Exposed Vocals sits down with Drew Smith for an exclusive interview

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?  

Drew:  I grew up in the great city of San Diego, CA. As a youngster, I listened to whatever my mom was playing on the stereo or record player. She was really into R&B and classical music. However, for some reason, I got into punk rock as a kid. Ever since I can remember, I’d bang on pots and pans with wooden spoons until I made dents in them, but she never complained. In 4th grade I started playing the violin. From there, I started trying to play everything I could get my hands on, and it turned out that I was able to pick up anything fairly quickly. My teachers would recommend that I be put in special classes/schooling, but we didn’t have the money, so that didn’t happen. I first heard MxPx in middle school and realized that they were doing everything I liked (harmonies, aggressive points, etc), and that really got my interest. I especially liked the quickness and how everything still made sense. From there, I started playing drums every chance I got until my best friend’s mom got a bass guitar, amp, and drumset and surprised us one day after school in 7th grade. I’ve been playing ever since. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that I picked up the guitar and started writing my own songs.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Drew:  It’s just my name. 😉

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Drew:  I like the idea of online music sharing. At this day in age, it’s necessary because music stores are very few and really far between. I just released my latest single for free download and streaming. I think it helps because many times people won’t buy your music straight away if you aren’t already famous and promoted on their favorite music channels. I also didn’t pay anything for my recording since it was done on my phone, so it didn’t hurt my pocket any. Heheheh

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Drew:  The only advice I can give is say yes to every opportunity. You never know who will be there to hear you. Play every show as if there is a million people there. Even if there are 5 or 10, they will tell their friends. Word travels fast and your performance is what ultimately makes or breaks your exposure.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Drew:  I’m human so I make mistakes probably as much as the next person, if not more. After so many years of practicing and honing my craft, I’ve learned how to turn a mistake into an improvisation opportunity. Don’t let the people know that you messed up. Do your best to recover without giving yourself away. A lot of times, when you listen back, you’ll surprise yourself or even find new and better ways to do things you’ve been doing a certain way for so long.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?  

Drew:  I am not currently touring, but I did a lot in my earlier years. I was never really a “tail chaser” or after drugs and parties too much, so I just naturally let things happen as they wanted to. I remember plenty of times walking out at night, after a show, when all of my bandmates were trying to hook up or find something “fun” and I’d be on my own adventure and meet interesting people. There were a lot of snowy nights. One time, we were in a 9 passenger van with a trailer and we ended up sliding down a hill in a residential area. We stopped on a curb but it was crazy not knowing where we were going to end up.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?  

Drew:  My inspiration simply comes from life and its experiences. More often than not, I hear something in my head and I have to ask what song it is. The people that know me will let me know if it’s good or not too. Usually, when I try to force something out, it never comes. That’s the part that amazes me: it comes to me already done.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Drew:  IamDrewSmith.com is my website. It’s linked to my Reverbnation page. I currently use social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) mostly. However, I also find that promoting at shows is a good way to get people to listen to your music after you’ve played. Just make sure you do a good job up there. 😉

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Drew:  Ha! I don’t have an MP3 player! But I try not to listen to too much of the sound I write like because I don’t want to be so influenced that people can’t tell me apart from the bands/artists that I like. But at the same time, I do listen to a lot of funk, jazz and classical music. And I also have all of my favorite punk, rock, and hardcore bands on there, as well as a couple metal bands.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?  

Drew:  I’d put half of it away in a savings account. I’d pay for some high quality (not top quality) studio time at a local studio to give them some business and I’d use some to pay for good promotion. I’d probably set up a tour at that point so I can use the time wisely. I’d also spend time with my family.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?  

Drew:  I’m currently recording on Garage Band on my phone, but I just started working with a drummer and we’re writing for a new punk/rock project. His friend has a local studio in town so we’ll most likely be using what they have. I’m assuming it’s ProTools or something along those lines. I do want a home studio eventually, but my current living situation doesn’t necessarily allow room for that right now.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Drew:  Like I said earlier, mostly online, but I think promoting at your performances helps a lot. Having said that, it would be good to get as many shows as you can. And not all in one area. Space them out play in your home town and go out and play in the surrounding towns as well, so you don’t over-saturate your fans.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?  

Drew: I would love to get in the studio with Billy Corgan, Dave Grohl, Jimi Hendrix, Adam Lazzara, and my friends, Derek and Ben, and see what we could come up with…

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Drew:    I’m currently working on a new punk/rock project. It’s just me and a drummer right now. He’s really good. The songs that I’ve written on guitar are written around drum beats, since I’m a drummer myself. I fronted a band before, but the drummer wasn’t where I would ideally like him to be, so this time, I’m really excited to see how we make this work. It’s going to be awesome but I don’t want to give too much away just yet…

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?  

Drew:  If I wasn’t making music, I honestly have no idea what I’d be doing. I’ve done warehouse work all of my life, so I’d probably be doing that, but to be happy and all, if it wasn’t for music, I honestly couldn’t say what I’d be doing.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?  

Drew: My very first album, from my mom was Smashing Pumpkins, Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness. The first one I bought was MxPx, Life in General.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?  

Drew: To me, without staying responsible, I couldn’t support my habit of playing, recording, performing, etc. What helps my stay busy is to keep working. It helps on many different levels because I get paid, so I can pay my bills and stay on top of my equipment. Also, I have a family, so I have to do both. But I will never quit doing what I do and stay with my first love.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?  

Drew:  The Rough