Artist of the Day | ANDREW SMITH
ARTIST OF THE DAY
16.10.2021
ANDREW SMITH
LOCATION
Boston, MA, USA
CURRENT MEMBERS
Andrew Smith
With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt?
NYC
How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
I had an EP release planned for Summer 2020. I was so excited about it. I was living in Brooklyn at the time and decided to spend some time with my family in Boston. A couple weeks in Boston turned into over a year. I eventually released the project in October 2020 and was happy with the release though it was so different than what I had imagined.
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home? How are you supporting your mental health through all of this?
I love this question. I've written more music during the pandemic than I have since college. I've been music- directing teens alongside my childhood best friends Stephen, Ducky, and Laura. We've never worked together in this capacity so it's been such a treat to get to work on so many projects with them this past year.
Mental health is a cause I'm so passionate about. I've been a big advocate for therapy for over 10 years now, and have been working with my therapist virtually. It took some time to get used to working with him virtually but now I love it. I'm also working with a LGBTQ+ life coach.
As things are reopening & restrictions are lifting have you booked any new gigs? Tours? Etc? If your region is still under restriction, how are dealing with the Covid third wave?
I'm continuing to write, record, and produce but haven't prioritize live performing yet. I gigged so much before the pandemic, that I'm actually enjoying shifting focus into making music again in different ways.
For example, I hadn't worked with young people before, but music-directing these talented teens has taught me more about myself than they will ever know. I'm so grateful for those experiences. It's not only made my music better but "me" better. Who did I need as a kid? How can I be that person for them? I'm up for the challenge.
Favourite Starlite Room Moment?
This interview!
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
There is truly so much happening in our world right now. Acknowledge that. It's okay. If you're struggling, it's really okay. I want anyone reading this to know, that if you're thinking about talking to someone and working on yourself, please do.
Therapy has been the greatest investment I've ever made. Understanding ourselves so we can better understand our pain and our hurt, helps us live healthier and more fulfilled lives. It's hard work but so worth it. I am a work in progress. But trying.
I found Psychology Today extremely helpful in finding the right therapist for my set of challenges. You can search for help in your area, filter by different categories, and learn more about the therapists' skillsets and focus areas.
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