John Smith Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 12th 2010 5:22PM by Michael Bialas
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The son of a preacherman, John Smith has a name that might be more familiar to Americans than his music. The British folk-singing guitarist will play solo at two SXSW showcase events – at 10 p.m. CDT March 19 at The Ale House and sometime between 3 and 6 p.m. March 20 at Latitude 30. His acoustic guitar wizardry has drawn comparisons to performers from Jeff Buckley to Nick Drake, so when Mr. Smith goes to Austin, it's likely audiences will remember more than his name. Spinner caught up with Smith before his arrival.

Describe your sound.

I come out of the traditional English folk guitar players. But I'm into Americana as well. So it's kind of new British folk with a slightly American feel.

You're primarily a solo performer. Any thoughts of putting a band together?

I've got a band, too, whenever I can afford it. It's a fairly new band. My bass player (Jon Thorne) I've been with quite a while. A friend of mine is a drummer (Oliver Hughes) and a friend of mine who is on electric guitar (Jamie Backhouse).

Have you come up with a band name?

We're just John Smith. ... Most of the time it's, "On the drums, John Smith. ... On the bass, John Smith ..." (laughs).

Is John Smith your real name?

That's my real name, man. Yeah, I get that all the time. But if you Google it, I'm at No. 1.

Ever think of changing it?

Nah, I'm happy it with it. There are a few other people who aren't so happy with it, but that's my name. My middle name is William and I can't be Will Smith. There's already quite a popular Will Smith out there.

When did you first start playing professionally?

Professionally, five years ago. I got a gig that pays as much as a week working in the comic book store where I was working. So I just decided to become self-employed and thought maybe I'll get other gigs, and I did. I was poor for a long time. I had more time to play music. Eventually, I started to make a living.

What are your musical influences?

Well, a lot of the English guitar players like Nick Drake and John Renbourn. And some American players like Ry Cooder and Paul Simon. And I grew up listening to (Muddy Waters). ... I only discovered (Richard Thompson), recently. My ex-girlfriend sat me down and played me "Beeswing." I think he knows who I am now and knows what I do, which is nice.

What's your biggest vice?

Besides comic books, I guess ... I'm trying to think of what would sound interesting. But it's obviously booze. I like drinking. Whiskey, good whiskey. That's not very exciting, is it?

But what about the comic books?

Batman, all the way. I always wanted to draw comic books when I was a kid but then I started playing guitar.

Do you have a big collection?

Yeah, but I just sold a lot of it on eBay to pay for the guitars.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Well, it's Texas, so sunglasses. A spare T-shirt, because it gets hot. And my guitar. That's about it. And maybe money ... money for booze (laughs), so I can go to as many barbecues as possible. But I love Texan food. I'm really into chili.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Ohhh ... probably Justin Timberlake. I listened to that album called Justified quite a lot. Although, actually, I don't know if it's such a guilty pleasure, but I'm a big Metallica fan, too. So whichever one that makes me sound less like a douche bag.

Beatles or Stones?

Led Zeppelin (laughs). Can I have Led Zeppelin or does it have to be Beatles or Stones?

I'm afraid it has to be Beatles or Stones.

Well, I live in Liverpool. So if I don't say the Beatles, I'm gonna get my ass kicked in. I'll go with Beatles (laughs).

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

I was playing in Glasgow (at the Classic Grand during the Celtic Connections festival) a couple of weeks ago. Someone threw a pint glass at me. A large glass for a pint of beer. I got off stage and went down to him and said, "What are you doing?" And he said, "It's a compliment. In Glasgow, if we like you, we throw our glasses at you. And all his mates went, "Yeah, yeah, it's a compliment." So I had a pint thrown at me and apparently it was in good spirits (laughs). He really liked my song. I thought that was pretty weird.

Who is one performer or group you're dying to see play at SXSW?

Actually, I really want to see The Dillinger Escape Plan if I can. They're playing on Wednesday. And (Canadian-born songwriter) Devon Sproule on Thursday. Devon is a friend of mine. She's amazing.

You drove through the Deep South recording songs for your last album (Map Or Direction). Any plans to tour in America?

That's kind of why I'm going to SXSW. I just want to find some opportunities. Get some people to see me. I love America, man. I'd like to perform there a lot. There's a lot of places I haven't been and a lot of places I want to go.

Michael Bialas is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.