
Summerville Journal Scene
Summerville musician Irene Smith will entertain Flowertown Festival attendees Saturday with her southern-style singing and guitar playing, offering listeners a taste of her deep southern roots.
“I just discovered the term ‘Americana,’” Smith said. “It’s folksy, country (and) Christian. I write about family, the South, shrimp and grits, God, southern life.”
The 24-year-old, 8th generation Summerville resident and has been writing her own music for the past seven years. Several songs were written specifically about Flowertown in the Pines.
Smith plans to sing the song “Summerville” to the festival crowd as well as at the Sunset Serenade at The Ponds, to be held at the community’s outdoor amphitheater at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday.
“Summerville is the most amazing, small town to grow up in; it’s classic America, I would never want to grow up everywhere else,” Smith said. “Vanilla cokes at Guerin’s Pharmacy was a staple of my childhood.” The cold treat is mentioned in her Summerville song.
Another song, “Home to Charleston,” has been popular with audiences, Smith said. Her music reflects simple, calming melodies that focus on her personal lyrics and finely-tuned soprano voice.
Smith will be performing these songs and more at the Taste of Summerville event during the festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The sunset serenade performance will be from 6:45 p.m. until 7:15 p.m. where Smith’s sister, Lydia Smith, 20, will accompany her on the violin and with backup vocals. The sisters will be opening for the Summerville Community Orchestra.
“I’m a little nervous about the Sunset Serenade because it’s in front of a whole orchestra,” Smith said. “But, it’s my town (and) I know people here (and) I’m excited.”
Smith began her musical career with private voice lessons, and soon became a member of the St. Paul’s Church Choir. She attended an overseas creative music program and has been playing ever since. She graduated from Charleston Southern University.
Although singing isn’t her full-time job, Smith enjoys playing music at different venues in and around Charleston. She will be going on a tour to Nashville in April with Charleston Christian musician David Childs.
To hear Smith’s music, visit www.myspace.com/irenesmith. Her Summerville song has recently been added to the site. She can also be reached at 475-9540 or Irene.rose@juno.com.
Contact Jenny Peterson at 873-9424 ext. 216 or JPeterson@journalscene.com.
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E: First of all, I am not from Ohio. I was born in Columbia, SC and grew up in the area. Thanks. Secondly, there is nothing ill-mannered in being critical towards someone's creative work. I write. People criticize it in good and bad ways. So it goes. It has nothing to do with who I am. Sp when I say that Irene's music is godawful, I don't care who Irene is, because it ultimately doesn't matter. The music is generic, the lyrics on a fourth grade reading level. It's nothing new, E, and with all the crap coming out of the radio and elsewhere today, we could sure use some originality. Irene just doesn't have it. Obviously you have never read any sort of critical work or you wouldn't bring up how nice and Christian Irene is. I'm sure she's as perfect as you say. Then again, that has nothing to do with my comments. If it did, your argument would be justified. As it is, you have no grounds for one.
Posted by: R
Hey R, I guess they neglected teach you northerners about manners. Let me break it down for you. If you enjoy complaining so much about the south and what it has to offer, then shut up and move. I know Irene personally and she is such an amazing Christian woman with so much to offer the world. Just because you don't like her style of music doesn't mean you have to attack her personally. Get the hell off your high horse, go back to Ohio or wherever else you damn yankees come from, and shut up! K, thanks!
Posted by: E
I just wish that there were people getting paid to write and record and play music who actually knew anything about writing and/or music. Irene may be a phenomenal individual, but her lyrics and music are purely in line with the degeneration of any kind of musical aesthetic. If you are from Summerville, Charleston, wherever, and you love these songs, I certainly understand why. I understand that you can drive down the street and see the Pharmacy where Irene grew up drinking Vanilla Cokes, and that you, too, have probably been out to Folly Pier and maybe even did a shag dance out there yourself. But who needs another song about sweet tea and collards? There is so much that people need to hear about and music is a tool to reach the masses, but if people are listening to this 20-something year old and thinking "God, that is good music," then you have been in the south for way too long. It's not surprising coming from a state that only graduates 56% (REAL statistic) of their high schoolers. Will someone back me up and help save the world from a girl whose good intentions haven't gotten outside of a ten-year-old's heart and mind? Grow up, Irene, and learn how to write a song that doesn't implement repetitious G and C chords progressively. Thanks.
Posted by: R
Irene Rose's music is phenominal. What a beautiful girl with incredible talent! She did a lovely job at this past weekend. The audience truly appreciated her performance. I believe that she will have great success in the future! I believe we have a rising star in our midst
Posted by:
I attended the festival at The Ponds on Saturday evening and I was thoroughly impressed with Irene and Lydia. Irene's performance was personal and professional and her songs were amazing. I can't wait to hear more of her beautiful gift in events to come!
Posted by:
Don't go to the site and listen... someone's mom or dad believed in their child a little too much
Posted by: Braden
you have got to be kidding me.....this is some of the worst music I have ever heard....she should quit right now and save us all the pain of having to listen. She's a nice girl but definitely doesn't have a future in the music industry.
Posted by:
I'm so excited Irene's going to perform this year! She is so talented. Can't wait!
Posted by:
Irene Smith has a beautiful voice! Her spirit shines through when she sings! Her lyrics are just an added bonus. Also, I've been to a Christmas party at her house and used to be in the choir with her and her sister, Lydia. They are both amazingly talented!
Posted by: Christine White
Irene is a much better songwriter than she is a singer, but I wish her the best. Nothing like a girl that can play a guitar.
Posted by:
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