Saying Aloha to Eli Smart
Photo by Megan Anderson
[UNPUBLISHED:] Congratulations on the release of Aloha Soul! I sincerely regretted not listening to the EP on the beach with the ocean crashing in the background, a book in one hand and a drink in the other. I can only help but imagine how your roots in Hawaii played a role in making me want to sit seaside and soak up the sun. What about Hawaiian culture has been the biggest influence on your music?
[ELI SMART:] In my experience music is deeply valued in Hawaiian culture, I’ve been able to connect with people through music here and it’s helped give me a sense of belonging in a beautiful community. I think the natural environment here has impacted me greatly as well, even just on a sonic level. The landscapes, the ocean and all the sensory details give me melodies, grooves and images too, it may sound kind of cheesy but it’s true!
[UNPUBLISHED:] Moving can be incredibly difficult, especially at the age of eighteen. What was one of the most important things that moving to Liverpool for university taught you?
[ELI SMART:] It was so exciting for me to move to such a beautiful city with a rich musical history. It really helped me learn how to be creative in a drastically different environment than I was used to. Developing the creative foil of the two environments has really helped keep songwriting fresh for me when working through demos.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Does songwriting feel different in Hawaii versus Liverpool or London? Is it easy to find inspiration in one place and hard in another?
[ELI SMART:] It does feel different! In a really cool way, helps keep it all fresh. Each environment helps me tap into a different mood in songwriting. It’s fun to start an idea in one place and finish it in another.
[UNPUBLISHED:] I think my favorite lyric of yours is “And you believe what you wanna see and you think you're free from it. Deep in your reality, but unfortunately, you're far from it. Oh, well, I'm just crying at the comedy” from “Cry At The Comedy.” Given the situation in the world since COVID, it honestly gave me goosebumps! I’m curious—Is there a reason you’re crying at a comedy and not, say, a movie theater?
[ELI SMART:] Thank you! So kind to say all that. In my mind actually I am in a movie theater watching some kind of tragic comedy.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Since I showed you mine, show me yours! Which lyrics featured on Aloha Soul are your favorite and which ones did you have the most fun writing?
[ELI SMART:] “See Through” was a very fun song to write, I always have a good time singing it. The second verse of “AM To PM” is always fun to sing too because it references the north shore of Kaua’i where I grew up. The lyric is “knock on my window and I’ll open the door, cruise on the weekend it’s supposed to be gorgeous on the north shore babe, sun kissed we chase it every day, you’re waving from the shade.”
[UNPUBLISHED:] Your voice has such incredible range and is absolutely stunning! How long did it take you to be able to reach your highest highs and lowest lows?
[ELI SMART:] That is so kind to say! Thank you! I’ve always enjoyed singing up high, I really love Prince and how epic his falsetto is. I would love to strengthen my range even more, I just really enjoy singing along to songs I love, I think I’ve gotten comfortable with singing high and low over time just doing that, and singing live!
[UNPUBLISHED:] What does making music mean to you?
[ELI SMART:] It’s a way for me to express my experience, whether it be through lyrics or just sonically. I enjoy feeling connected to the music I have grown up listening to and loving, making music allows me to try and synthesize the music I love and do my own version of it. It’s so much fun getting into making a tune.
[UNPUBLISHED:] In your Instagram bio, you have “be kind ” written. What do you think people can do to incorporate a little bit more kindness into each of their days?
[ELI SMART:] I think everyone’s gotta figure it out for themselves, I just try and be natural with people because it feels good to be kind. There’s nothing more important than actually connecting with people in a meaningful way.
[UNPUBLISHED:] I heard that one of your greatest influences is The Beatles. If you had to choose, who is your favorite member and, if you ever had the chance to meet him, what would you like to say to him?
[ELI SMART:] I do love love love the Beatles! I actually got the chance to meet Paul McCartney briefly at my graduation in Liverpool, my mind went blank and I just thanked him for everything, I think I accidentally called him “mate” because I was so nervous, so embarrassing!
[UNPUBLISHED:] Are there any parts of Hawaiian culture you wish to convey through your music in future releases?
[ELI SMART:] Although I grew up in Hawaii my family is not of Hawaiian heritage, I’m simply grateful to have grown up in such a beautiful and deep environment and community. I don’t feel it’s my place to actively convey Hawaiian culture through my music, however I feel honored to be able to reference it sonically in my own way that would hopefully inspire a listener to be curious and research more about Hawaii, it’s history and it’s beautiful culture if they wanted to. I really enjoyed learning more about the Hawaiian lap steel guitar and trying to write and record with it in ways that bring the sound into a different context. It’s such a fun instrument to play.
[UNPUBLISHED:] What is something you love that not many people may know about?
[ELI SMART:] I love spicy tomato juice!
[UNPUBLISHED:] Now, for the hardest question of all: cats or dogs?
[ELI SMART:] Cats!
