Meet our members: Chris Smith

Chris Smith AKA Mister Smith is a musician from Horsham. He has just released an album called Sounds of the Brook journeying through the seasons, Spring to Autumn, with each track touching on different aspects of the seasons and local wildlife as well as stories from his own life. 

Chris recently became a member of Sussex Wildlife Trust. We caught up with him to find out about his music and relationship with nature.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I was always into hip hop and the art of rapping, but I began properly as a musician 10 years ago, doing gigs in local pubs. I then became a sound engineer and producer as well. 

How does the wildlife and nature of Sussex influence you and your work?

I've always enjoyed spending time in nature - where I live in Horsham there is so much wildlife, it's hard to miss it. As a child I spent a lot of time exploring the woods and this carried through my whole life. My grandfather is 97 and he told me he spent his youth playing in the same ancient woodlands. 

I love time to reflect and think there, talking myself through difficult situations. It's my prayer and therapy. 

Where is your favourite wild place?

Old Holbrook. It's in the older part of Horsham, separated by the dual carriageway. The forests where we did our videos are called "unnamed ancient woodland" on the maps. We filmed at different times of the year, it's somewhere I go once a week. We collated bits of footage. I did this with Pittaz Pro and Jacob Punter, two great local photographers and videographers.  

Chris has just released an album called  ‘Sounds of the Brook’