I’ve kind of been the guy who is weaving in [Martin] If you’re writing with people that and out of everyone’s worlds in the last 7 or 8 you really like and respect, usually you will years. One minute I’m with Jesus Culture, then both land in the same place. It’s actually quite [Martin] You can go to www.MartinSmith.
I might be with Bethel, or the Hillsong gang. rare for them to steer it and take it off in an tv to see more information. I’m also in a more
I’m enjoying writing with different people and, odd direction. Normally, you arrive together. mainstream Rock n’ Roll band called Army of
hopefully, being an encouragement as well. Sometimes you’re writing with a particular artist Bones. I felt like God was still asking me to
in mind, and maybe it isn’t a song that I would step out and not just sing to church people,
do myself, but I know that it really fits them. so we’ve been playing in clubs around the
[WM] You’re kind of a statesman now! You
played a new song tonight. Tell us about it.
more information?
U.K., and different shows around the world.
I’ve been working with an amazing singer and It’s been going well. It’s small, and gloriously
[Martin] I’ve been wanting to write a “Come, songwriter from Ireland named Kathryn Scott, underwhelming, but I love the music and it’s
Holy Spirit” type of song now for a long time. and that’s been a 2 year process of writing given me a whole other set of songs to express
Some of the younger guys in my church and and refining. And at the end we recorded a live myself with.
I were writing some songs. We have a new record at her church in Ireland. That should be project called Bright City, which is like our own coming out in 2018.
[WM] What would be a last word of
version of Bethel. It’s on our own label, and it’s
encouragement you have for young worship
fantastic music and sounds great. I’ve just been [WM] Do you have any other projects on the
helping out with that, and the song “Come, horizon?
Holy Spirit” is on that album. I co-wrote it with
several other people.
leaders and songwriters?
[Martin] Be authentic. Write the songs that
[Martin] I’m going to try and record a live you genuinely feel you can sing, rather than
worship record as well. I’m trying to figure out what you think people are going to like. I think
[WM] From day one you’ve written your own how to do it. I’ve got all of these new songs and it’s a bad mistake to write for the audience.
songs. Tell us about your approach to the craft I just want to get them out. Well… it’s not wrong to have that in mind, but
of songwriting.
the majority of the song has got to be from
[WM] Will that be under “Martin Smith”?
[Martin] I still love songwriting, but these days
it’s become more collaborative. Interestingly,
your gut in order for it to connect. There are
more and more generic sorts of songs that are
[Martin] Yes. happening now, and it needs to change.
Delirious days. When you’re in a band and [WM] So, if anybody wants to see what [WM] I agree. Thank you for your time with us!
you’re on the road so much… some people you’re up to, where can they look for
my output is probably more than it was in the
can write on the road easily, but I’ve never
found it to be easy because my heart is always
focused for the night. From the moment I wake
up I’m thinking about what I’m going to say that
night. So, I find it difficult to write when I’m on
the road.
Delirious would release a record every 2 years
with 12 songs on it. But it’s nice now to get into
a different season where I can be working on 50
or 60 songs a year, but with more collaboration
and team writing. I may send songs to Chris
Tomlin or Jason Ingram, or different people
around the world, and I’m really enjoying that.
[WM] How do you approach it when you’re
co-writing with someone and they come up
with something that you don’t like?
October 2017
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