Logan Smith traverses the bordering stylistic lines between Progressive and Nostalgic and lands gracefully somewhere in-between. His creative intuition has led him to a musical discovery that implores his melodic finesse, and the profound sophistication he has gained notoriety for. But this isn't his most enamoring trait.
Logan has affluence for painting a vivid narrative with every new track that he releases. He focuses on real-life experiences, and on his latest upcoming feature, "Baby You Might Kill Me," the alluring songster versifies about toxic relationships that last a little longer then they should.
With a short and concise one minute tease, the vocally-infatuating and melodically driven, "Baby, You Might Kill Me," is painted over with a neon tinge that provokes wonder as Logan finds himself allured by the nostalgia dripping oldies projected over the enigmatic and glowing room he's in.
When he walks to the center and grabs hold of the microphone, it feels like we're witnessing a clandestine prophecy that's just been fulfilled: where a powerful voice finds its means for expression. It's immediately apparent that something is buzzing inside him worth singing about, and as he takes his first breath, a salacious instrumental reinforcement explodes from beneath the dark black static.
Logan sings reminiscent of a lover's longing canter, doused in introspection and passion, and rendered in a display that mirrors this song's alluring nature.
We can't ascertain too much about where Logan Smith will transport us, specifically through this video feature, but certainly, it's a ride we're dying to take both visually and sonically.
What is the primary sentiment you're trying to express through the buzzing expression you exude as you walk up to the microphone in the empyreal and phosphorescent room you're featured in for "Baby, You Might Kill Me"?
This moment is interesting because there are 2 versions of this moment happening simultaneously. One is dark and full of these deep neon lights. The other more naturally lit. We cut between them quickly to force the viewer to question which reality is true. As for the expression on my face, it’s a moment of discovery with space and the microphone. I take it in and observe how foreign it feels to all of the sudden be in a place where it seems people intend to listen to you. But then I unplug the microphone to acknowledge the fact that even when given a platform, even when you scream at the top of your lungs, sometimes people still can’t hear you.
How did you come up with the concept behind this Music Video, and did you draw some musical inspirations for the performance you illustrate on the Video?
Conceptually, I turned to the music. What was it telling me? I tried to listen from a totally unbiased perspective as if I hadn’t written it and take in the overarching themes of the song. Once I discovered that I looked at the world around me and asked myself where I saw those same themes. Everything became clear to me then. Lyrically, the song is about the complex dynamics of a toxic relationship. However, this video focuses more on the current political climate that we have been facing as of late. Taking a look at the awful situations that are looming over our heads and staring us in the face. The video stands as a call to action, the fact that it’s a piece of art means the viewer gets to decide what that call to action really is.
As for inspirations, I have a deep respect for producers Matty Healy and George Daniel of The 1975. I took note of their style a lot in the studio and also found that the way Matty moves his body on stage had worked its way into my own performance in the video.
How does this track and it's accompanying Visuals fit into the narrative you'll be exercising on your upcoming Extended Play, "Feels Right"?
Feels Right is the end of an era for me as an artist. This song sets the tone for the start of that chapter. It lives in the colorful neon world of the ’80s. It has the epic, anthemic feel of other songs on the record. But most of all, it marks the level of maturity I have reached in my sound and my artistry as a whole. This EP is a new level for me and this track and video sets that precedent for anyone who has followed my music up to this point.
What's stuck with you as the most impactful learning experience for you artistically or emotionally this year, and how have you incorporated that lesson into the new music you've been releasing?
Reclaiming my time. I gained a lot of self-respect in the last year. I used to be quite the people-pleaser. And I suppose in many ways, I still am. I like to see people happy. But I’ve learned that experiencing joy is a choice. And you make that choice by knowing that it’s okay to choose yourself sometimes. Especially when it’s for the betterment of your own mental health. That self-respect found it’s way into my writing process. I was no longer apologizing for things when I got bad reviews, I wasn’t jumping at the opportunity to change/cut something because it wasn’t popular, and I wasn’t writing for anyone else but myself. And that made a world of difference in the final product. I hope all of the hard work we all put in is audible on this record.
What has been keeping you inspired in 2020?
Seeing the world's resolve in the face of adversity. I said in an interview in 2018 that “tension promotes progress.” I still believe that today and I have seen so much tension in the battle that is 2020. But I have also seen so much light, positivity, and unity come out of it all. People are coming together to seek change for a better tomorrow despite all of the madness. In a year that tried to keep everyone apart and locked at home, we still found a way to come together. I’ll carry that with me for the rest of my life.