Artist John Smith Reflects On Rising Fame And Talks About New Album ‘The Living Kind’

John is well on his way to achieving music icon status!

As if he could have gotten any better, he did just that with his new album ‘The Living Kind’, which we have been listening to ever since it came out.

We had the amazing honor of speaking with John about his songwriting process, advice for aspiring artists, and more!

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

J: “I was 18 and part of a theatre company. I decided I was going to focus on music instead, because I’d have more control over what would happen to me. Five years later I played a guitar festival and got paid as much as I did in a week for my four part-time jobs. So, I quit all those jobs and became self-employed and went about the business of releasing records.”

Tell us more about your amazing new album ‘The Living Kind’.

J: “I recorded this album with producer Joe Henry at his home in Maine. It was February and -25c outside. We hunkered down and cut the record in four days. It’s a stripped-down record focused around my guitar and voice. It’s intimate, warm, expansive. The songs are concerned with going through and reflecting on a hard time, getting on with the business of living.”

If you had to choose, what is your favorite song from the album and why?

J: “That’s impossible, but it’s been nice hearing people’s favorites. I’ve had a lot of comments on “Trick Of The Light.” It’s a song about the passing of time, played on an acoustic guitar, so it feels kind of timeless.”

How would you personally describe your songwriting process?

J: “Slow and laborious, until it isn’t. I keep my aerial up and sometimes a song will fall right into my lap. Most days I’m at the desk pulling teeth.”

How do you think you’ve grown as both a music artist and a person over the course of the past seven albums you’ve released?

J: “Each album teaches you something different about yourself. I’m a much better songwriter than I was in 2006 when I released my first album, The Fox and The Monk. I was just a kid then, but my ethos is the same as it ever was. I’ve stayed in my own lane, I’ve done most of it myself, and I haven’t become part of a scene or signed a big record deal. I’ve hit the road hard, and I’ve been rewarded with a really devoted following.”

What has been your reaction to having over 100 million streams on your music?

J: “It’s a beautiful thing, knowing that your songs are out in the world reaching people in
faraway places. Also, paying the bills always feels good.”

What is the best piece of advice you can give to aspiring music artists?

J: “Write every day. Practice your instrument every day. Keep your eyes and ears open. Play as many gigs as humanly possible. Make peace with the fact that you will probably be broke. Be kind to yourself. Don’t drink too much booze. Make sure you get yourself out of bed each day, even when you don’t want to. Remember to read books. Fall in love as often as possible and write about it. Don’t spend too much time looking at your
phone.”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

J: “On streaming platforms, or you can follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.”

Make sure to stream ‘The Living Kind’, available now on all platforms!