Musician and Grammy Award winner Sam Smith joins Jessie and Lennie Ware on a trip down memory lane in the first ever Table Manners episode. Topics include childhood food experiences, living without booze, and choosing a last supper. They also share funny moments and discuss pressures of live performances and their musical journey.
Sam Smith discusses the challenges of balancing artistic vision with commercial expectations in the music industry.
Sam Smith reflects on the importance of family, nostalgia, and tradition in their love for food and music.
Deep dives
Sam Smith's Musical Journey
Sam Smith reflects on their early career, starting with their first album and the challenges of balancing their own artistic vision with commercial expectations. They discuss the influence of their family, particularly their grandmother, on their love for food, and how meals with loved ones provided a creative space for sharing music. Sam also shares their desire to have children and talks about their involvement with War Child and their passion for adoption.
The Importance of Red T-Shirts
Sam Smith talks about the ever-changing music industry and the pressure to conform to current trends. They share a conversation with John Mayer, who advises them to keep making the music they believe in, even if it feels different from what others are doing. Sam also mentions their love for fish and chips as a comforting and nostalgic meal, and how it reminds them of their childhood and family traditions.
The Tranquil Moments of Irish Songwriting
Sam Smith discusses their collaboration with songwriter Jimmy Napes and the importance of finding their own voice as an artist. They recall a peaceful trip to Ireland where they wrote new songs that allowed them to reconnect with Jimmy and rediscover their artistic direction. Sam reflects on the anticipation and nerves that come with releasing an album and the need to balance the hype surrounding it.
Family Traditions and Christmas Meals
Sam Smith talks about their family traditions, including alternating Christmas celebrations between their parents. They express their love for sharing meals and the importance of conversation and connection at the dinner table. Sam also mentions their desire to have a Christmas dinner with their dad's family and the joy of preparing and enjoying festive meals together.
For the first of our Second Helpings episodes we take a trip down memory lane with the wonderful Sam Smith. We recorded this episode with Sam in 2017 and it was the very first Table Manners to exist! Over mum's turkey meatballs we talked about Sam's childhood food experiences, living without booze and what they would choose for their last supper. And they did a very scary impression of a movie icon too…! Sam we love you, come and join us again soon. Listeners, we hope you enjoy reminiscing with us.