We sit down with Byron Smith after running into him at the Dublin (Ohio) Irish Fest. He’s a Central Ohio musician, plays in an Irish band, works with a leather shop, and has goals of playing a circuit of renaissance festivals around the country. He’s also about to release two discs.

TUNED UP: Hey Byron, it was good seeing you at the Dublin Irish Fest. How long have you been involved there?

Byron Smith: This year was my third season!

TUNED UP: What makes that event fun for you? There’s numerous artists from Ireland and similarly abroad that perform this festival. Did any strike you this year?

Byron Smith: I spend most of my time in the booth unfortunately but it is a lot of fun spending time with the crew as always, they are great people to spend time with! I did not get to see any acts this year as the booth was busy enough that I couldn’t leave when I wanted to. I plan on playing the festival next year however so hopefully I will be able to see many shows!

I did get to see Gaelic Storm there a couple years ago, which was pretty darn great.

TUNED UP: So Alison and I ran into you at a leather stall. What’s the name of the leather company, what role do you play? How did you come into your leather apprenticeship?

Byron Smith: I work for Brown Cow Art!

I’m not really an apprentice although that was on the table and what I was going for my first year or two of working for him. I certainly could still be one if I wanted to but it wouldn’t be paid and I don’t have time between full-time work and my music career to really commit to something like that.

I do however work in his shop banging out product for the festivals whenever I can. He has taught me many things about leatherworking and I’m always learning more!

I got involved with Brown Cow by sheer random chance! I met a girl at Comfest who helped him with his background dying and she introduced me to the owner. A few months later he needed someone in front of his booth to draw in a crowd so he hired me and my guitar one weekend at the Ohio Rennaissance Festival. I had so much fun that I’ve been working for him ever since.

TUNED UP: You mentioned you have two solo discs out. What are they called? And how do they differ from one another?

Byron Smith: I have one solo album that is being mixed as we speak for the purposes of selling at Renfaire, it is a mixture of originals and traditionals. My band Whiskey Maggie is coming out with a live album of traditionals to sell at the fair as well.

TUNED UP: You mentioned you are playing everything yourself. How has that process been? Who did you record the discs with?

TUNED UP: It has been a challenging, frustrating, and grossly rewarding experience. I have written so many parts and have had to figure out how to play them on instruments that im not nearly as comfortable on as I am on guitar. Throughout this venture I have garnered a lot of experience in the process of translating what I hear my head into physical reality, and I’m excited to hone those new skills and push myself to grow as a musician.

The magnificent Stuart Sisk recorded me and is taking care of the postproduction for the CD as well. He is a fair performer with 20 years of stage experience; check out his juggling show at the Ohio Renaissance Festival and like him on Facebook! His entertainment persona is Stuartski Siskonovich.

TUNED UP: Previously I’ve visited you at the Ohio Renaissance Festival. You work that festival as a contracted musician. How have your experiences been with that in past seasons?

Byron Smith: I have yet to work Ohren as a contract performer, that is however a goal I had been shooting for since last season. I am happy to say I will be there as a contract performer this year! I will be there with my Irish band Whiskey Maggie for four weekends and there solo as Byron the Armoured Bard for the rest of the season.

My goal for this year is to add skills and experience as an entertainer to my repertoire and make it into at least one other festival for next year. I will be pitching my show to other places and would like to have at least a 5 months regular circuit put together in the next two years.

TUNED UP: How did you get involved with the Ohio Renaissance Festival as a contracted musician?

Byron Smith: Working at the Renfest for Brown Cow these past couple years has given me the opportunity to meet and befriend many of the various musicians and performers who work there. As they got to know me and my music a few of them invited me to play with them during their shows or busk with them on the streets. I’ve even had my own pub sing slot a couple of times. Their support and help is a big part of how I got my contract spot this year and I am eternally grateful for what they have done for me!

TUNED UP: You mentioned the solo discs are being made specially for the Ohio Renaissance Festival. I’ve seen musicians carry merch in those open-air play settings. Could you explain the importance of merch to a contract musician at the Ohio Renaissance Festival?

Byron Smith: Merch is an important revenue stream for the performers there, the festival pays a day rate but that money isn’t seen until the end of the run. Many of the people who play there live on the road and work a circuit so the money made from tips and CD sales are very helpful to live off of.

TUNED UP: You’ve played alot of shows at The House with No Name, a Columbus Ohio DIY spot, and prior to that you played at Monster House. Briefly, what are your thoughts on DIY spaces and shows?

Byron Smith: There is not a venue style that I’ve encountered that can match the intimacy of a DIY show. The majority of the Columbus DIY community is in it for the music and musicians and not so much the money. Consequencially the audience most DIY spaces sit in rapt attention and provide great feedback and support, they are there for the musicians, not to drink beer and talk over background noise. It is rare find that kind of dedication in the bar scene, even if your band has a loyal following.

TUNED UP: Both of us were regulars at the now defunct Taj Bar open mic. Reminiscing a bit, what do you think made the Taj Bar mic so great?

Byron Smith: I love the Taj for nostalgia, but also for the attitude of the regulars. It was a no judgement place that encouraged original content from new and seasoned performers alike. I’m not sure I’d be the performer I am today if it wasn’t for the things those people taught me, or the shows and relationships that came from spending time with them.

The dollar whiskey shots didn’t suck either. *winks*

TUNED UP: Thanks for your time, I wish you well on the upcoming double release and fall festival season!

Written by Sandeep Sehbi