By Tim Blankenship
Born in the industrial UK city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, Smashby’s journey as a music artist has been
shaped by the challenges he faced growing up queer in a conservative environment. While bullying was
tough in Bradford, things didn't improve much when his family moved to the Yorkshire Dales countryside. Despite the struggles, Smashby found solace in the support of his mother, who he describes as more like a big sister, and his grandparents, who have become his biggest cheerleaders, attending every show he performs. Smashby came out at 15, embracing his identity despite the tough reactions of those around him. Today, he doesn’t concern himself with labels or gender stereotypes,
focusing instead on living authentically and bringing light into people’s lives through his music. His latest track is “Love Myself (How I Used to Love You)”. We caught up with Smashby from his
recording studio.
Tim Blankenship: What inspired your new song?
Smashby: “Love Myself (How I Used to Love You)” was inspired by my first heartbreak. He just got engaged and it made me reflect on that time in my life. How in love with him I was and how much of my energy was wasted on him! That energy would have been better spent on learning to love myself.
T.B: Is that the main message of the song?
Smashby: The song’s message is to understand your worth as a person. It’s important to accept your flaws and imperfections the way you would with somebody you wanna be with. People come and go in our lives all the time; we have ourselves for as long as we live, so put more love into yourself rather than someone who might break your heart.
T.B: How would you describe its sound?
Smashby: It is an uplifting country pop banger! Every time I listen to it, I feel like I’m driving on an open road with the rooftop down.
T.B: How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Smashby: I’d describe myself as honest and adventurous.
T.B: Smashby is an adventurous name!
Smashby: Smashby was a nickname given to me by a P.E teacher I had in school. I hated P.E but my teacher was hot so I liked the nickname.
T.B: What are the main themes that you explore in your music?
Smashby: I write songs about
people I’ve been in love with who
have no idea, fights and friendship
break ups, strains on some of my
relationships with my family and my
own personal insecurities.
T.B: Was there a time that you struggled with loving yourself?
Smashby: My whole adolescence! Once I came out, a lot of my insecurities started to disappear. I
finally began to live within my own boundaries.
T.B: Do you tend to put the needs of others before your own?
Smashby: Yes, I’m a bit of a people pleaser.
T.B: What made you realize it was time to love yourself for who you are?
Smashby: The last time I realized I needed to work on loving myself was when I totaled up how much I was spending on cosmetic enhancements. I’m all for a little antiaging tweak but I became so
addicted to filler and changing my appearance! Getting the treatments made me feel special and important, but I’ve managed to finally get over that and calm it down.
T.B: What do you hope fans ultimately take away from song?
Smashby: I hope they feel a sense of empowerment when listening to this song; a
feeling of not needing someone else to feel complete.
T.B: Are you currentlyworking on additional songs?
Smashby: I’m working on a bunch of songs right now with my team,
(writer) Emmie Jay and (producer) Velvet Code and it’s my best work yet!
I scrapped a whole album that I was working on with some other producers over the past
three years. It wasn’t me anymore and I had to break away to work with my new team. It was the best thing Icould have done for my artistry.
T.B: We can’t wait to hear!
Smashby: I’m just so grateful for everyone that’s been supporting me these past few years. It’s been such a journey already and its only chapter one. I have a really good feeling about everything I’m working on and where I’m at in life right now.
Follow on Instagram @smashbyofficial.
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