Brisbane-based musician Your Man Alex Smith aims to create a perfect blend of musical theatre and rock. With catchy hooks that cleverly incorporate thoughtful lyrics, Alex’s genre-hopping theatrical rock provides a story-driven experience filled with emotion. Inspired by bands such as Queen, Meat Loaf, Pink Floyd, and The Protomen, his sound is often compared to that of They Might Be Giants and Ben Folds. Alex is particularly grateful to the members of his Patreon community, as their support significantly enhances his connection with his audience and helps fund the production of his music and videos.
I’ve been watching Your Man Alex Smith from a distance, having first discovered him while heading up OzNow Radio. Check out what he had to say during our recent chat.
What initially inspired you to start making music?
“Funnily enough, the movie ‘Ray’. I’d always grown up in a home with lots of music. My dad has an enviable record collection and my mum always blasted songs through the house on the weekends so I grew up with a healthy love of music. But it never occurred to me that I could write my own songs. After watching ‘Ray’ the Ray Charles biopic I just felt incredibly inspired and decided to just try writing something! The first song I wrote was called ‘moonlight magic’ about a very nice full moon I saw. It sucked. But it was the first step on a long journey to where we are today!”
How did learning an instrument complement your ability to express yourself vocally in your music?
“Even though everything I’ve ever out out makes me look like guitar is my primary instrument of choice, I’m actually much more comfortable on the piano. I spent my lunch hour in high school teaching myself how to play in the rehearsal rooms at art block. Guitar was objectively ‘cooler’ and the more rock and roll instrument but the way the notes overlapped on each other was confusing. I found that piano is beautiful in its simplicity ‘this key is above this one so the note is higher than the other’ It also helped me visualise how music and chords work. Once I had the building blocks of how chords worked, commonly used intervals and how to replicate them, it became easier to make the music in my head a reality. Once I figured out how to get what was in my head out into the real world, it was a complete game changer.”
How do your personal experiences and emotions influence the way you write and produce your music?
“I think it’s a blessing and a curse really. I have exceptional difficulty writing when I don’t feel a connection to what I’m writing. Many people over the years have asked me to write things for them, I’m even writing two musicals for people right now! And unless I can find my own personal truth in it, it is really difficult to write anything (that I think is any good). Which to me makes me feel like a hack. It’s easy to be a writer when you’re inspired, what separates the professionals from the amateurs is the discipline. The ability to do it even when you don’t want to. I really struggle with my discipline. But when you’re riding that sweet inspiration high! Hoo boy! The things you can do!”
Can you share a specific performance or milestone that you felt truly marked a turning point in your musical journey?
“There are things that I’m really proud of! Opening for Tyler Hilton & Kate Voegelle to a sold out show was an awesome experience. I even swayed a few of that crowd to enjoy my music to this day (Hi Kayla!) Andrew Strong at the Eaton’s Hill hotel was also a fantastic night. I think a ‘turning point’ for me though was when I staged ‘Slow Burn’ as a theatre performance. I’d always felt it was strong as a concept album but afterwards people were telling me about how they finally connected with the story in a way that they hadn’t before. Multiple people even said ‘this is the best thing you’ve ever done’. The common feedback over the years is that my stuff is a little more ‘showtuney’ than the average musician so hearing the positive response to that show was an ‘aha’ moment for me. That’s why the next album is being launched AS a stage show and was written with that in mind. People think my stuff has been musical theatre, just wait.”
Has there ever been a time when you doubted your career path, and if so, how did you push through those doubts?
“Constantly. After the first 2-3 years of giving 110% of myself to the music and seemingly not getting anywhere it is really difficult. You grow up, you get more bills, more responsibilities and you start having to sacrifice more and more to keep things rolling. I’ve been ‘about to give up’ for about 10 years. But in that time I’ve played countless gigs, released music videos, put on a stage show and about to do another. I think being about to give up is just part of being a musician in an industry that is incredibly unforgiving and competitive. Every time I feel myself wanting to throw in the towel I just think about all the things left that I want to do and I tell myself ‘ok well when I’m done then I’ll stop’ and I’m just not done yet.”
What exciting goals or projects do you have lined up for 2025, and how do you plan to push your music to new heights?
“My newest album ‘Empty Chair’ was released on Friday 14th March. It is easily my most ambitious album yet, with a 30 piece choir of talented Brisbane musical theatre performers, as well as sessions musicians like an entire brass section, a banjo player, and the Cape Town Philharmonic orchestra! We had live instruments doing as much as possible and exceptionally talented featured vocalists! All of this was only possible because of my Patrons. And the accompanying stage show co produced by Phoenix Ensemble is something I’m really excited by. It’s a look into my lived experience with borderline personality disorder with a fantastic light show, an ensemble of amazing performers and of course tunes by yours truly! It’s something you don’t wanna miss so get your tickets before they’re all gone (It’s a limited run!).”
Stream ‘Empty Chair’ now on your favourite music streaming platform; you’ll find it on Spotify and Apple Music.
