away from home at different times.
That song really feels like it was me finally saying, “Yep, this is me. This is my life.”
I’m at a point where I just fearlessly want to release whatever feels right to me. It’s not about a genre or even a marketing campaign. It’s just, here I am. I’m Noah Smith. I’ve been doing this a little while and these are the songs. I hope you dig it and I’m gonna see you at the live shows.
Q) Which track was the most difficult to write and record and why do you think that was?
A) “Varsity Jacket” is a very personal lyrical song to me, and for some reason, in the studio it was one of the toughest to bring together musically and find where it needed to go.
We knew that it had something special, but it was just a little stubborn. I really think it landed in a beautiful place that is inspiring, and I get excited every time I see it on the set list now.
Q) Your music is rooted in real stories. How do you decide which personal experiences become songs?
A) There are definitely some things in my life I’m still not comfortable talking about through my music. Some things have to be sacred after all.
But, for me, it’s always been about observation. I like having conversations with people. I’m a talker. [laughs] From that, I think there’s this cool mirror effect that happens when you’re sharing life with people.
Q) Are you typically inspired to write lyrics or a melody first?
A) Not to toot my own horn, but I write a lot. I write often. Pretty much daily I’m putting something down. So, at this point, there are really no rules. Whatever gets you there, gets you there.
Q) How hands on are you when it comes to the production side of your music?
A) I’m about as hands on as you can be. [laughs] I love making records. I love working with different people. Drums are a big part of what I focus on and I’ve got a great band.
Throughout this project, we also had some studio musicians along the way who helped bring it to life.
Q) My favorite songs on the album are “Come Here Lonely” and “Whiskey in the Wind.” Do you have a song or songs that hold a special place in your heart and why?
A) That’s awesome that you dig “Come Here Lonely.” I think it’s a special one that I hope the world finds with us. I’ve been waiting to put that song out for a long time.
It feels like a big song that’s bigger than all of us. Every show I’ve played, from acoustic sets to full band, it’s a fan favorite. I love playing it live.
“Blindsided” is another one that I wrote at my kitchen table. We’ve never really done a piano thing like that live at the show and it’s a game changer. It’s always a special moment I look forward to playing.
Q) This album features duets with Bronnie, who we recently interviewed, and Jimmy Clepper. How did you come to collaborate with them?
A) Jimmy is a friend of mine from the Cincinnati area and an incredible artist. He’s putting his own music out and was in a band that really impacted the city. I love him. We’re also just dear friends.
His vocal not only felt right, but I felt like he could relate to the story of “Varsity Jacket.”
Bronnie is someone I met through my brother and co-writer, Blue Foley. We actually just got done spending time together in Denmark at Nashville Nights International Songwriter Festival.
When I wrote “Borderline,” I thought the second verse would just be fun for another voice and I knew it was right to ask her to be on it. It turned out absolutely amazing.
Side note, I just met her mom and dad in Denmark and they’re my new favorite people.
Q) What do you hope lingers with people who explore this album No Strangers After All, either as a message or emotion?
A) I don’t want an audience for the record. I want people to experience it for themselves and I hope that it helps impact their life – even if it’s just playing in the background around the pool, while they’re grilling out or cleaning up in the kitchen.
This record was special to me while we made it. Now that it’s out, it feels like it has the legs to reach other people.
There’s a little bit of all of us in these songs because the community and my fans have been at the heart of everything I’ve done. It’s always about the rooms. It’s always about the people.
The music is the invitation, but it’s really about us living this life and chasing this dream together. I know that sounds crazy, but that’s just how I’ve always believed it’s done.
Q) You have a mix of ballads and more up-tempo tracks in your back catalog. Do you have a favorite to sing live?
A) “Anarchist” is an absolute slamming song that we play live. It’s heavy and raw and I really get to let loose.
But I’ll tell you what, the last couple shows since the record came out, I’m really loving playing “Varsity Jacket.” It feels like my roots as a garage band, punk rock kid playing in church basements and pool halls. Makes me wanna dance.
Q) You’ve said strangers become friends through music. What is an example of that happening?
A) The last 20 years of my life. [laughs]
Q) As if you aren’t already busy enough, you’re also responsible for hosting and putting together “Crooner Circus.” What was the inspiration behind that?
A) “Crooner Circus” is a show about songwriters and the songs that they write. I’ve always believed in this city and I just believe in my friends.
I think one of my biggest pains in life is that I believe in people more than they want to believe in themselves sometimes. I’m learning that it’s not my responsibility, but I just want to see us all win a little bit.
It’s so hard to do anything in this business that when I finally had some eyes on me over the years, I just wanted to give back and build and foster a community that other people could be a part of.
I literally had nobody do that for me. Like, zero. I’ve never had someone reach down and pull me up.
I think “Crooner Circus” has been a great way to not only do that, but give other people ownership in the music in the Cincinnati area. I really think “Crooner” has changed the landscape of our city. I’m seeing songwriter rounds pop up all over the place.
So, in a way, it’s like we brought a little bit of that Nashville spirit to the Queen City. Now I really see a songwriting industry happening. People are co-writing and collaborating in ways they’ve never done before.
Q) Who are some artists you would love to work with on music in the future?
A) Travis Meadows is a hero of mine. I really love his records and I just respect a lot of people who have worked with him as well.
Ashley McBryde is someone that I’ve always dreamed of touring with. I think our live show and hers would really connect in a good way.
And shoutout to my dudes Muscadine Bloodline. They’re killing it right now and giving all of us down here something to dream for.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Thanks for being here. Y’all ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
I’m really excited that after all these years I can continue to make music. My Patreon supporters literally are funding my records at this point.
We might not be at the top, but we’re definitely not at the bottom and I’m gonna enjoy every second along the way.
Thank you. Forever grateful.