Interview with WRDSMTH

WRDSMTH is a published author, screenwriter, former advertising copywriter, and an emerging street artist. Born and raised in the Midwest, he relocated to LA and started doing time in Hollywood, chasing the dream like countless others. Past and present worlds merged when he came up with the concept for WRDSMTH — a unique combination of stenciling and wheatpasting. WRDSMTH aspires to inspire others on a daily basis with colorful and well-chosen words crafted into indelible thoughts and phrases that he paints/pastes onto walls around the world.

Music On Walls had the chance to discuss with WRDSMTH about his recent works inspired by music and the place that music has in his creation process.

MOW : Why is music important to you and your art? 

WRDSMTH : Since a very young age, music has been a source of enjoyment, motivation, and inspiration for me. I leaned on it as a teenager, like most do during that turbulent time in our lives. Pop music never really spoke to me, but I discovered Hip-Hop, which I loved, and shortly after that stumbled upon Alternative music and truly found my niche. I embraced that renaissance in music, which helped me gain the confidence to express myself with writing and eventually art. 

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MOW : Which of your artwork is your favorite from the ones presented today?

WRDSMTH : I loved creating the RPM series -- both versions (see right). Alternative music was so influential for me during my youth that tipping my hat to all those indelible bands and songs and lyrics was very important to me and a lot of fun to do.

The Marvin Gaye piece (see left) was/is also important to me as it was done during the COVID lockdown and it was one of the first pieces I created to help express my thoughts and frustration with our current world.

MOW : Do you have plans on creating new artworks inspired by music ?

WRDSMTH : No immediate plans, but it's happened so consistently in the past, I am beyond certain I'll be inspired by a song or some lyrics and will be compelled to pay homage to it/them sometime soon.

MOW : Do you listen to music when you’re working ?

WRDSMTH : I do. Always. Whether writing or painting, I love a background filled with music. I listen to all kinds -- chill, classical, alternative, rap. The only rule is it needs to be music I am familiar with. Attempting to digest new music while creating does not work for me whatsoever. 

MOW : What is the album you liked the most lately?

WRDSMTH : Been listening to The National a lot lately -- their latest, 'I Am Easy To Find' is pretty great and the song 'Quiet Light' has been on heavy-rotation with me lately.

MOW : What was the last gig you went to ?

WRDSMTH : I think the last gig I attended was a show by Mondo Cozmo.

MOW : Are you a musician yourself ?

WRDSMTH : I cannot play a lick of music, which makes me appreciate the art of music so much.

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Stay tuned with WRDSMTH’s work here :

www.wrdsmth.com

instagram.com/wrdsmth/

Listen to WRDSMTH playlist here