Warwick Smith Talks New EP ‘Beyond The Sea’, Songwriting in the Shower & Staying Independent

Newcastle indie-pop punk artist Warwick Smith has been carving his own lane with emotionally rich, genre-bending tracks that blend raw vulnerability with infectious hooks. Fresh off the release of his brand new EP ‘Beyond The Sea’, which we recently premiered, Warwick joins us for an exclusive chat to dive into the stories behind the songs, his creative process (spoiler: it involves a lot of thinking in the shower), and the highs and hurdles of being a completely independent artist. With a growing fanbase and a fierce DIY spirit, Warwick is one to keep your eyes — and ears — firmly locked on.

Hi Warwick Smith!  

Tell us a little bit about yourself? 

Hi AAA Backstage! My name’s Warwick Smith, I’m from Newcastle, Australia and I make music. It’s always kind of tough to pinpoint exactly what type of music I make with all the different influences and styles I like to incorporate. So let’s just say I make music for people with open minds and eclectic taste.

Congratulations on your newly released EP ‘Beyond The Sea’! What inspired the EP?

Thank you! The EP wasn’t always an EP, it was just a collection of songs I had been chipping away at. It wasn’t until I took a trip on a cruise ship that it all came together for me as ‘Beyond The Sea’. The songs are mostly inspired by working independently as an artist and drawing parallels between that lifestyle and a dwindling relationship. I really love writing about being a musician and then it’s a great creative exercise to try and tie that back to a more universal theme.

Which track would you recommend for first time listeners and why?

Little Runaway 100%. It’s the third track, it’s a tonal reset on the EP and it’s got heavy elements of pop, punk, rock. It’s a pretty faithful representation of myself as an artist. Also it has one of my all-time favourite lyrics in it – but that’s something for me to know.

You recently played a free acoustic show to celebrate the release of your EP. Can fans expect any more shows soon? 

I did! It was such an awesome time, I love getting to do the more unplanned, unticketed side of things. I definitely think 2025 is going to be a strong year for live content but I don’t want to say too much and jinx it!

How does your songwriting process work? 

Typically in the shower. I was just looking at some voice notes on my phone earlier and realised most of the ideas I record have the shower running in the background. I flesh out the entire thing in my head, record a voicenote, write the lyrics on my phone and that way by the time I reach my computer and begin producing, I’ve already envisioned the entire song’s blueprint. It’s the most faithful way to capture the concept.

Who is your biggest musical inspiration and why? 

That’s a mountain of a question truthfully because I’ve had so, so many musical hyper fixations across my life so far. I think I’d be mad not to acknowledge the impact from artists like Michael Jackson, Green Day, Twenty One Pilots, Carly Rae Jepsen, Panic! At The Disco… the list could go on for days. I think at the core the biggest musical inspiration I have is musicians in general. I just adore the artistry which I think can get lost in all the industry cogs. Artists are meant to make art, after all.

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What is the highlight of your musical career to date? 

Without any hesitation it’s the people. The people who listen, who show up, who share the music. At the free show there were people who did sketches, made stickers, and bracelets. If I ever needed a reason to push through, it’s them. Always.

What is the hardest part of being an independent musician?

It’s just you. No team, no bandmates, no label. There isn’t a safety net or a push beyond what you can conjure up for yourself. But it’s an incredibly free way to do things. Not just being independent but being solo means it all falls on me but when things work out, I also know that it was me who did it. It’s a very bittersweet type of catch 22.

If you could collaborate with any musician, who would it be and why? 

Nick Jonas. Ask me in any universe, in any timeline and the answer is Nick Jonas. Nick Jonas, if you’re reading this, hit me up.

What an absolute talent he is and with such a unique point of view on composition, producing, PR, marketing. He’s one of those artists who you can tell is very particular and hands on with his projects. I aspire to have that level of precision and distinction in my work so, if Nick wants to come mentor me, my inbox is always open.

What is next for Warwick Smith?

It’s always dangerous to answer a question like this when my brain goes 100 different ways in a single day. I know as soon as this goes out and I read it back, all my answers will have changed. I’ll simply say, there’s always a next step, I’m always planning ahead and I’m always trying to up the stakes. My biggest challenge right now is figuring out when to dye my hair. And what colour.

As Warwick Smith sails into his next chapter, it’s clear he’s steering the ship with passion, intention, and just the right amount of punk-infused chaos. Whether he’s crafting an anthem in the shower or planning his next hair colour, his artistry is equal parts heartfelt and unpredictable — and that’s exactly what makes it so magnetic. ‘Beyond The Sea’ is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a window into Warwick’s world — one that continues to evolve, surprise, and connect with fans who see a bit of themselves in his music.