AJ Smith Looks Foward to Sharing New Music in 2022!

Interview By Lauren Elizabeth Campbell, Editor-in-Chief

AJ Smith started piano lessons at threeyears-old, and while so young, he would steal his parents' tape players to record some of his earliest compositions. Smith committed to pursuing every music opportunity available growing up an hour outside Denver, Colorado. He was a Young Associate Violinist to the National Symphony Orchestra, and eventually made his way to New York University to study music. Today, Smith is making pop music in Nashville, Tennessee.

Smith’s latest music video project, "Cooler," starring his real-life fiancée, shows his love for music and different sides of his personality. In the song, Smith shows his awkward, nerdy side while promising to be the cool, rocker his fans see onstage. On screen, the video tells the story perfectly while introducing fans to Smith.

Smith recently released his single, “Lonely Year,” which followed-up a single he released in 2020, “Confetti.” In honest songwriting form, “Lonely Year” reflects on the sadness brought on by 2021 ending.

"Last year, I wrote and released a song in that holiday gap between Christmas and New Years called “Confetti” - an anthem that celebrates both the little victories and the big wins because that can really be a challenge after feeling so isolated over the last two years," said Smith.

"Lonely Year" brings a more serious tone to Smith's songwriting, much different than his "Cooler" release.

"Honestly, the end of the year is always a bit weird for me, mental health-wise. Reflecting back on the goals that I had set for the year, but didn’t accomplish, missing the friends and family that we’ve lost along the way, thinking of my friends who went through breakups during COVID. So I wanted to release a song that shows the other side of this vulnerable coin at the end of the year. “Lonely Year” is out now. It’s a downer, I’m sorry! But, I think it has a message that a lot of us can relate to,” said Smith.

Jan. 31, Smith released a tribute song to his grandmother, "Grammy," a play on words for the GRAMMY Awards. The song is about Smith being grateful for his grandmother's support and her always showing up for him.

"My grandma has always been my biggest fan. And with the GRAMMYs getting pushed back from COVID, I thought it’d be awesome to celebrate the "OG Grammy" in my life, my abuelita! Ever since I was a kid, she’d show up to all of my school plays, band shows, put my mixtape CDs on for anyone and everyone who would listen. Some of my first fans were from her church, where she’d ask me to play any time I'd visit for a weekend. I haven’t gotten to see her much during COVID – I moved to a new city, Nashville, where I’m farther from family and between the distance and the COVID caution of not wanting to potentially spread this virus to my grandparents, I’ve missed her a lot and I know that’s a narrative that’s super common in this time with many even losing these extremely important people in their lives," said Smith.

Smith describes his influences, love of music, what he is most looking forward to in 2022, and what is next for him:

Has moving to Nashville influenced your music in any way?

I've always cared a lot about my lyrics, but that's taken an even bigger step up since moving to Nashville. I've also always been open to collaborating and love cowriting, but the music community in Nashville is so supportive, and the talent here is next level. So if you're co-writing often enough, you're only continuing to evolve and improve as a writer, producer, and artist.

Where did your love of music come from?

I think it's in my blood? My great-greatuncle is Ernesto Lecuona, one of Cuba's most influential composers! Our families lost touch when my Grandmother immigrated to the U.S., but I think there has to be some creative spark that comes from there. I started playing piano when I was 3-years-old, taking lessons from my godmother, and I haven't stopped ever since. Describe your latest single, "Loney Year."

What are you looking forward to most in 2022?

I feel like there's a constant pressure to exude happiness and joy, to continually push to develop personally and professionally, despite challenging times and circumstances that can leave grieving and true self-care at the bottom of a long to-do list. As we close 2021, I can't help but reflect on the extreme feelings of isolation that so many of us have experienced over the last couple of years. Funerals attended over zoom, birthdays missed, loved ones lost. "Lonely Year" is a vulnerable, honest song that talks openly about my struggles with my own mental health, and I hope that in its honesty, this song about loneliness can make other people feel a little less alone.

What was it like having your real-life fiancée star in your "Cooler" music video?

The absolute best. She's so talented and such a good sport. I really fell in love with filmmaking while creating my music videos over the last year, and it's so fun for me to have my fiancée in the leading role. It's a chance for both of us to do what we love together, and it's just a total blast.

What's next for you?

A lot more music. I've spent the last several years writing, producing, unearthing my "sound," and honing my voice. And I'm really excited to finally start to share that music in 2022. Keep up with AJ Smith on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter @AJSmithMusic, and stream "Lonely Year," "Cooler," and "Grammy" wherever music is available.