Music Spotlight: Waiting for Smith
Indie folk singer-songwriter Waiting for Smith recently released his latest single Lines of Love, and it’s the hopeful, optimistic track we’ve been waiting for. Harry Lloyd, the artist behind the moniker, broke his back in his former occupation as a ski instructor + soon after had an epiphany, which led him to dedicate his life to music. After spending a year in bed recovering + learning to play guitar, he formed Waiting For Smith—named after endlessly waiting for their original drummer Smith. Over the past couple of years, Waiting for Smith has graced our ears with his chill melodies + smooth, infectious vocals, and Lines of Love further highlights his calming sound. We caught up with Harry to chat about the tune, his outlook on life after his recovery + what’s next.
Asymmetric Magazine: Congrats on your latest release! Can you tell us the story behind Lines of Love?
Harry Lloyd: There comes a moment in any relationship—father to son, mother to daughter, boyfriend to girlfriend, brother to brother, husband to husband—when you realize you are two different people with different needs and desires. When those align, you seem to be in perfect harmony… but when they don’t, things can suddenly crumble into chaos. Lines of Love is a reminder to the other person in my life to remember that, despite the momentary turbulence, my support is always there for them, and that all local difficulties will pass eventually. Often out of struggle come the treasures in life.
AM: Do you have a favorite lyric from the track?
HL: It’s often difficult to over speculate. One minute you’re up and then you’re down and that’s your day.
AM: Are there any consistent themes you typically pursue through your music?
HL: I’ve always been fascinated by the big questions. Who are we? Where do we go when we die? And what are we going to do while we’re still alive? When you’re confined to bed for a year and you’ve watched every episode of Suits, listened to everything Bob Dylan’s ever done and learned to play guitar, you’ve still got time to wonder what’s the point of it all. These questions never seem to get boring—only more interesting. All kids are naturally curious, and I guess no one ever told me to stop being that way. There’s an innocent time when you don’t care about what other people think. That’s magical to me, and I’m trying to get back there. Meantime, I’m not sure why people don’t leap out of bed every morning and go: ‘Holy shit! I made it back!’. For me, that’s life—or my life for sure—in a tiny lyrical nutshell. It sways back and forth between unbridled joy and moments of great despair. But I guess I’d be a lousy songwriter if I didn’t feel anything.
There’s an innocent time when you don’t care about what other people think. That’s magical to me, and I’m trying to get back there.
AM: How does this compare to your previous releases?
HL: Like most of my earlier songs, it contains a message of hope, but the main difference is I really believe in this one—it feels very close to me. I guess that’s what any true artist is trying to do: give more of themselves. And I’m so proud of the production that Gavin Goldberg, Andy Wright and I did together. I like how the sound has developed – especially the bvs, which seem to tell another story alongside the lyrics. My aim is keep the songs classic but progress the sonic in a fresh direction. That’s the goal.
AM: For first time listeners, how do you like to describe your sound?
HL: Classic melodies with a contemporary flavour. I’m aiming for songs that wouldn’t feel out of place at any time in the last 50 years, but have a sound that experiments with modern vocal layering and electronics. So there’s inspiration from Beck, Gotye, David Bowie, The Beatles, The Kinks and Bob Dylan—but also from newer artists like Nick Mulvey, Dermot Kennedy and Post Malone.
AM: What other musicians have you been listening to in quarantine? Do you have a favorite playlist you can share?
HL: I’ve being listening to all sorts of stuff, delving deeply into everything—from the old grooves of Lee Dorsey, Fleetwood Mac, Bill Withers and James Brown to the reggae of Toots & The Maytals and Jimmy Cliff. Plus, I’ve found some unknown new artists like Ehrling, which is EDM, and listened to stuff by friends like Nikhil De Souza and Paul Wetz. Then I got really into Post Malone, because I love his attitude to how he makes his music. Most recently, I’ve been rediscovering Vance Joy and my love for Techno. So, I’m all over the place! I’m gonna have to put a playlist together now that you’ve asked…
AM: In this current climate, what's been keeping you grounded?
HL: After I broke my back in an accident a few years ago, I took up yoga. I do that everyday, without fail, whatever is happening. Last year, I did it for 363 days. If I have to be somewhere early, I get up 30 minutes earlier. It’s more important to me than breakfast. If the world outside seems like it’s falling to pieces—I know it won’t feel like that after I do my yoga. It gives me clarity and focus and a sense that everything is ultimately going to be all right. It provides a different lens to look through.
AM: How do you think music impacts social change?
HL: With music, I’m always trying to cheer myself up first, before passing it on to everyone else. So, it starts as therapy for me, really. But to cheer other people up and give them hope, that’s the ultimate aim.
AM: Who are you most excited to see live when concerts resume?
HL: Top of my list would be Post Malone; I wanna see what’s possible at the top—I’m always inspired by charisma and showmanship. But, if I’m really honest, I want to take my live show to the next level. I want to be buzzing about my own music and really smash a 30-minute/one-hour set, which I can watch back on someone’s phone and go: ‘Wow! I wanna pay to see that guy!’.
AM: Where is one place that you feel completely in touch with your creative self and your music?
HL: Truly, I always feel in touch with my creative side because I’m still a child. We all are, really, and children are always creative. When you have a big accident like I did, you let go of a lot of things, go back to the beginning. I had to be washed naked like a baby. After that total loss of privacy, I’m just pretty happy to be here most of the time. So, I write a lot about things that are happening now. I’m most inspired when I’m traveling, learning a new language or discovering a new side of someone I know—or of myself.
AM: What is something that inspires you outside of music?
HL: Nature; overcoming subconscious fears; running; video editing; laughter, people’s stories; philosophy… and pizza. But it’s gotta be Margarita Di Bufala—and only the best, you know. Yes! I’m inspired just talking about it!
AM: What can we expect to hear from you next?
HL: It’s a track called Skylight Dawn. I’m waiting for a music video idea to reveal itself, because I really have faith in this one. And I’m coming back to London to finish an EP. There’s a big release coming soon. Stay tuned!
// listen to Lines of Love:
photo courtesy of Lydia Reed
Listen to more Waiting For Smith on Spotify.
