Born in Essex, raised by the Devon seaside, and making his bones in the bars and clubs of Liverpool, John has released six studio albums with over 100 million Spotify streams. He has played to audiences all over the world in living rooms, festival tents and sold-out concert halls, barely pausing for breath during his eighteen years as a full-time independent touring musician. Steeped in the lineage of British folk and American guitar music, taking his cue from Richard Thompson, John Martyn and Ry Cooder, Smith has evolved a transatlantic blend of fingerstyle and slide guitar techniques. His deeply romantic and vivid songwriting combined with his innovative guitar work have won him a loyal following. His honey-on-gravel voice and mesmerizing fingerstyle guitar are unmistakeable. Sometimes using a slide, sometimes with guitar on his lap, sometimes detuning mid-song or pulling subtle expressions out of an array of effect pedals, Smith’s obsession with the instrument has made a master of him. Whether by way of an album or a live show, he always leads the listener on a viscerally emotional journey. His new single "The World Turns" is produced by Joe Henry and marks the beginning of a new chapter in Smith's music. "The Fray" (2021 album) and "The Fray Variations" (2022 EP) feature guests including Lisa Hannigan, Sarah Jarosz, Bill Frisell, The Staves and The Milk Carton Kids.
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John Smith plays contemporary British folk and acoustic roots music centered around intricate fingerstyle guitar and evocative storytelling.
John Smith was born in Essex, raised on the Devon coast, and developed his craft across the UK folk scene.
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