Starsmith

Starsmith
Birth nameFinlay Dow-Smith
Born (1988-07-08) 8 July 1988 (age 36)
Bromley, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Drums
  • synthesizer
  • saxophone
  • piano
  • guitar
  • bass
  • vocals
Years active2009–present

Finlay Dow-Smith (born 8 July 1988), known professionally as Starsmith, is a British songwriter, record producer and DJ.

Smith's best known for co-writing and serving as the primary producer for Ellie Goulding's debut album Lights, which was met with critical and commercial success. Following its release in 2010, it went straight to No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart. The album has gone on to sell over 2,000,000 copies worldwide. He teamed up with Goulding again on her second studio album, Halcyon (2012), producing and co-writing three songs on the album,[1][2] and eight years later, he collaborated on four tracks from her fourth studio album Brightest Blue (2020).

Smith has co-written and produced several hits during his music career, including: "Good Thing" by Zedd and Kehlani, "Crybaby" by Paloma Faith, and "I'll Be There" by Jess Glynne which went to number one in the UK and was nominated for Best Single at the 2019 Brit Awards.[3] As well as producing "Hold My Hand" by Jess Glynne, and "Real Love" by Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne. Some of his notable work as a DJ includes his remixes for the singles "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga, and "I Am Not A Robot" by Marina and the Diamonds.[4]

For his contributions as record producer, Smith has been nominated for Producer of the Year at the 2018 A&R Awards,[5] He also was recognized by the Music Producers Guild with nominations for Breakthrough Producer of the Year in 2011, and for his work as DJ he earned a nomination for Remixer of the Year in 2012.[6][7]

Career

He studied a classical music degree at the University of Surrey,[8] majoring in performance on saxophone and graduating in 2009. He met Ellie Goulding during his final year and together they started creating what would become her debut album, which was then signed to Polydor Records a few months after he graduated.

Starsmith toured with Goulding in 2009 and 2010, and also played with her on Later... with Jools Holland in 2009, playing bass guitar. He is a noted instrumentalist, additionally playing piano and guitar, but his main instrument is the saxophone.

In December 2011, he was the subject of an episode of the Red Bull and Vice documentary series, The Producers.[9] In March 2014, the track "Dead In The Water" that he co-wrote and produced with Ellie Goulding was included in the promotion and soundtrack for the film Divergent,[10] which opened at No.1 at the Worldwide Box Office.[11]

In 2015, he co-wrote and produced seven songs with Jess Glynne on her number one debut album I Cry When I Laugh, including the single "Hold My Hand", which spent four weeks at number 1 in the UK and sold over two million copies worldwide. In 2017, he collaborated with Paloma Faith on her number one album The Architect, co-writing and producing five songs. Their first writing session together resulted in the lead single "Crybaby". That year he also wrote songs with Jessie Ware for her album Glasshouse and with Rae Morris for her album, Someone Out There. He worked with Cloves and her longtime writing partner Justin Parker on singles from her debut album. "Bringing the House Down", their first collaboration, was released in early 2018 as the album's lead single.[12][13] He co-wrote and produced the lead single "I'll Be There" for Jess Glynne's second album. The song went to number one in the UK, achieving their second chart-topper, and third top 3 single together.

In 2020, Smith reunited with Goulding, and worked on four songs for her fourth studio album Brightest Blue.[14]

In August 2024, Smith released his first song as a lead artist since 2011, titled "Leave Me Slowly" which he co-wrote with longtime collaborator, Ellie Goulding and Sarah Troy. The Garage song includes uncredited lead vocals from Goulding.[15] It was released via Headroom and Another Rhythm Records.[16]

Discography

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details Track listing Ref.
Lesson One
  • Released: 22 August 2011
  • Label: Vulture
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
  1. Lesson One
  2. Champion
  3. Lesson One (Extended Edit)
  4. Champion (Radio Edit)
[17]

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles released as lead artist
Title Year Album Ref.
"Give Me a Break"/"Knucklebuster" 2010 Non-album single [18]
"Leave Me Slowly" 2024 TBA [19]

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles by Starsmith
Title Year Album Ref.
"Lesson One" 2011 Lesson One [20]
"Champion" [21]

Remixography

Year Artist Song Title Time
2009 Private "My Secret Lover" 4:01
Elviin "In Colour" 4:44
Bombay Bicycle Club "Always Like This" 4:06
Frankmusik "3 Little Words" (Starsmith Remix) 3:29
Marina and the Diamonds "I Am Not a Robot" (Starsmith 24 Carat Remix) 5:18
Little Boots "New in Town" (Starsmith Remix) 5:30
The Twang "Barney Rubble" (Starsmith Remix) 5:24
Girls Can't Catch "Keep Your Head Up" (Starsmith Club Mix) 5:18
The Mission District "So Over You" (Starsmith Remix) 3:29
Team WaterPolo "Letting Go" (Starsmith Remix) 4:29
Frankmusik "Better Off as Two" (Starsmith Holiday in the Heath Remix) 4:29
Passion Pit "Sleepyhead" (Starsmith Remix feat. Ellie Goulding) 3:19
Animal Kingdom "Signs and Wonders" (Starsmith Remix) 4:17
Paloma Faith "New York" (Starsmith Remix) 3:36
Lisa Mitchell "Coin Laundry" (Starsmith Remix) 4:49
Lady Gaga "Bad Romance" (Starsmith Remix) 4:56
2010 Mika "Blame It on the Girls" (Not on the Starsmith Remix) 6:17
Timbaland featuring Katy Perry "If We Ever Meet Again" (Starsmith Remix) 5:21
N.E.R.D. "Hot-n-Fun" (Starsmith Club Remix) 5:35
Beyoncé "Why Don't You Love Me" (Starsmith Remix – Radio Edit) 3:34
Robyn "Hang with Me" (Starsmith Remix) 6:04
2011 Gypsy & the Cat "Jona Vark" (Starsmith Remix) 4:58
Lady Gaga "Born This Way" (Starsmith Remix) 6:45
Marina and the Diamonds "Radioactive" (Starsmith Rework) 4:37
2012 St. Lucia "We Got It Wrong" (Starsmith Remix) 6:03
2013 Ed Drewett "Drunk Dial" (Starsmith Remix) 5:37
Matthew Koma "Parachute" (Starsmith Remix) 5:18
Hall & Oates "I Can't Go For That" (Starsmith Rework) 4:48
Betty Who "Somebody Loves You" (Starsmith Remix) 6:24
2014 Joywave "Tongues" (Starsmith Remix) 4:39

Songwriting and production credits

Title Year Artist(s) Album Credits Written with Produced with
"Under the Sheets" 2009 Ellie Goulding Under the Sheets EP / Lights Co-writer/Producer Elena Goulding -
"Fighter Plane" Under the Sheets EP Elena Goulding -
"Hollywood" 2010 Marina and the Diamonds The Family Jewels Producer - Richard Stannard, Ash Howes
"Hurtful" Erik Hassle Pieces - Grizzly, Tommy Tysper
"Starry Eyed" Ellie Goulding Lights - -
"Guns and Horses" - -
"The Writer" - -
"Every Time You Go" Co-writer/Producer Elena Goulding, Jonathan Fortis -
"I'll Hold My Breath" Elena Goulding -
"This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)" Elena Goulding -
"Salt Skin" Elena Goulding -
"You'll Never Get to Heaven" Diana Vickers Song from the Tainted
Cherry Tree
Diana Vickers, Cass Lowe -
"Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel
Love)
"
Kylie Minogue Aphrodite Olivia Nervo, Miriam Nervo Stuart Price
"Yeah Yeah"
(featuring Travie McCoy)
Cheryl Cole Messy Little Raindrops Wayne Hector, Travis McCoy -
"Human" Ellie Goulding Bright Lights Elena Goulding -
"Animal" Elena Goulding -
"Burn" 2011 Clare Maguire Light After Dark Clare Maguire -
"High" Big Sean Finally Famous Co-writer - -
"Lesson One" Starsmith Lesson One Writer/Producer -
"Champion" - -
"Dead in the Water" 2012 Ellie Goulding Halcyon Co-writer/Producer Elena Goulding -
"The Ending" Elena Goulding -
"Without Your Love" Elena Goulding -
"Us and Ours" 2013 Mark Owen The Art of Doing Nothing Mark Owen, Benjamin Mark, Jamie Norton Charlie Russell, Bradley Spence
"S.A.D."
(featuring Ren Harvieu)
Mark Owen, Benjamin Mark, Jamie Norton Charlie Russell, Bradley Spence
"End of Everything" Co-writer Mark Owen, Benjamin Mark, Jamie Norton -
"Ghost" Mark Owen, Benjamin Mark, Jamie Norton -
"Morning Belle" Mark Owen, Benjamin Mark, Jamie Norton -
"The Lamb" Mark Owen, Benjamin Mark, Jamie Norton -
"Somebody" Fenech-Soler Rituals Co-writer/Producer Daniel Fenech-Soler, Andrew Lindsay, Ross Duffy, Benjamn Duffy Fenech-Soler, Ross Duffy, Ben Duffy
"Glow" - Fenech-Soler, Ross Duffy, Ben Duffy
"Better" 2014 Betty Who Take Me When You Go Co-writer/Producer Jessica Newham, Scott Hoffman -
"Real Love"
(with Jess Glynne)
Clean Bandit New Eyes / I Cry When I Laugh Producer - Clean Bandit, The Six
"Hold My Hand" 2015 Jess Glynne I Cry When I Laugh - Jack Patterson
"Fight for Love" Kwabs Love + War - Al Shux
"Staring at the Sun" Mika No Place in Heaven Additional producer - Martin Terefe
"Preach" M.O Non-album single Co-writer/Producer Fransesca Connolly, Edward Thomas, Joel Compass, Fredrick Gibson, Annie Ashcroft -
"Gave Me Something" Jess Glynne I Cry When I Laugh Jessica Glynne, Andrew "Knox" Brown, Janee Bennett Knox Brown
"Ain't Got Far to Go" Jessica Glynne, Janee Bennett Knox Brown
"You Can Find Me" Jessica Glynne, Talay Riley -
"It Ain't Right" Jessica Glynne, James Newman -
"No Rights No Wrongs" Jessica Glynne, Andrew "Knox" Brown, Janee Bennett, Jonathan Coffer, James Newman Knox Brown
"Don't Follow Me" Ella Eyre Feline Ella McMahon, Natalia Hajjara Jay Reynolds
"Is it Love"
(featuring Yeah Boy)
2016 3lau Non-album single Justin Blau, Jonathan Curtis 3lau
"Power" Petite Meller Lil Empire Syvan Miller -
"Better By Your Side feat. Tom Aspaul" Aeble Better By Your Side Tom Aspaul -
"California Numb" 2017 Cloves One Big Nothing Kaity Dunstan, Justin Parker Ian Barter
"I Don't Know" Molly Kate Kestner TBA Molly Kate Kestner, Amy Wadge -
"Crybaby" Paloma Faith The Architect Paloma Faith, Lindy Robbins, Cleo Tighe -
"Good Times" Elderbrook Talking Alexander Kotz -
"First Time" Jessie Ware Glasshouse Jessica Ware, James Newman -
"Evolution"
(featuring Samuel L. Jackson)
Paloma Faith The Architect Producer - Paloma Faith
"I'll Be Gentle"
(with John Legend)
- Jesse Shatkin
"Politics of Hope"
(featuring Owen Jones)
- Paloma Faith
"Still Around" - Klas Ahlund
"Pawns"
(featuring Baby N'Sola, Janelle Martin
and Naomi Miller)
Co-writer/Producer - Paloma Faith
"My Body" Paloma Faith, Andrew "Knox" Brown, Janee Bennett Knox Brown
"Bloodstains" 2018 Rhys Lewis Bad Timing EP Co-writer Rhys Lewis, Ian Barter, O. Martin -
"Family Man" Lily Allen No Shame Additional producer - Mark Ronson
"Dancing with Character" Rae Morris Someone Out There Co-writer/Producer Rachel Morris, Benjamin Garrett -
"Bringing the House Down" Cloves One Big Nothing Kaity Dunstan, Ariel Rechtshaid, Justin Parker -
"Kiss Me In The Dark" Kaity Dunstan, Justin Parker -
"Hit Me Hard" Kaity Dunstan, Justin Parker -
"I'll Be There" Jess Glynne Always in Between Jessica Glynne, Camille Purcell, Henrik Michelsen, Edvard Erfjord, Jerker Hanssen Electric
"Won't Say No" Jessica Glynne, Janee Bennett, Clarence Coffee Jr. -
"Rollin" Producer - Fred Gibson
"Million Reasons" Co-writer/Producer Jessica Glynne, Sara Hjellstrom, Nirob Islam -
"Final Breath" Paloma Faith The Architect: Zeitgeist
Edition
Paloma Faith, Stephan Moccio, Clarence Coffee Jr. -
"Older" Paloma Faith, Cleo Tighe -
"High Hopes" Rationale High Hopes EP Rationale Rationale
"73" Co-writer Rationale -
"Hallelujah" 2019 Oh Wonder Hallelujah Additional producer - Oh Wonder
"Like I Love You" Shells Like I Love You Co-writer/Producer Shells -
"The Corner" Dermot Kennedy Without Fear Dermot Kennedy, Scott Harris -
"Good Thing" Zedd and Kehlani TBA Cleo Tighe, Lostboy Zedd
"How It Goes" 2020 Oh Wonder No One Else Can Wear Your Crown Oh Wonder Oh Wonder
"Drunk On You" Oh Wonder, Larzz Principato Oh Wonder
"Pieces" Navvy The Final Pieces EP Navvy, Rory Adams -
"Get Away" Hayley Gene Penner People You Follow Hayley Gene Penner -
"Lonely People" Hyyts Hyyts, Rationale
"How Deep Is Too Deep" Ellie Goulding Brightest Blue Ellie Goulding, Joe Kearns -
"Cyan" Ellie Goulding, Joe Kearns, Jim Eliot Joe Kearns, Jim Eliot
"Tides" Ellie Goulding, Joe Kearns -
"Woman" Producer Joe Kearns, Eli Teplin -
"SOS" Hyyts SOS - Rationale
"Lose" Niki Moonchild Co-writer/Producer Nicole Zefanya, Teddy Sinclair Bēkon
"Grow" Josie Man Grow Josie Man, Hannah Yadi, Josh Scarbrow -
"99%" Gracey The Art of Closure Gracey, Al Shux Al Shux
"Monster" Paloma Faith Infinite Things Paloma Faith, MNEK -
"Hypnosis" 2023 Ive I've Ive Co-writer Seo Jeong-a, Gaeul, Rei Risc, Elof Loelv
"Baddie" I've Mine Big Naughty, Perrie, Ryan S. Jhun Ryan S. Jhun, Risc, Alawn
"Leave Me Slowly" 2024 Starsmith TBA Co-writer/Producer Ellie Goulding, Sarah Troy -

Awards and nominations

List of awards and nominations received by Starsmith
Award Year Category Nominee/Work Result Ref.
A&R Awards 2018 Producer of the Year Himself Nominated [5]
Music Producers Guild Awards 2012 Remixer of the Year Nominated [7]
2011 Breakthrough Producer of the Year Nominated [22]

References

  1. ^ "Halcyon - Ellie Goulding | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Score Top Billboard 200 Debut, Mumford Still No. 1". Billboard.com. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Brit Awards 2019: Full list of winners". Bbc.co.uk. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  4. ^ "The Most Definitely | Starsmith – Now I Feel Good". Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b "The A&R Awards 2018 finalists… revealed!". Music Business Worldwide. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  6. ^ "2011 Short Lists". The Music Producers Guild. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  7. ^ a b "2012 Short Lists". The Music Producers Guild. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Updates on achievements in Music and Sound Recording - University of Surrey - Guildford". 28 January 2013. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Episode 5: Starsmith | The Producers | VICE". 7 December 2011. Archived from the original on 7 December 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Divergent Track Listing Revealed!". 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  11. ^ "'Divergent,' based on young adult book series, is No. 1". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  12. ^ Bringing the House Down (Stripped) by CLOVES on Apple Music, 16 February 2018, retrieved 16 August 2024
  13. ^ One Big Nothing by CLOVES on Apple Music, 28 September 2018, retrieved 16 August 2024
  14. ^ "It's ok I can post my solo's always get cut 🤪 Starsmith". Facebook.com. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  15. ^ Starsmith (15 August 2024). Starsmith - Leave Me Slowly (Visualizer). Retrieved 16 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Dork (12 August 2024). "The Track Forecast: Max effort: 'Diet Pepsi' shows Addison Rae is more than just another social media pop star". Dork. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  17. ^ Lesson One - EP by Starsmith on Apple Music, 22 August 2011, retrieved 16 August 2024
  18. ^ "Starsmith - Give Me A Break". Neon Gold Records. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  19. ^ Leave Me Slowly by Starsmith on Apple Music, retrieved 16 August 2024
  20. ^ Lesson One by Starsmith on Apple Music, 22 August 2011, retrieved 16 August 2024
  21. ^ Champion (Radio Edit) by Starsmith on Apple Music, 22 August 2011, retrieved 16 August 2024
  22. ^ "2011 Short Lists". The Music Producers Guild. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2024.