10 Questions with Diva Smith

Diva Smith: I’m very excited! This is a body of work that really shows who I am, and I think it accurately represents me right now. I’ve been playing it for a while; I was just on tour with Carol Ades and now I’m on tour with Holly Humberstone. I’m just really excited for people to hopefully attach to, relate to, and enjoy [it] in their own time. It’s a lot more upbeat than the other work I’ve put out, and it’s definitely inspired by playing live more and wanting those songs to be a little more upbeat, fun and poppy.

DS: I was in a happy relationship throughout the writing and recording process, which makes you write a different kind of song. In that relationship, though, I only really knew how to write sad things, so I was like, “How is this going to work?” I think that translated into writing about a lot of different things, not just heartbreak. I wrote about other experiences that are deeper and more intense, like growing up or anxiety. My goal was to do that in a way that’s still fun. I think it was more of a musical shift than a lyrical one in terms of the whole project.

DS: That’s a really nice question. I think that, in general, I’m very similar, which is really interesting. For the music video for “Still the Kid”, there’s a lot of baby footage in it, and I was going through it a couple weeks ago for the video. Just seeing myself up until probably age six or seven, I was so performative. I always wanted to be on a stage, singing and at the very center of attention. Completely carefree. I think that part of me kind of faded a little as I got older.

Naturally, over time I started becoming self-aware and also developed anxiety. I think a big part of this era of my life is doing things that little me would do: wanting to be on stage, wanting to show my true self, having no reservations and no regrets. I really actively make a choice every day to choose her, and remind myself that’s my core, and she’s definitely still there. It’s been really therapeutic and beautiful to have that revelation.

DS: The biggest difference between this era and the work I released last year is the visuals. After I put those songs out [last year], I realized that I really wanted to hone in on the creative side in collaboration with the visuals. As a consumer, that’s always been so important to me: world building.

DS: We met through a mutual friend, and we’ve become really close. Having someone who actually understands me as a person makes a world of difference. She knows (probably better than me in some ways) the things that accurately represent who I am and how to show my best self. Even just the way she can direct me on camera, or the way we figure out concepts and bring them to life - it’s been a huge change for me.

I’ve never had a consistent creative collaborator until now. She’s so talented and has no limits. For the “Still The Kid” video, she learned how to use a completely new film camera, and for “Two Step”, we spent days and days collaging. She’s just a very thoughtful person, which I think translates really well. I love everything we’ve put out together.

DS: I’m still at the stage of my career where I’m speed-dating with a lot of songwriters and producers, so a lot of these sessions took a day or two. Then, I brought them all to Couros, the producer who ended up working with me on the whole project. He was based in London at the time, while I wrote a lot in LA.

I wrote “Still the Kid” in LA with Emily Haber - we actually recorded that one in LA. “End of It All” came together with the help of Ella Jane and Josh Mehling, and again I finished it with Couros. Writing the songs and producing were very separate, which was an interesting new way to do things, and I actually really enjoyed it. Being able to focus on the song as its own thing and make sure it turned out the way I wanted was great. I could go into both aspects with a clearer head and more of a vision, because it wasn’t all in one go.

DS: I feel very lucky to have started touring with two artists that have die-hard fan bases and are just incredible. The majority of their fans are probably young women, so I couldn’t ask for a better room. Both of them are so thoughtful, caring and passionate about their fan bases, and I’ve learned so much just from watching them. Carol does VIP before every show. In Toronto, she sat on stage and did soundcheck with a couple of fans, just sitting [with them] and singing. She really invites fans in a way that’s so comforting and warm, and that’s exactly how I’d want to be welcomed as a fan. Holly also talks to every fan after the shows. They’re both just really good people.

Being around artists [like them] who clearly have been on the other side of it and are big fans of music themselves has been really beautiful. Even the way they stay so grounded is inspiring. On top of all of that, their fan bases are amazing. For both Carol and Holly, I’ve seen the same people at multiple shows, traveling around, front row, and I’m like, ‘Did I grow up with you? Why do I know your face?’ They’re singing all the words, which is crazy, and that’s another amazing part of opening for artists with such dedicated fan bases. They do their research, they care, they get there early, and they really trust Carol’s or Holly’s taste and opinion. That’s a huge goal for me: to have a fan base like they do.

DS: Rose Paradise! She’s amazing, and such a good friend of mine. I’m obsessed with her songwriting. We went to NYU together. Another NYU friend, Emory, is incredible. She’s on tour with Lorde in her band.

Not that she needs me saying her name, but Eli, too. I’ve been listening to her every day.

DS: I’m in a phase of life where I’m trying to say yes to more things, like going to get coffee with someone you don’t really feel like seeing, or going to that party, or playing a show that doesn’t really make sense for you to be on the bill. Why not? Especially with this ‘Still the Kid,’ younger-self era, I want to make sure I have no regrets as I get older, and that I’ve taken all the opportunities I can. A lot of the time, that’s where the strangest, best things come from. So, out: self-consciousness, in the same vein.

DS: We’re working on two headline shows in LA and New York, which I’m very excited about. Hopefully touring more, too. Holly and Carol’s tours are my first time really being on the road, and I’m really enjoying it. Meeting new people is the best part of this, and [it’s] the part I haven’t been able to actualize until now.

I’m also looking forward to writing, meeting new collaborators, and also continuing to finish other music. There are a lot of songs I really love that I haven’t had time to put the finishing touches on.

DS: Aw, thank you so much lovely! Great to talk to you.