Prestyn Smith: This Girl Can’t Lie
All Images: Ralph Palumbo - Newport Beach, CA
I had the chance to sit down with musician-songwriter Prestyn Smith as the sun dipped below the horizon in Newport Beach, California. As we talked about her creative process, her connection with fans, and her self-professed inability to lie - Prestyn’s authenticity shone through. Between moments of easy conversation and quick smiles shared with locals passing by, I had the privilege of watching a quick acoustic performance of her new song, “Can’t Lie.” Smart, kind, and effortlessly cool on her skateboard - there’s no doubt she has a bright future ahead as she continues to roll forward.
-WATCH THE FULL VIDEO INTERVIEW BELOW-
How Did You Get Into Music And Who Is Your Main Influence?
I got into music through musical theater. I was doing plays, and I was told that I wasn't allowed to be in a production unless I learned how to play the guitar. So, I got myself a guitar teacher, and luckily she was also a songwriter herself. She taught me how to play the guitar and how to song write. And ever since then I realized that I like performing music with a guitar for people more than I like musical theater. That's kind of how everything started, but I think my main influence would be my dad. He works and he does something that he loves, so seeing him come home every day with the biggest smile on his face kind of made me realize that music makes me happy and it's what I want to do.
What Came First - The Skateboard Or The Guitar?
I wanna say... The skateboard came first. I used to skateboard with my dad all the time. My sisters and I, each got penny boards for Christmas. And I got, the bigger penny board. So, my dad taught me how to skate. And then I played the guitar later. I think it was only recently that I started playing the guitar and skating at the same time. But I would have to say that the skateboard did come first.
Prestyn Smith photographed on the 36th Street jetty - Newport Beach, CA
Tell Us About Your New Song Can’t Lie
Can't Lie is a song about just being stressed and overwhelmed with your life. Did I make the right choices? Am I doing the right thing? And it's just kind of that inner monologue that you have with yourself. I went into the studio one day, and we were working on a completely different song, with a completely different vibe - I left the studio feeling that I need a high-energy song that I can relate to personally. I was told, don’t write a new song, and everyone was like, why would you do that? But, I sat down with my guitar and thought, don’t tell me what to do - and that’s how Can’t Lie came to life.
At the time all my friends were going to college at the time. Everybody was kind of figuring themselves out, and I was wondering, am I missing out? Am I staying behind? Am I making the right decision? And I feel like you can think that way for every major decision in your life, so I thought it was really important to kind of show other people that even somebody who seems like they've got everything figured out does not have everything figured out. And that's kind of what Can't Lie is all about
What Is You Career Highlight At This Point?
One of my favorite moments - recently I got to open for a band called True Blood, they're big on social media. They asked me to open for them for 2 shows. It was so much fun because it was nice to play in front of people even if they weren't there to watch me. But, I got to meet a ton of girls afterwards, and they were so sweet, and it just really enforced the fact that this is what I want to do with my life. Meeting everybody after the show is my career highlight right now.
How Did You Come Up With The Whole Skateboard Thing?
I've been doing content for the past four-ish years, and I felt like I was doing the same thing over and over again. I wanted to do something that was my own, that nobody else was doing. And I mean, I've always skateboarded. It was kind of like my two hobbies were music and skateboarding. One day in passing my dad asked, “Hey, have you ever tried to play the guitar while riding the skateboard the skateboard?'' I was like, No Dad - That's dumb. And then it stayed in my mind. I kept thinking, I bet I could do it. So, I went outside and I tried it once. I was like, Absolutely not - that's not happening. After giving it a try my mom said ''Oh, I guess you can't do it.'' And I was like, ''Oh, my gosh - now I have to do it, because I have to prove her wrong. Five minutes later, I walk inside and said, mom come out and watch me do this. I was playing a solo on the guitar, and that was it. It was out of spite. I'm just kidding. It was not out of spite. It was really fun.
Did You Ever Fall Off The Skateboard While Filming?
I can't lie, I have fallen off a skateboard before. I was going down a bridge, and I was going way too fast. I didn't realize how fast I was going, and I tried to push and I totally flew off the board and started having to run to catch myself. And then I hopped back on the board and tried to finish the video, but it was gone. The video was gone. I don't know why I tried to salvage it, but it's a really funny video.
What Is Your Writing Process?
I am what's called melodically driven, which means I write the chords and the melody before I dive into the lyrics. So, how I write music is I kind of think of a rhythm, then I come up with chords, and then I hum a melody, and then whatever lyrics come to my head, I just word vomit, and then I refine the details later, and I just do that over and over again until I have a full song.
What’s Next For Prestyn Smith?
The main thing I want to do is release a ton of songs and I want to be able to perform for people. I do lives all the time and people ask me - When are you coming to this state? When are you coming to other continents, other countries? My big dream is just to be able to go and meet these people in real life, because, that's why you do it. You do it to connect with people, and to be able to play for them live. I think that's what's next for me. I've got more singles coming out, and I'm working on some pretty cool projects to give to you guys - Stay Tuned!
Prestyn’s Links: Spotify TikTok Instagram Facebook YouTube
Skateboard collaboration with: Ghost Boards
Prestyn Smith Full Interview for RockWest Magazine - Newport Beach, CA
