John Smith, Lisa Hannigan, The Staves

Biography

John Smith is an English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist born in Essex and raised on the Devon seaside. He began his music career playing in clubs around Liverpool, developing his intimate songwriting style characterized by a 'honey-on-gravel' voice that conveys themes of beauty, melancholy, hope, forgiveness, retribution, and sadness. His influences include folk legends Richard Thompson, John Martyn, Eric Clapton, Maria Callas, and Nick Drake, shaping his pioneering guitar playing and British folk roots with Americana elements.[1][5][6]

Smith's career advanced through extensive international touring and session work, supporting and collaborating with artists like John Martyn, Joan Baez, David Gray, Tom Jones, Jackson Browne, Patty Griffin, Sarah Jarosz, the Milk Carton Kids, Lianne La Havas, Joe Henry, and Lisa Hannigan, for whom he frequently played guitar. His sixth album, The Fray (2021), recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios and co-produced with Sam Lakeman, featured remote vocal contributions from Lisa Hannigan, Sarah Jarosz, Bill Frisell, the Milk Carton Kids, Courtney Hartman, and Jessica Staveley-Taylor of the Staves during the pandemic. Later releases like Gatherings (2025) revisited early songs with guests including Lisa Hannigan, The Staves, Siobhan Miller, and Dan Mangan, solidifying his status in the UK contemporary folk scene.[1][2][3][4][5]

Known for over 80 million Spotify streams and masterful live performances, Smith's legacy lies in his honest, story-driven songs that blend folk traditions with innovative production, earning acclaim as one of the elite in modern British folk music.[1][3][4]

Fun Facts

• John Smith wrote standout track 'Eye to Eye' on The Fray while driving a rental car from Asheville to Nashville during a pre-pandemic tour.[5]
• His album The Fray was created remotely during the 2021 pandemic shutdown, with international collaborators sending vocal contributions across borders.[1][5]
• Gatherings (2025) marks 20 years since Smith began his solo career, reimagining songs from his first three albums with high-profile guests.[3]
• Smith has amassed over 80 million Spotify streams despite the niche 'spoken word' genre tag in some contexts, highlighting his acoustic folk prowess.[4]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• John Martyn - greatest inspiration and early supporting artist (opened for Martyn; influence on Gatherings) [early 2000s onward]
• Richard Thompson - major stylistic inspiration (general influences on songwriting and guitar) [career-spanning]

Key Collaborators

• Lisa Hannigan - frequent touring partner, guest vocalist, mutual session guitar work (The Fray ('Star-Crossed Lovers'), Gatherings ('Salty And Sweet', 'To Have So Many'), her albums) [2010s-2025]
• The Staves (Jessica Staveley-Taylor) - guest vocalist and harmonies (The Fray, Gatherings ('To Have So Many', 'Great Lakes')) [2021-2025]
• Sarah Jarosz - guest vocalist, co-writer, supported her live (The Fray, co-wrote 'Eye to Eye' with Sarah Siskind) [2021 onward]
• Sam Lakeman - longtime production collaborator and friend (The Fray) [2021]
• Bill Frisell - guest guitarist (The Fray ('The Best of Me')) [2021]

External Links

• Spotify