Plain Mister Smith delivers music for confused time and space travelers. Considering these unprecedented times, I might qualify as one of those!
In this interview spotlight, we chat about the new self-titled EP, challenges, surviving a lock down and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
Johannesburg, Liverpool, Montreal, but mostly Vancouver where I now live. I guess you’d call it loosely indie singer-songwriter – just because I love to explore different sonic palettes I mix a dog’s breakfast of sounds in the songs, though the basis for all Plain Mister Smith songs always starts on acoustic guitar.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
I’ve been a musician since a wee lad and it’s kind of in my DNA to dabble every day with chord progressions and notes even if most lead nowhere. I released music under Moev and Cinderpop when it was all about CDS (and vinyl). It’s completely different now. It’s amazing through many services with an upload you can make your music accessible globally to anyone who wants to hear it. Now it’s a question of how you actually connect with that audience who may want to hear it (so thank you Indie Music Discovery!)
Does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
I want songs to be rich sonically (hence various strings and odd, subtle electronics). Lyrically I really try to catch listeners a little off guard and yet still have meaning. I admire great lyricists like Jarvis Cocker for example. They can really help a song connect viscerally. I have a long way go to go but it’s an aspiration….
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
Just strumming through altered guitar tunings and turning your brain off wacko politics or fear for example, has made music such a vital release for me…..sometimes not being in a room with other musicians in creating has been a challenge, but most musicians have adapted to connecting virtually, and slowly but surely, we’re all connecting in the same physical space again.
What was the last song you listened to?
Wire’ “I should have known better” – seminal!
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
I’m okay with practically anything but if I had a choice without wanting to sound snobby, I think WAVs have the best clarity while still packing punch….
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
https://www.instagram.com/plainmistersmith/
Please reach out – happy to connect
