Dan Smith (British singer)

Dan Smith
Smith performing with Bastille at Provinssirock in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Daniel Campbell Smith
Born	(1986-07-14) 14 July 1986 [1] London, England
Genres	Alternative rock
Occupation(s)	singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, piano, keyboard, percussion, melodica
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Virgin, Virgin EMI, Capitol Music, Universal Music Group
Associated acts	Bastille, Annie Oakley Hanging, Randalph, Madeon
Website	bastillebastille.com

Daniel Campbell "Dan" Smith (born 14 July 1986) is an English singer-songwriter. He is the lead vocalist, producer, songwriter and founder of the indie rock band Bastille. The band formed in 2010 and gained mass popularity in 2013 when the song "Pompeii" was released.

Solo career

At age fifteen, Smith started off writing songs on the piano and his laptop in his bedroom, but kept it secret from his friends and family. That was until his secret was discovered by a friend who stumbled upon him producing music from his student digs. This friend entered him for a local competition for which the prize was studio recording time and performing a gig.^[1] Some of his recordings included "Alchemy", "Words Are Words", and "Irreverence". Smith did not achieve mainstream success in his solo career, but continued writing songs both alone and with his close friend, and roommate, Ralph Pelleymounter from To Kill a King. The two formed a side project called "Annie Oakley Hanging", which was described as "cowboy like" by Pelleymounter.^[2]

After finishing his studies Smith returned to London where he continued pursuing his solo career. After a leaflet came through his letterbox, and at the urging of his mother, he called up Chris 'Woody' Wood, who was looking for drumming students. Smith went to meet Wood in hope of being able to start a band with one of his students, but Wood was so impressed with Dan's songs that he was willing to become the drummer of Smith's band himself.^[3]

Smith featured as vocalist for the song "La Lune" produced and written by the French electronic musician Madeon for Madeon's 2015 album Adventure.

Influences

Smith is a massive fan of the television TV series Twin Peaks, and one of its creators, David Lynch.^[4] The show inspired one of his first recorded songs, "Laura Palmer" and Bastille's first Virgin Records single "Overjoyed". Smith has previously said that his earlier work was heavily influenced by artists such as Regina Spektor.^[5]

Personal life

Smith is good friends with the members of rock band To Kill A King. He writes and arranges all of Bastille's songs, apart from remixes and covers, and worked with friend Mark Crew to produce Bad Blood.^[6] He plays many instruments including the piano, keyboard, percussion, and melodica. Smith's parents come from South Africa and his song "Durban Skies" is said to be dedicated to them. The song tells the story of how his parents met, fell in love, and got married.^[7]

Future ambitions

Smith is currently working with the other members of Bastille on album two, after touring America and much of the world. Late last year, they also released a mixtape called, "Other Peoples Heartache Part III" which follows on from their past mixtapes, "Other Peoples Heartache Part I" and the predictably named, "Other Peoples Heartache Part II". Their latest mixtape features the musical talent of rappers Angel Haze and GRADES, along with singer and friend Rag'n'Bone Man. They were nominated for a Grammy in 2015 too, but Sam Smith beat them to the top spot, to Smith's apparent relief. Smith is also hinting about an upcoming 2015 UK tour, and even releasing an Annie Oakley Hanging album with good friend Ralph Pelleymounter.

References