Backstage Pass with... Nick Smith
Q&A with Nick Smith
Interview by: Sharon Chapman
Oklahoma City native Nick Smith has been developing a broad fan base as a result of his debut release, "Paradise EP". Smith took time out from his first national tour in order to discuss his music with us!
Tuned In Music - How long have you been playing the guitar and why did you start playing?
Nick Smith - I have been playing for six-and-a-half years. At the time I was taking after my older brother. I saw my brother play guitar, and I saw guys on TV playing guitar. So, I guess I just really wanted to do it to be as cool as they were.
TI - Do you play any other instruments.
NS - No -- not enough to say that I do because I'm not very good at them.
TI - Did you play any instruments in school?
NS - Actually, no. But I did study vocal music.
TI - When did you start writing your own songs?
NS - I started messing around with actual writing in my sophomore year of high school.
TI - Who are your musical influences?
NS - There isn't really one that I can pin down. I've always listened to a wide range of styles. As far as people who influence me who play guitar and who write -- I listened to Phish and Trey Anastasio. I've always loved his guitar playing -- that one sticks out a lot.
TI - Where do you find the inspiration for your music?
NS - It's really a number of things. It's different each time I sit down to write. I just kind of collect things that have been going on in my head, whether they are personal or things that I witnessed or have been involved in. I just reflect on that and write it on paper.
TI - What was it like recording the Paradise EP?
NS - It was great -- really relaxed. I recorded with my bassist at the time, at his house. We had all the time in the world to do it. It was really great because we were able to do everything ourselves.
TI - What do you have in store for your next recording?
NS - I'm really excited about getting back in the studio. It will have more of a full band setting. It's going to have about 12 tracks and will still be basic, but I'm going to be bringing in a band as well.
TI -
What has it been like balancing your music with your education?
NS - It wasn't really a problem until last semester, when I started to pick up more dates and shows. I still was able to do it, but I wasn't confident enough to take it to the next step. I just didn't think I'd be able to do it.
TI - Are you still planning to complete your degree at Oklahoma State University?
NS - Oh yeah, I plan to go back.
TI - You took this semester off in order to tour. What has the touring been like?
NS - It has been great. It was exciting to get on the road. Everyone has been great to us. It's been everything that I thought it was going to be. The good times and the bad times-we definitely had our share of breaking down and getting on the bus for 20 hours. It's really been great to connect with people in other states-- it's been amazing!
TI - What is it like meeting the fans around the country? How is it similar to back home, and how is it different?
NS - I don't put it anywhere near the same as back home. It's incredible. I mean, going to cities like L.A. and New York and having people there to listen -- who are there for me! It's a whole new level of appreciation. It's definitely different, and it's amazing.
TI - What has it been like performing with the other artists with whom you've been touring?
NS - I'm so lucky that for my first tour the groups that I've had to play with were such great groups. I played with Ingram Hill in Pennsylvania the other night and that was incredible -- they were really great and it was good to have that opportunity.
Tonight I get to open in Tulsa with Ari Hest. That's an artist that I've always looked up to and he's been an inspiration for me -- I saw him and Jason Mraz play in Dallas when I was in high school. It's incredible to be able to open for him now.
TI - How do you think that this experience of being on the road and playing with all of these artists is going to influence your songwriting?
NS - It's definitely been an eye-opener. By seeing all of the other groups and the way they write and perform, it makes me feel like I have room to mature in my writing and I'm excited to get into it and get back to writing.
For more information about Nick Smith, or to see when he will be touring near you, check out http://www.nsmithmusic.com/
