An enthusiast for life

Dom Smith is a multi-skilled journalist and editor. He’s founder of northern-based music magazine Soundsphere and of Disabled Entrepreneurs, a network for start-up business people. He’s also very enthusiastic about everything – except escalators

What is SoundSphere?
Soundsphere Magazine is my passion point. It started off as a website about the Northern music scene, then I got some funding to take it into print. I don’t just want to be typecast as a music journalist though – I also love copywriting. At the moment, I’m working on projects in York that are based on creative people in the city.

What’s the best thing about SoundSphere?
We’re very well connected with the music scene in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and York. We give opportunities to people up here. Our main remit is to spotlight Northern creative talent.

What’s the best thing about York?
The positive attitude. I can walk out of my office and within two minutes I can find someone wanting to help me at Soundsphere.

Who is the most fascinating person you’ve interviewed?
I suppose it would be the company that built the very first audio iPhone game with no visuals. General iPhone buffs don’t get it, but the blind community love it.

Who would you most like to interview?
It’s not very cool but I’d say Marilyn Manson. The problem is, he’s very difficult to deal with. We’d arranged an interview and he cancelled at the last minute. I think he’s a bit mean.

What are your top five bands?
This is the worst question you could possibly ask! But OK: Kid Adrift, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Placebo and Incubus.

What makes you angry?
Escalators. Somebody has to hold my waist because my balance is terrible. I even had one guy who just picked me up and chucked me over his shoulder.

If you were Prime Minister, what would you do to improve things for disabled people?
I’d abolish escalators. Seriously, some people really struggle with them. Like me.

Who is your favourite disabled person ever?
I’m going to be hyper-local. Shane Bratby, who I co-founded disabled
entrepreneurs.co.uk with. He is so passionate about what he does.

Do you have any special or hidden talents?
I’m an awesome swimmer and that’s hidden because I don’t walk around in swimming trunks all the time.

How would you sum yourself up in less than ten words?
One word: enthusiastic. People like my enthusiasm, people hate my enthusiasm. I’m enthusiastic about my job, I’m enthusiastic about this interview, I’m enthusiastic about everything.

• Visit soundsphere mag.com and for more information on Disabled Entrepreneurs disabledentrepreneurs.co.uk