I think it's safe to say that when we examine teen idols in popular culture, we're often forced to wonder what qualities help them to achieve that elevated status. It's also safe to say that very often we find that what lurks behind the pretty faces is often much fluff and a lack of real substance. At first glance, Will Sid Smith might evoke the same reaction that we have to these glorified icons. He has the charming good looks of a matinee idol and the stance and swagger of the archetypical rock star youth with a guitar---A magazine cover face a prepubescent girl or boy might hide under the covers to pull out and swoon over in the secrecy of a lonely room...Nonetheless, there is an amazing phenomenon about this young man. His music and songs display a sensitivity and maturity that would be common to a songwriter/singer who is much older and has experienced more life than a mere 18 years on this planet. Indeed, the passion in his voice would seem to be channeled from a source from a previous life. In talking at length to this young man.. his maturity and keen intellect become charmingly evident as does his sense of humor. Will Sid Smith is the real deal and get ready for a RAWKING tribute to our Ginger Snap when he records her favorite song: FANCY!

Tell us about your childhood...do you come from a musical family? When did you decide that you wanted to pursue music?

I had a great childhood. Great school, great friends and a loving family. Although I don’t come from a musical family at all, I remember being highly encouraged towards practicing some form of music, and it was something that hit me like nothing else – any music that I could listen to I loved. When I was six, I began playing the violin, hard work, but it gave me the push and the knowledge about theory in particular that I’ve found incredibly useful on my journey. And in later years I joined the choir, then guitar and so on... I haven’t come from a musical home, but I think I helped to make one. As for pursuing, I don’t know when exactly, but I decided to make music my bitch when I had my first guitar lesson, and then my fingers and throat took me from there.

What was your school experience like? Were you treated any differently by your peers because of your talent?

My primary school was a small, warm community of kids that I felt eternally comfortable with, however when I started secondary school, the atmosphere was very different---big school, big kids, big change. From early on, I was regarded as the ‘singer’ in the year which was nice most of the time, but because of the name Will Smith, some asshole would often insist that I sing the Men in Black theme tune to him, which was never fun. Also, finding out I was bisexual at 14 in an all boys school was a bit of a challenge, I’m not going to lie, but I’ve always been really comfortable with my sexuality so that made it easier.

When songwriters are as young as you are, people often wonder from where they might draw their inspiration...Who or what inspires you?

It might sound cheesy, but it’s the people in my life that have really inspired me, the charisma that I see in all of them, and the problems they have to face in this world, not to mention the things that I’ve had to endure during adolescence. These are the things that inspire me to write, but with the experience of going to gigs and playing, I also have to thank my fans for that. Knowing that there are people out there who get the same pleasure as I do when I listen to my favorite artists really warms my heart.

When I was young, I always went for the musicians in school...Do you find that being a performer gets you more girls?

It seems that might be the case with a lot of guys, but I think I’m just too shy in the dating department to ever exploit this phenomenon.

What, besides music, do you find really enjoyable as a pastime?

I love wasting hours watching ridiculous stuff on the Internet; I walk my dog; I’ve started cycling a lot recently; it makes me feel good and it’s a great way to stay in shape ... Plus I read a lot of Psychology texts – my other aspiration in life is to be a Clinical Psychologist. It’s very important to me. I love hanging out with friends; also just to get in my car and drive is always fun.

When you sit down to write a song, what usually comes first, music or lyrics?---and what do you do when you get stuck?

The music always comes first, I feel putting words to music is easier for me, but as I’m writing a song, I figure out music for one part of the structure, and then put words to it, then repeat the process. Sometimes I’ll be sitting in my room for hours singing the same lines over and over again to get the next one of out my head and onto paper, but when I’m really stuck, I watch TV, and then I have to go back to it, because if I leave it for more than 12 hours or so the magic is gone.

What scares you?

Spiders scare the shit out of me. I had a bad experience with a big, fat, hairy one when I was about two. Now I’ll be scared of them forever. I also get scared when I can’t see through dirty water or the sea, because I have no idea what’s in there

What turns you on?

Maybe my first answer is a bit TMI so let's just say kissing without tongue is my favourite, along with innocent groping under the covers.

What makes you sad?

Seeing animals in pain, teen suicide and Titanic

How will you deal with being a teen idol? What will you do with your first million?

I’ll probably live my life exactly the way I do now, but I’m definitely moving out of the house first. I bought my first lottery ticket recently and I heard some girl did the same at the same time and she won a million, so it got me to thinking what I would do with a million. I'd probably buy a little cottage in Cornwall, so it’s there for life, whenever I need it. Then I would buy a nice car and stash the rest away for a rainy day.

(Of course) Describe yourself in three words

Independent. Sensitive. Curious.

What is your favorite song? Favorite type of music? Is there any music that you find you don't like to listen to?

Such a difficult question, I mean, it’s really hard to pick one in a million, but I have to say ‘Any Other Name’ by Thomas Newman. He wrote the soundtracks for American Beauty, Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, tons of shit, and they’re all amazing scores, but this piece in particular is something so phenomenal it’s like an angel whispering the meaning of life into your ear. That’s what it’s like for me anyway... every time. I love classical music, I find so much beauty in its timelessness, and hearing strings always melts my heart. I honestly like all genres of music, from classical to dubstep, but there will always be songs of any genre that I’m not crazy about.

Besides Tara Rez, describe the perfect girl.

I saw Tara at a gig we were playing a little while ago and she just blew me away, even in sound check she is perfect! In my opinion, the perfect girl doesn’t try to change herself to fit the ego of man or image of woman. Instead she embraces what she feels and emphasizes the things she loves most about herself, so she can never be torn down or believe she’s worthless.

Will you make Ginger Coyote happy and do a cover version of "Fancy" by Bobbie Gentry for her ever?

Definitely! I love that song. I would be happy to do a cover for Ginger, especially if you’ll do backing vocals on it. Actually I have to do an acoustic multi – track piece of coursework for my Music Technology course next year with horns and all that jazz and now I’ve decided I’m doing ‘Fancy’.

Finally, what message do you want to send out to the readers of Punk Globe?

I want to say thanks so much to Ginger and everyone working to get me some decent exposure. I am grateful to you all. Look me up everyone on www.willsidsmith.com, I hope you enjoyed your reading! And thanks Donna for your amazing questions. Peace.

Punk Globe Would like to thank Donna Destri for taking the time out from her busy recording schedule to interview Will Sid Smith...