British rock giants Foals will take to the stage at Fortitude Valley Music Hall next month after the Sandstone Point version, Heaps Good, was reimagined to Secret Sounds. Jimmy Smith spoke with Yelo music editor Penny Brand ahead of his show on January 2.

Sitting at home in sunny California, Foals rhythm guitarist Jimmy Smith tells me leads a pretty simple life: walking his dog, hanging with his girlfriend, writing music, and enjoying the odd margarita.

Smith has been caught in a new-wave of sober-conscious folk; an alternative approach to alcohol consumption which appeared to sweep the world post-pandemic, when people were seeking better ways to self-care.

Since the Oxford band formed in 2005, Smith had been living the quintessential life of a rockstar; breaking open the booze every night and living a lifestyle he says only Keith Richards could keep up with.

Never peformed sober

He said it was a realisation in 2021 that he’d never done a show sober that really stopped him in his tracks.

“I wasn’t enjoying being hungover on stage,” Smith said.

“I’m not totally sober that’s for sure, I’ve just tried to change the way I drink, and with alcohol and performing and touring.

“Basically to not rely on alcohol for confidence.”

Partying on stage sans-tipple for the first time was overwhelming, he said.

“Having to stand up in front of a load of people, without your trusted thing, it was terrifying.”

The pandemic wake-up call

However, since the Covid-19 lockdowns shut down the entire music industry people had moved in a healthier direction, he said.

“The early days of the industry it was was all rock and roll, but now I feel like it’s totally changed, the message is totally the opposite now.

“No body seems to smoke and drink. It’s not the same.”

Schedules secret to success

Smith keeps goals to help him stay on a less boozy path.

“I have a plan wherever we tour, and when I have the biggest show, I’ll make sure I do that one sober.

“And I always do the first tour show sober. If you do that you can choose whether you can have a drink or not.

“Control it, then once you’ve got a handle on it you make better decisions, you start feeling better… it’s a sure fire thing.

“You’ll probably be a better performer for it.”

He’s most thankful for the “structure” that has come with his band’s enormous success.

“I have some direction in my life… lots of structure which is good.

“Especially with the band and touring.

“Touring was all about micro-routines and having the same thing every day, and everything goes into the performance.”

Advice to the mini-Foals

When I asked Smith what advice he gave to younger musicians trying to breakout, he assured me that the Foals had “paid their dues”, too.

“In the first five years in the band, we got lucky, so we did get signed up quickly, but we put the work in.

“We would have got signed at some point because we kept going.

“If opportunity comes knocking, take it. Don’t miss it. I’ve seen people lose things.”

He said to take advice from people in the industry, but not take it to heart.

“As soon as money gets involved thats acidic to any character. Stick to your guns, play every show as though it’s your last one; enjoy it.

“Keep doing your own thing.”

Smith said creating music had always been “massively therapeutic”.

“I write more upbeat music when I’m sad, and sadder music when I’m happy, it’s weird.”

Fave song to play?

“2001 off the new album. It’s got a really warm glow to it, and you can see everyone dab dancing to it, like parents at a house party.”

Fave quote?

“Hell is other people.”

End of interview.

Heaps Good Festival tickets?

If you had tickets to Sandstone Point’s Heaps Good Festival you can rest assured the good people behind it have pushed ahead to have the event at Fortitude Music Hall – now called Secret Sounds!

Secret Sounds:

TWO HUGE LINEUPS OVER TWO HUGE DAYS:
Brisbane | 2 & 3 January | Fortitude Music Hall

Tickets on sale now: secretsounds.com

January 2

FOALS, DECLAN MCKENNA, GRIFF, SYCCO, FELONY.

British rockers Foals head to Australia armed with a UK #1 album, five Top 3 records and the 2020 BRIT Award for Best Group. Having previously headlined iconic festivals such as Glastonbury, Latitude, Reading and Leeds, Foals are now gearing up for an unforgettable night in Brisbane. Declan McKenna will ignite the stage with his euphoric set and feel-good tunes, while the new queen of British pop Griff impresses with her accomplished live show, proving why the Award-winning artist is one of the UK’s biggest breakthrough acts right now. Sycco aka First Nations artist/writer/producer Sash McLeod brings her pop-driven, psych-infused, dance-inducing electronica and local emerging artist FELONY. will show you why she earned a spot in the triple j Unearthed High Yearbook and a nomination for a 2023 QMA.

January 3

THE AVALANCHES, SBTRKT, HOLLY HUMBERSTONE, MAY-A, LOGAN

There are few living artists as influential and wholly original as The Avalanches. Their 2000 debut album Since I Left You laid the blueprint for the future of sample-based music in the 21st century, they’ve released cult-famous mixtapes and records since and have performed at some of the biggest festivals in the world. It’s sure to be one joyous occasion when The Avalanches hit the stage at The Fort. Critically acclaimed act SBTRKT will hit Brisbane with tracks from his latest release The Rat Road under his belt, while Holly Humberstone is also along for the ride, with her bare-all storytelling in tow. Homegrown hero MAY-A will bring a fresh set of tracks from her sophomore EP Analysis Paralysis, after up-and-coming multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer and songwriter Logan opens proceedings.

Tickets are just $99.90 per day. This offer is strictly limited to the Black Friday sale. Check this offer out and exclusive pre-release tickets to Splendour In The Grass, Harvest Rock and many more Secret Sounds Black Friday specials at secretsounds.com.

Main photo: Rashidi Noah