Maverick Smith’s LP, With Friends & Imperfections, presents a resonant exploration of the intricacies of human emotion through the lens of musical collaboration. In this interview, we explore the profound themes encapsulated in his work, where each track stands as a testament to the fleeting, contradictory nature of life itself. Maverick’s return to music after a decade illuminates his journey towards rediscovering the joy of creation, underscored by a desire to produce something authentically raw and vividly real. The album stands as a heartfelt ode to the unpolished, chaotic beauty of life, woven together by the diverse talents of 22 musicians. This fusion of experiences creates a unique sonic palette that challenges the sterile precision of digital music production, favouring instead the visceral energy of live performance
Maverick Smith, welcome to A&R Factory! Thanks for the opportunity to sit down with you following the release of your debut collaborative LP, With Friends & Imperfections. What’s the story behind the album?
Thank you! The album was born out of a desire to reconnect with the joy of making music after a decade away. Creating something that felt raw, unfiltered, and human. It wasn’t just about crafting songs, but about bringing together people I admire and just enjoy hanging out with, including 22 incredible musicians, to make an album that reflects the imperfections and beauty of music.
Each song was treated as its own record, and the album became this organic collaboration between old friends and new faces, which was incredibly therapeutic for me. It’s a mix of personal reflection and an ode to the messy, unpolished moments that make music—and life—worth celebrating.
We love how all reminiscences are fleeting in the tracks, was this an intentional familiar yet pioneering touch to the album or completely accidental?
It wasn’t something we set out to do, but I think it’s a reflection of how life feels to me—fleeting, yes, but also full of contradictions. The album asks you to remember certain moments, while at the same time, it asks you to forget, to move on. That imbalance, that imperfection, is what it means to be human. We’re constantly pulled in different directions emotionally. Some tracks capture that pure, joyful moment, like falling in love, while others deal with the harder side—loss, regret, or even just letting go of old ideals.
And then, sometimes, life is just about having fun, like with Spookshow, which celebrates our love of horror movies and the joy they bring. The songs weren’t designed to be perfect or neat because life isn’t like that. It’s messy, it’s contradictory, but that’s also what makes it beautiful. Through the writing and performance, we wanted each track to feel like a snapshot, a brief moment you hold onto, but one that ultimately passes—just like life does. So, while the fleeting nature wasn’t planned, it reflects the reality we all live in, and I think that’s what makes the album feel both familiar and fresh at the same time.
Bringing together 22 musicians to work on the album is quite an impressive feat; what were the highs and lows of working as part of such an expansive ensemble?
The highs were definitely the creative energy and unpredictability that each musician brought to the table. Having people like Ken Stringfellow (from The Posies, Big Star, and R.E.M.) and Paul Santo (from Aerosmith and Ringo Starr’s band) was surreal. They brought a level of skill and artistry that elevated everything.
And then you have a few wild cards like Lorne MacDougall, the world-renowned bagpiper, and Serg Accordio, the fantastic classically trained accordion player, to just name a couple, who added an unexpected but incredible layer to the music.
The lows? Well, coordinating that many creative people is like herding cats. Everyone has different schedules and creative processes, so keeping it all together was a challenge, but a welcome one. In the end, it was worth every logistical headache because the chemistry is undeniable.
With artists who had worked alongside the likes of R.E.M. and Ringo Starr in the ephemeral powerhouse, what brought you all together?
It really came down to a shared passion for making music that feels genuine and unfiltered. I wasn’t after perfection; I wanted raw, emotional performances that didn’t rely on digital tricks or auto-tune. A lot of the production and performances weren’t guided by music charts or sheet music. Instead, they were driven by conversations about our favorite bands and the artists that influenced us. We’d talk about the vibe of band or particular album or just the energy of a group or artist and how we could bring that feeling into the music.
A handful of the tracks were co-written with my collaborator, Skip, and that gave us a solid foundation for experimenting. The musicians I reached out to really connected with that idea of letting the music evolve naturally without being overly produced or commercially driven. The stars aligned, and we were able to create something real, something we’re all proud of.
What was the energy in the recording studio like?
Electric and chaotic in the best way possible! The energy was all about friendship and reconnecting with kindred spirits. The main goal for everyone was to have fun, and that became the true measure of whether things were working. If we weren’t having fun, we knew something was off. It was less about structure and more about letting creativity flow naturally. The vibe was relaxed and there were no rigid plans or pressure to follow any set rules, so if someone felt like adding an accordion or a bagpipe or even a triangle, we’d just go with it! The entire process was guided by that sense of joy, and it made for an experience that felt both easygoing and electric. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about capturing the moment and enjoying the ride.
Today, so much of the ‘magic’ happens post-production, yet with this LP, you can hear the unmistakable synergy and electricity of live performance. How important do you feel it is to produce sounds that you can replicate on stage?
It was crucial for us to embrace the imperfections and avoid sanitizing the sound. The album With Friends & Imperfections really reflects that—it’s raw, unfiltered, and intentionally a little rough around the edges. There’s a risk in doing it this way, especially today when so many tracks are “autocorrected” into perfection. But that’s exactly what we wanted to steer away from. We didn’t want to lose the human element of live performance, the moments where a note might be slightly off or the timing isn’t pristine, because those imperfections are where the soul of the music lives.
For us, the goal was to create something that feels real, something you can experience live and have it resonate in the same way. When we perform these songs on stage, I want people to feel the same energy, flaws, and all. There’s something magical in not hiding behind post-production and letting the music breathe on its own. It’s a bit risky, sure, because people are so used to polished perfection, but we wanted to capture the kind of connection and honesty that only comes with live, imperfect performances. That’s where the heart of this album lies.
Stream With Friends and Imperfections on Spotify now.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast
