What originally began as a solo project, Warwick Smith is an alt-pop duo (experimenting with rock influences) from Sydney featuring lead vocalist, guitarist and pianist Warwick Smith and drummer Luke El-Sabbagh (not confusing at all, promise!).
Warwick had already released an album ('A Premature Obituary') last year as a solo artist under his own name when he met Luke (scroll down for the story about that, which apparently changes with every interview they do).Given there were already socials set-up and a Spotify account, Warwick and Luke decided to push on under the 'Warwick Smith' moniker.
Since then, the duo have recorded a song 'I'm Not Angry Anymore' that went viral on TikTok and has amassed almost two million streams on Spotify.
Their most recent release is the poppy synth-pop track 'Vertigo' released in May. Now Warwick and Luke are prepping for their debut Sydney show later this month with both fingers and legs crossed that Sydney's current lockdown will be over by the time they're scheduled to play The Factory Theatre.
The Warwick Smith band story; how did you two come together to create music 'cause Warwick was already releasing solo material under his own name before Luke joined?
Warwick: We were both at a concert in 2020; I was bragging about my VIP status, he was doing discrete math on the floor and we locked eyes across the queue and we fell for each other.
We decided to have a baby together and that baby's name was music. But yeah that story is actually true, we met at a concert and a few weeks later we met up through a group chat and started playing music together.
Luke: Warwick confused me for a douche from the concert but then he came to the cafe I worked at, realised who I was and sat there for the entire eight-hour shift so all was forgiven.
For newcomers, what's the band's elevator pitch re: sound, style?
Warwick: Imagine a kid who never learnt any musical theory, but his parents bought him a bunch of instruments and music software.
Now imagine another kid with the exact same situation and they come together and create a rock band where they just write the most depressing and cryptic lyrics with super upbeat pop-like instrumentals. That's us.
Luke: So 100 per cent authentic folk music.
Warwick: Not that.
How often do you get confused for being a solo artist; does the confusion multiple when people realise one of you is Warwick Smith? And if so, is it annoying yet?
Warwick: It's a pretty standard thing to happen, especially once they realise I'm Warwick and Luke obviously isn't. I don't think it's gotten to an annoying level yet since we can quickly explain why and how it happened.
Luke: But it also means that we can come up with a funny little explanation for every show we play.
The viral TikTok action your song 'I'm Not Angry Anymore' received; was that simply a lucky coincidence or did you create the song hoping it would go viral? And has it led to any unusual collaborations / connections?
Warwick: It's funny that it's become our staple single considering how little effort went into it.
It was literally a 15-minute recording session in my childhood bedroom solely to create our profile on streaming services; it was in all honesty supposed to be something we left in the dirt. Or I, since Luke wasn't there yet.
Luke: I was. . . He just didn't see me.
Fave 'I'm Not Angry Anymore' TikTok video?
Warwick: I think the ironic thing is that we both don't have TikTok on our phones so we haven't seen any of the videos, maybe we should go check it out.
Warwick and Luke go watch approximately 300 videos on TikTok made to the song.
Warwick: Huh. Well look at that. My favourite is definitely one made by user sophierogers239 that simply uses the lyrics to describe how they felt after Star Lord messed everything up in Avengers: Infinity War. Love me some MCU content.
Luke: Macklin. You've done it again.
Warwick: People aren't gonna get that reference, but that's alright. We're gatekeepers at heart.
@sophierogers239 Do you blame Peter for infinity war and endgame? ##marvel##avengers##gardiansofthegalaxy##peterquill##starlord##infinitywar##endgame ♬ I'm Not Angry Anymore - Warwick Smith
Let's chat influences/ inspirations – what do you each throw into the bowl when you're creating new music?
Warwick: We both came together with similar musical interests, that kind of 2010s alternative style; Panic! At The Disco, Twenty One Pilots and so on. These days I feel we're really bringing more of a hard rock sound into the music and then softening that for our audience.
Luke: Over the years I have been trying to slowly convert Warwick onto these more rocky bands like Muse, Nothing But Thieves, Waterparks and even The Killers. I have a success rate of about 50 per cent, but hey that's a passing grade. The songwriting process between you two; how do you like to collaborate?
Warwick: It's been really interesting to collaborate with Luke on songs ever since he joined me because I've always written alone. So to have Luke come in and kind of challenge my writing and try and elevate it or find a different way to say something than I would have chosen has been both odd but extremely valuable.
I've been trying to push Luke to write more for a while, so it's nice to see him coming out of his shell with him writing the drums and some lyrics now.
Luke: Recently, I have been stealing Warwick's files and adding my own drum lines onto them. I don't think he has noticed yet.
In all seriousness, sometimes when we write songs together it's a little hard for me to give input especially on lyrics because Warwick has a certain way of singing that doesn't always fit with the flows I suggest. It can be tough to talk about sincere feelings when another guy is saying it on your behalf.
'Vertigo' is your current single; how does this song showcase the current Warwick Smith style-sound?
Warwick: Like we mentioned, we're becoming more rock inspired so this song definitely shines a light on the future of our music, at this time at least, quite accurately.
I think our sound will always evolve and that's what will keep us interesting but for now, 'Vertigo' is the perfect single to show our listeners how we've reinvented ourselves over the last year.
Luke: I think 'Vertigo' does the best job in showing how Warwick and I can come together to make a song as it's the most we've both ever put into a song mixing almost the whole thing in the same room.
Is another album in the works; if so, how will it compare to your 2020 album 'A Premature Obituary'?
Warwick: Another album? Sure we can shed some sunlight on that. I want to start by saying I'm extremely proud of 'A.P.O' as what it was. A debut, bedroom album that taught me how to write and mix for an audience.
But our next project will absolutely be more polished, more advanced and in a word, better. Whenever this next album releases, I think our listeners will be surprised with the evolution we've gone through.
Luke: Let's just say the future's looking real bright.
Later this month, you have your debut Sydney live show (fingers crossed COVID gets the memo); you both must be pumped to get on stage and share your songs with a live audience?
Warwick: I'm so excited. Some of our favourite bands have performed on the very stage we'll be on, so it's quite daunting but I think we're using that to fuel our excitement and motivate ourselves to make it the most theatrical and entertaining concert our audience has ever seen.
Luke: Performing is by far my favourite thing to do; playing an instrument has always been how I relieve stress and it's just so amazing that I get to do that in front of people who care enough to come out and watch.
Anything extra special planned for the show?
Warwick: We've been messing around with different theatrical aspects for this specific show. Costume changes are a big part of it and the show will give audiences an early look into our next direction. We're also excited to introduce a new character, of sorts.
Luke: I'm optimistic about being able to play guitar.
Warwick: That's true. There's a moment in the show where he leaves the kit and just shreds a solo.
In your promo image, both of your shirt games are strong; do you each have a nice collection of shirts in your wardrobe?
Warwick: I think it's safe to say based on our last online shop, our collections of purple and yellow apparel are pretty nice. A fresh new wardrobe for a fresh new era.
Luke: It's all sitting on a ping pong table right now, but lemme just say that table is looking real fine.
What's the one chore you dislike the most?
Warwick: I can't stand folding clothes. You're just gonna wear them again by the end of the week. Who benefits from them being folded? The clothes?
Luke: I've been trying to answer this question for over ten minutes so, I'm going to say this question right now. I'm genuinely stumped. I do no chores. Warwick folds all my laundry and that's about all there is to do in life.
Do you have any phobias... please explain?
Warwick: I don't think I've ever talked about this, but my biggest fear is whales. Or really any oversized water-based mammal. Megalodon, Mosasaurus, that kind of thing. Anything that big isn't taking out cruise ships by choice, not lack of ability. Terrifying.
Luke: Can't stand wet garbage bags, even if it's just water they gross me out. I feel like I have to bring a hairdryer every time I take out the trash, just so I can dry any potential wetness on the bag.
Last show you binge-watched?
Warwick: I'm on what I'd assume is my eighth rewatch of 'Supernatural' right now, but Luke and I also tend to binge-watch a few of the same absurdist comedy shows, at the same time, so we can keep our humour in-sync; for example, 'How I Met Your Mother', 'The Office', 'Archer'.
Luke: I don't even know how many times I've watched 'Archer'. It's so witty and fast-paced that even on the tenth rewatch you notice little, clever details you've never seen before. Oh, and the lead voice actor, H. Jon Benjamin, does such a good job at playing the titular main character.
Thanks for your time; anything else you'd like to add?
Warwick: We hope to see you at a show sometime, definitely come say hi if you see us (providing COVID allows that). Oh and we're absolute frisbee champions, I want that on the record. We can bounce a frisbee off walls and still catch them like Captain America. Frisbee might be our career choice if music doesn't pan out.
Luke: We are currently appealing to the International Olympic Committee for the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics to include wall-bounce-frisbee in the roster, so that we can show off our skills.
Warwick Smith play The Factory Theatre (Sydney) 24 July.
