Waiting For Smith – Hopelessness of Love

By starrymag | August 16, 2021

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

Q) How would you best describe your sound? 

 

A) I always find that question impossible. It’s quite varied in genre. The main thing is it should make you feel good, understood and move you in some way. But in a sentence, at the moment, it’s… Indie Folk tracks with an electronic Pop production.

 

Q) Who are your Top 3 musical influences?

 

Nick Mulvey

Post Malone

The Beatles

JJ Cale

Leonard Cohen

I’ll explain as it’s five:  Nick Mulvey’s guitar, rhythm and backing vocals, the Beatles song writing and recording process and Post Malone for his attitude and exploration of genre. Followed by JJ Cale for his drum machines and understated delivery and Leonard Cohen for his lyrics.

 

Q) Tell us the story behind the newest single “Tired Mind.” 

 

A) “Tired Mind” is quite a personal one. I was worried about putting it out as it’s about struggles with mental health. And trying to accept the fact that it’s impossible to be “a Mr. Sunshine” all of the time.

I want people to listen to it and say, “You know what? Today isn’t a good day and that’s ok by me.” I hope it’s cathartic for the listener as It really helped me on the day I wrote it with Jan (Co-writer and Producer).

 

Q) You also released an earlier single titled “Hopelessness of Love” back in April. As both of your new singles focus on the theme of love, was this an intentional choice or has love been the inspiration behind your recent songwriting?

 

A) Hopelessness of Love will be the title of the EP out July 9th. The theme of the EP is all around relationships and love. Each track is about a different kind of love and way of communicating it.

“Hopelessness of Love,” the last single and title track, has writing behind the artwork to signal communication through speaking. The song is all about asking the other “why are we fighting” if we know we want only the best for each other. “Tired Mind,” the most recent, is all about self-love and accepting that we are bound to have down days where we don’t feel ok and that’s ok. There are clouded scribbles behind that one to represent a busy mind full of worry we can all relate to.

 

Q) With the release of the new singles, is there a potential EP or full-length album in the works?

 

A) They’ll be another later in the year called Trying Not To Try…You heard it here first. Really excited to share them both.

 

Q) I absolutely loved your acoustic music video for “God’s Business.” Are there any plans to release similar music videos for “Tired Mind” and “Hopelessness of Love” in a similar fashion? 

 

A) Thank you so much. Yeah, I love playing that one, so good to hear you felt it too. I’m always posting new live versions on my YouTube page…we’re planning to do a few live videos to go with the new EP along with a music video.

 

Q) What do you hope fans take away from the new music? 

 

A) A feeling of hope I think, that despite all the difficulty life throws at you, it’s all gonna be fine. I believe that if you choose to see life as a good thing, it will become that way.

 

Q) Your music seems to be inspired by personal experience with a message of positivity. Why is it important to you to spread that message through your music?

 

A) I’ve always loved bringing people together, if it’s through laughter or music. I just really feel that making people feel good and understood became my mission after breaking my back. I just realized immediately it was what I should be doing. I love seeing people let go and being happy.

When I was about six years old, I remember walking out of the garage late at night. I’d spent about twenty minutes trying to pick out a chocolate bar. My dad was outside having a chat with this bearded guy on the street…. I asked him as he walked back to the car, “Did you know him dad?” He said, “No but everyone’s got a story to tell.” I saw how happy it made the guy to be seen and it made me feel good to witness. I thought to myself, “Hmm. I wonder if I could do that.”

 

Q) You have been gaining a lot of recognition through Spotify and social media. How has having a digital platform to share your music helped you to grow your brand and fan base?

 

A) Oh, it’s essential. You gotta have somewhere to listen to your stuff, someone to listen to it and then somewhere you can tell people to go listen if they missed it. I love looking in Spotify/Apple for artists and seeing people listening in different cities and countries around the world. You start to imagine who they may be and how they live their lives.

 

Q) With live music making a return, will you be doing any live shows in the future?

 

A) Yeah, got a few shows just come in like Wilderness (UK) and Latitude Festival (UK). Putting a band back together for those. More to be announced…@waitingforsmith Insta.

 

Q) Which song has been your favorite to perform for the fans at shows?

 

A) By myself in lockdown it was this one called “Trying Not To Try.” You can find versions on IGTV or Flow Down Stream. Both unreleased.

At the last show though, I really loved playing this one “Lightness in You,” which we did a live version of on the Waiting for Smith YouTube channel. People really reacted to that one, as it’s so upbeat. I also love just singing a song where I’m not playing an instrument, like “Song for Grace” and I can really tune into what I’m trying to say.

 

Q) If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be and why?

 

A) Nick Mulvey. I love his sound, his message and I’m manifesting being able to work with Dan Carey, his producer.

 

Q) What are you currently listening to?

 

A) Caamp – I really love them. Just a good vibe. Declan McKenna, I think his lyrics and performance are so unique. Dominic Fike’s first EP feels so relaxed and like he just went this is me. Purple Disco Machine – love the track “Hypnotized.” And I have a playlist on Spotify called Waiting for Smith Summer Nights…go follow and check it out. It’s all the music that inspired me including: Gerry Rafferty, Marvin Gaye, JJ Cale, Post Malone, Leon Bridges, Tribe Called Quest and Toots & The Maytals. So much good music.

 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qIFd4zOnQGcrV9VryjvNk?si=NmQv_FLAQbS8CDgrdXMTZw

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of your music?

 

A) Do what you love, and everything will be better, be kind to someone if you’re feeling down and share Waiting for Smith with everyone you meet.