Charlotte-based composer Sean Michael Smith joins Greazy Keyz on #LocalMusicSomewhere to discuss his journey from metal guitarist to orchestral composer and the world premiere of his debut work, Symphony No. 1 “The Wolf.”
Smith opens up about creativity, spirituality, and how “music as active meditation” drives his art.
About Me – Sean Michael Smith
Sean Michael Smith makes music as a form of active meditation and a way to glimpse inner truth. His work is a raw blend of beauty and grit, reaching toward something sacred and timeless. He dredges the depths of his soul to light a fire in your own. Born in Sleepy Hollow, NY and raised in a Sicilian and Irish family, Sean grew up surrounded by big personalities and strong traditions, which gave him a sense of confidence and a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
Based in Charlotte, NC, he lives with his wife, Catherine, and two sons, Enzo and Mario. His debut orchestral work, Symphony No. 1 “The Wolf,” is a visceral and bold musical journey; the culmination of years spent quietly building something worthy. He has also played in various rock bands, including Kitchen (alternative rock) and Seanaldinho (crust punk/doom metal), which was signed by Mindpower Records, an imprint of Quiet Panic.
Sean Michael Smith: The Metal Composer Behind Symphony No. 1 “The Wolf”
From Doom Metal to Symphony Hall: The Evolution of a Visionary
On this electrifying episode of Local Music Somewhere, host Greazy Keyz dives deep with Sean Michael Smith, a self-taught composer breaking barriers between metal and orchestral music. Smith’s upcoming premiere of Symphony No. 1 – The Wolf will be performed by the Charlotte Civic Orchestra, a monumental moment for the local music scene and for a musician who built his path entirely through grit, curiosity, and creativity.
“It’s not just music—it’s a movement, composed from pure love, grit, and gratitude.”
Born into a New York City family and raised in Charlotte, Sean blends his diverse roots with musical influences ranging from Mastodon to Arnold Schoenberg. His symphony is a 26-minute odyssey of raw emotion—melding doom metal textures with the grandeur of orchestral fire.
Crafting “The Wolf”: A Self-Taught Journey of Sound
Sean’s creative process is anything but traditional. Without formal composition training, he wrote and recorded the entire symphony in Pro Tools, using multi-track guitar recordings to map orchestral voices.
“You just do whatever you want. That’s sort of the point of music—creativity.”
From there, he transformed guitar lines into MIDI parts, assigning instruments like cello, trombone, and flute to create a symphonic narrative. He even experimented with pushing violins beyond their range to achieve a haunting, almost cinematic “screech.”
His background in doom metal helped shape his bold sense of dynamics and rhythm, proving that great music transcends genre.
The Wolf and the Family: A Catalyst for Creation
When asked about his inspiration, Sean shared that the catalyst for his first symphony came from a deeply personal place—the birth of his son, Enzo. Realizing that parenthood would consume much of his creative time, Sean threw himself into finishing the work before his son’s arrival. That urgency birthed a symphony both fierce and tender, a reflection of love and legacy.
Collaboration and Composition: The Art of Letting Go
Working with conductor Dr. Jeffrey Whitehead of CPCC brought new lessons in trust and interpretation. For Sean, it was an exercise in releasing control while watching others breathe life into his music.
He also shared his vision for blending genres even further—a future collaboration between symphonic strings and Charlotte rappers, bridging classical and hip-hop worlds in a bold cultural experiment.
The Charlotte Music Scene: Alive and Electric
Though Sean admits he’s been “heads down” while composing, he remains passionate about Charlotte’s eclectic scene. From punk shows at Petra’s to jazz at The Middle C Jazz Room, he reminds listeners that the Queen City’s sound is thriving—if you know where to look.
He and Greazy Keyz also traded insights on venues like Snug Harbor, Smokey Joe’s, and Evening Muse, celebrating the community that fuels creativity.
Message in the Music: “Always Keep Fighting”
If Sean’s symphony carries a message, it’s resilience.
“Always keep fighting. Things get dark, but the human spirit is strong, and we can persevere.”
That perseverance radiates through The Wolf—a musical embodiment of endurance, passion, and transformation.
🎵 Key Takeaways from the Episode
Self-Taught Genius: Sean composed his entire symphony by ear, building it from multi-track guitar parts.
Genre Fusion: Blends doom metal energy with classical orchestration, creating a new hybrid form.
Inspiration from Life: The birth of his son, Enzo, inspired the urgency and heart behind The Wolf.
Charlotte Pride: Proudly debuting in his hometown at CPCC’s Dale F. Halton Theater.
Creative Vision: Plans to merge orchestral compositions with Charlotte’s rap and hip-hop community.
Enduring Message: “Always keep fighting”—music as a reflection of perseverance and humanity.
🎟️ Attend the Premiere of Symphony No. 1 – The Wolf
📍 Dale F. Halton Theater, CPCC, Charlotte, NC
🕢 October 24th at 7:30 PM
🎫 Tickets available at tix.cpcc.edu
Final Notes
Greazy Keyz closed the show by reflecting on the timeless groove of live performance and the art of connection through music. Both artist and host shared a reverence for craft, community, and authenticity—the true heartbeat of Local Music Somewhere.
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