In this interview, Andy Smith discusses resilience, creative control, and personal upheaval, revealing how adversity, defiance, and self-belief shaped “How Do We Keep Moving On” into a dark rock statement of survival.
1. “How Do We Keep Moving On” feels like a battle cry for resilience. What personal or emotional experiences inspired the message behind this song?
After I moved from the UK to Australia and started my new job, the manager who brought me over initially went over the plan. As time went on, over a period of three years, this did exactly formulate as was explained. Long story short, he was a narcissistic bully who felt threatened by me and tried everything in his power to come between everyone I had met, in work and out of work, and even my own family! Had to keep going and be strong even though it was a low point, after moving 10,000 miles across the world.
2. The track channels strong ’80s dark rock energy while still sounding modern. Which artists or eras most influenced the atmosphere and sound you were aiming for?
With the guitars I was aiming for the raw slightly echo dark bass tone, similar to New Order/Neil Young/Talking Heads with a punky vibe with the drums. Probably 90’s Britpop with the drums with the 80’s guitars.
3. There’s a strong sense of defiance and perseverance throughout the song. How important is it for you to create music that feels empowering rather than purely introspective?
Great question. I don’t think of it like that when I am writing. It really is how it comes out and if I’m on that track during the process, then I will steer it that way. But I have the idea or moment in my life as to what i’m going to say and then it becomes a song. Once I have the song, in demo format, I then edit around how I want it to sound and then occasionally change some lyrics. But usually it’s written in one go and then the production gives it that feel! I produce and record myself so I have that creative control to make it sound like I wish and can change things as I see fit.
4. The driving rhythms and haunting guitar work play a huge role in the song’s impact. How did the songwriting and arrangement evolve during the creative process?
Not much really. The demo, just an acoustic guitar, has the verses just like the record and the choruses were always going to be big! There are a lot of tracks for the chorus to give it that sound, but I didn’t want to go over board with distortion or overdrive, just wanted the wall of sound, rather than completely overdriven/distorted. But it was always the plan to separate the two from the beginning. Using the wah in the breaks with the pounding drums was something I tried in production and I’m really happy how that came out.
5. You describe this release as more than music—it’s a movement. What do you hope listeners take with them after hearing this track?
That anything is possible! However bad a day you are having, whatever goes wrong, the plan gets changed or you get bad news, get up, dust yourself down, move on and don’t let the bastards get you down or see whatever has happened has affected you! Keep your head held high as every single one of us has a spot and purpose in this life! The dark clouds always move on and that light will shine on you again! STAND TALL ALWAYS!
6. Looking ahead, does “How Do We Keep Moving On” represent the direction of your future releases, or is this song a unique chapter in your artistic journey?
It definitely is a statement to myself with my musical journey. As an independent artist, there is not much adulation, so it’s always a battle to keep going. But for me, it’s getting the music I enjoy writing, recording and producing out there. If one person enjoys it or even takes something from it, wow, great! With the direction of my next releases, I’ll keep doing the same thing. My previous release was really different, and my next releases will be different again. I like to challenge myself with different styles and genres and keep surprising people with what I create. The meaning of this track will always be there and I may hang a print of these lyrics on the wall in my studio as I reminder, when things get tough again!
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