INTERVIEW: New Album from Maverick Smith

Hailing from Weirton in West Virginia, Maverick Smith are a band that stands at the crossroads of musical honesty and constant sonic exploration. Known for their no-frills, live-recorded energy, the group forged a creative world entirely their own by blending indie rock, southern grit, orchestral flair and an experimental streak resulting in a sound that breaks free of any genre boxes.

Maverick Smith are driven by purpose, with proceeds from their music going to the Harmony Health Foundation, a cause dedicated to improving healthcare access for underserved communities and that sense of connection, both musical and human, runs through everything they do. Their debut release, With Friends and Imperfections, was an ambitious, expansive project featuring 22 musicians, earning acclaim that quickly raising their profile. LA’s WKIM branded it “legendary and genius,” a big statement, but one that begins to make sense when you dig into their sonic scope.

Now, with their second full-length outing titled We Make Fire They Make Smoke, Maverick Smith double down on their vision, delivering an album that crackles with bold contrasts and relentless heart. Kicked off with opening track “Sinking Feeling,” the band set the tone with a blues-drenched slow burner that simmers with unease, unfurling in live-take textures. With delicate piano tones, the steady shuffle of drums and elegant strings, emotive vocal leads drift above to cast a timeless rock outing that’s moving and memorable in equal measure.

Injecting punchy swagger with “Feel It Back,” the band lays down a heavy groove-driven track that pulses with attitude; equal parts southern stomp and alternative rock snarl. “Open Up Your Mind” glides into a dreamier sphere, layering strings over indie rock tones with a warmth that recalls early aughts chamber pop without ever losing the band’s impactful aesthetic.

On “Mary Lou,” the band links with with Ken Stringfellow to deliver an uptempo pop-tinged rock anthem brimming with catchy vocal hooks and invigorating energy. “Too Smart Too Dumb” is where Maverick Smith really flex their sharpest songwriting with slick rhythms interlocking beneath a witty lyrical bite, showcasing the band’s ability to be both intricate and infectious.

Just when you think they’ve shown all their cards, they close with “So What Who Cares,” a track that leans into alternative country defiance and southern rock soul, rounding out the record with a satisfying, scrappy finale that’s sure to leave a lasting memory. Throughout We Make Fire They Make Smoke, Maverick Smith channel the spirit of classic rock with their own forward-thinking approach and experimental playfulness, resulting in an epic new record that’s sure to charm existing fans and win over new listeners around the world.

We caught up with Maverick Smith to find out more about their musical journey so far, their new album We Make Fire They Make Smoke and what they’ve got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Maverick Smith below.

Hey guys, how’s things?

Things are good—we’re in a creative groove right now, and the response to the album has been better than we could’ve hoped for. It’s been a mix of loud nights, late sessions, and plenty of sandwiches.

How did you get together as a band?

It started with a few friends jamming in living rooms and basements around the Ohio Valley. Some of us had played in other bands, others were just looking for an outlet. The sound clicked before we really had a name for it. Maverick Smith just sort of… emerged.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

We’re a multi-generational band, so the influences run deep and wide. Some of us grew up on classic rock and outlaw country, while others came up on pop-punk, alt-rock, and modern indie. You’ll hear bits of The Beatles and Kristofferson in the songwriting, but also echoes of artists like Phoebe Bridgers, The 1975, and even Chappelle Roane in the textures and mood. I still lean on The Ramones for energy, Kris Kristoffersen for story telling, and Cobain for attitude, but we’ve got members who bring in that polished pop sensibility and others who bring the lo-fi grit. The real magic is how it all somehow blends—these totally different backgrounds and musical languages—into something that sounds like us.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Everyday life, honestly. Weird conversations. Old photographs. Driving through rustbelt towns. I tend to write about the space between struggle and humor. That’s where the real stuff lives.

What was your highlight of the year for 2024?

Finishing We Make Fire They Make Smoke was everything. Working with dozens of musicians—each with their own stories, styles, and scars—taught me a lot about empathy. Not just musical empathy, but real human connection. Producing the album meant learning how to read a room, how to support someone through a rough take, or know when to capture the crack in a voice instead of smoothing it out. The whole process made me pay closer attention—not just to sound, but to the way people respond to pressure, fear, joy. How they open up, or shut down. That kind of observation shaped the record as much as the writing did. Oh, and hearing “Through This Tonight” on Brazilian radio while half-awake, drinking coffee in my pajamas? Still weird. Still unforgettable.

Songwriter, producer and guitarist Sean Boynes

What do you love about your local music scene?

There’s a grit to it. Weirton, Steubenville, Pittsburgh—we’ve all been broke and creative here. The people are loyal and curious, and they’ll tell you exactly what they think. You earn your crowd one night at a time.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Wherever, really. During the making of the album, my favorite test for the daily takes was simple—leave the studio, roll the windows down, blast the mix, and just drive. If it felt good with the wind in your face and the volume all the way up, we knew we had something. That feeling of freedom and connection—that’s the sweet spot. So whether you’re in your car, at a party, or just lying on the floor with headphones on, if it makes you feel something, you’re in the right place.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I used to overthink everything—every lyric, every note, every mix. -And I cannot say I am cured of that however I trust the feel a lot more. What’s really changed, though, is the willingness to bring in other voices, other instruments, and other genres. This album gave us the freedom to lean into arrangements that weren’t built around just guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. We brought in strings, horns, shamisen—whatever felt honest to the moment. It’s made the sound bigger, more textured, and definitely more emotional. I hope it keeps evolving like that—less about fitting a genre and more about telling the truth in whatever form it wants to take.

How did you find making your new album We Make Fire They Make Smoke?

It was like chasing a ghost with a tape recorder. We didn’t go in with a map—we just followed the noise. People came and went, some stayed, some played one note and changed the whole song. We had strings, pipes, oddball instruments, and even odder personalities. But that’s the beauty of it—it wasn’t about perfection, it was about truth. Some nights it felt like magic, others like madness, but we kept recording anyway. The album sort of made us, not the other way around.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

That things can be broken and still beautiful. That friends, even imperfect ones, can pull you through. That rock ‘n’ roll isn’t dead and genres are just semantics – in the words of the great Billy Joel – It’s still rock and roll to me.

Do you have a favourite song from the record?

That’s like asking a parent which kid is their favorite. One cannot really say out loud 😉

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Lately, I’ve been digging into Role Model, Waxahatchee, and Wolfmother. Of course, I am always listening to the Ramones and their first album has become one of my closest and best friends.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I want them to feel less alone. Whether you’re dancing, crying, or just trying to make it through Tuesday—I hope one of our songs gives you something real to hold onto.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

The Primanti Bros. shows in Weirton. Something about working your sound and music out in my hometown and with a good group of fans, friends, and colleagues, that creates those memories you go back to like comfort food. We have five shows left through the summer, July 8 and 23; August 1 and 8; and September 4.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

The ghosts of The Ramones tear through one set, AC/DC cranks the voltage in another, and The Lumineers bring the firelight harmonies—but the twist is, different musicians from each band comingle across sets. Imagine Dee Dee on bass with The Lumineers, or Angus Young shredding under a string section. No egos, no headliners—just chaos, sweat, and pure noise. And it all goes down at an abandoned steel mill along the Ohio River, with the echo of industry in the walls and riverboats drifting by like ghosts.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Don’t wait for perfection. Start where you are, with what you have. Play every show like it matters—even if it’s just for the bartender and your mom. And never underestimate the power of kindness in this business.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of the year?

We’re deep into our summer residency at Primanti Brothers, with more shows and collaborations coming. We’ve got some new singles in the works and maybe—just maybe—a few surprises before the year ends. Stay tuned.

Listen to We Make Fire They Make Smoke below