Born in 1986, Dan Smith is the frontman of the popular band Bastille. He began his musical journey by touring pub gigs and open mic nights before forming the band with Chris Wood, Kyle Simmons, and Will Farquarson in 2010. Their debut album, “All This Bad Blood,” which featured the global hit single “Pompeii,” reached No. 1 and became one of the best-selling records of 2013. With over 1 billion Spotify streams, Bastille has released four albums and Smith has collaborated with artists like Olly Murs and Rag’n’Bone Man. To commemorate their 10th anniversary, the band is currently touring their debut album this summer.
Reflecting on a childhood photograph, Smith shares how he was framed as a sporty kid, despite being the complete opposite. In a gendered manner, his school required boys to be photographed while kicking a ball and girls while shooting a ball into a netball hoop. Smith confesses that he was terrible at sports and felt self-conscious about it.
Smith’s parents have South African roots, with his mother being a folk singer who supported herself through law school with her music, and his father being the captain of every sports team. Smith inherited his mother’s creativity and pursued concert singing, as well as a love for art, video games, and comics. He fondly recalls his eccentric group of friends who shared an appreciation for offbeat music. His aspiration at the time was to become a film journalist and spent much of his time trying to introduce his friends to arthouse films.
Interestingly, football kept intertwining itself in Smith’s journey, as several of Bastille’s songs were featured in FIFA games. This led to an appearance on Soccer AM, a television show, where Smith had to take a penalty kick. Anxious about his lack of football skills, he missed the shot, which was seen by countless football fans across the country.
Being in a band often takes Smith out of his comfort zone. In the beginning, he focused on writing songs in his bedroom without considering where they would lead. However, performing on stage is an integral part of the music industry, and Smith had to adjust to this aspect. Despite feeling more comfortable as a member of the audience, he overcame his fears and had his first live gig through a friend’s recommendation. Although nervous, Smith persevered and received encouraging feedback.
Bastille’s rise to success was organic, with their music gaining traction through blogs while they played small venues and slept on people’s floors. Smith recounts feeling pessimistic and doubting the band’s chances of achieving significant success. The press also struggled to categorize their music, as it featured a mix of piano-based tracks and eclectic sounds. Eventually, Smith accepted their achievements and the fact that their songs became widely recognized across the globe.
Reflecting on the past and embracing a new tour, Smith acknowledges how he would have enjoyed certain moments more at the time. He expresses gratitude for the opportunity to revisit their first album and recounts a surreal experience performing in Dublin, where the crowd passionately sang along to every lyric. Smith, who battled anxiety in the early days of Bastille’s success, now approaches the stage with a sense of calm and appreciation.
Looking back on his childhood photograph, Smith recognizes the awkwardness and embarrassment he felt. However, he also acknowledges that those feelings may eventually fade away, leading to a shift in perspective.
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