Hailed as the future of folk by the legendary John Renbourn of Pentangle, singer-songwriter John Smith transcends genre labels, particularly with his evocative new album, The Living Kind. Produced by the acclaimed Joe Henry, known for his subtle touch in Americana, this record positions John Smith firmly within a rich American atmospheric soundscape, solidifying his status as a true musician’s musician.
Echoes of Inspiration: From Talk Talk to Joni Mitchell in John Smith’s New Work
The genesis of The Living Kind began in early 2022, born from a desire to create an intimate, acoustic experience reminiscent of Talk Talk’s seminal Spirit of Eden. John Smith cites this album, alongside John Martyn’s Solid Air and Joni Mitchell’s groundbreaking electro-acoustic Hejira, as the foundational creative pillars for his latest project. Similar to Hejira, The Living Kind unfolds as a unified song cycle, bathed in a consistent and captivating sonic palette.
Finding New Ground: Personal Reflection in John Smith’s Songwriting
The emotional depth of The Living Kind is rooted in personal experience. John Smith reveals that his family endured a series of intense personal crises in 2020. Emerging from this period of upheaval and rebuilding, as expressed in the track “The World Turns,” John Smith sought “a new way to feel.” This album, The Living Kind, becomes an exploration of responsibility and a profound awareness of one’s role within the intricate dynamics of family. John Smith explains that the songwriting process became a journey of personal transformation, stating, “When I started writing these songs, I knew what was happening; in the space of three years, I had essentially become a different person.”
Live Spontaneity in Maine: Recording ‘The Living Kind’
Recorded over a mere four days in February 2023 at Joe Henry’s secluded Maine home, The Living Kind captures a remarkable sense of immediacy. Amidst freezing temperatures reaching -25 degrees, John Smith and the band – Levon Henry and bassist Ross Gallagher – immersed themselves entirely in the recording process. This isolation and intensity are palpable in the album’s atmosphere, blending darkness with warmth. John Smith cherished the raw spontaneity of recording live, emphasizing the vital interplay with his core musicians – “moving air around, making eye contact, dancing and weaving.” The intuitive musicianship of Gallagher, a jazz bassist, proved particularly crucial, seamlessly anticipating Smith’s musical direction. The album also features drumming contributions from Jay Bellerose (known for his work with Robert Plant) and Joshua Van Tessel (Bahamas). Adding further layers, Patrick Warren, keyboardist for Joe Henry and composer for True Detective, lends his signature gothic-tinged keyboard and string arrangements to many of the tracks.
