Draft magazine

Draft article

Artist interview

So Sam, how did you get into music?

Well I got my first guitar when I was about 5, I’ve been playing pretty much since then. The guitar I have currently was a Christmas present when I was 15 from my parents. My dad plays guitar as well, he taught me when I was younger and introduced me to a lot of classic rock bands.

So what bands do you like listening to?

I listen to a variety of bands and artists from different genres to try and broaden my music knowledge. Catfish and the bottle men, Coldplay, ben Howard, the killers, the artic monkeys. Those are just a few artists I like. I try and listen to a variety when I can.

What bands inspire you?

Ed Sheeran Is a big inspiration to me, I love his music. I also like Mumford and sons and passenger, I think I have a similar sound to these artists in particular so I like to listen to their music a lot. I often hear lines I like that give me ideas for a song, or a certain kind of beat or feeling. Of course to start off with I made covers of songs to go on my YouTube channel. In terms of actions Ed Sheeran is a big inspiration to me, his new record label especially. He’s able to use what he has to find new, amazing artists and get them publicity. So yeah Ed Sheeran in particular has been a big inspiration to me.

Do you have a guilty pleasure music genre?

House music and EDM. I listen to it quite a lot actually. It’s just so different from what I play it gives me a break from it. I spend a lot of my time writing songs and playing guitar so it gives me a bit of variety. I try to listen to a variety of music and artists like me who are just starting out.

What other hobbies do you have besides music?

Nothing very interesting. I enjoy playing on my Xbox with my mates, watching TV. I’m a big fan of Game of Thrones. Me and a few friends often meet up to watch it when it's on or binge watch episodes together. I enjoy doing things with my friends, sometimes just chilling and watching films together, sometimes we go out and play football at the local football field.

Do you have places or people that inspire you?

I often find myself coming up with songs on the bus. When I was in college I had to get the bus there and back every day so I spent the time thinking up lyrics. Sometimes I steal ideas or just a feeling from other songs I hear or conversations around me. It depends on my mood, sometimes I can really get into it, write a few verses at a time other times it’s just the first line.

What do you write your songs about?

I try to write songs that people can relate to, not necessarily things I’ve experienced myself but things others can understand and might have gone through themselves.  Sure I write about myself and my own experiences, I want my audience to feel like they know me. It’s about engaging the audience and writing songs they will enjoy.

How do you begin writing your songs?

I just start with one line, then move on from there. Sometimes I get stuck on the first line, sometimes I end up with a song. Sometimes the first line will just come to me, other times I have to really think, imagine myself in different situations, think about things friends have said, stuff like that to help me come up with the first line.

Any awkward music experiences?

Once, when I was just starting out, I did a gig at the local pub. I was really excited about it, practising all day to make sure I knew the songs perfectly. I arrived half an hour too early, I was so psyched to get started. I waited for about an hour and a half for people to turn up. About ten people showed up in the end. I played anyway, and the people that turned up seemed to enjoy it. It turned out to be a really good gig, I just had high expectations leading up to it.

So how did you get noticed?

Well when I started out I had a YouTube channel and I made a few videos of me singing. After a while I was able to make a music video with the help of my friend for my song Simon Says. I asked all my friends to share it and people started seeing it and soon it had 20,000 views. It was crazy. I never had that many views before that but people really liked the music video so I started making a few more for my best songs. It gave me the boost I needed to get writing, which I did until I had enough for an EP. One day I got a call from Atlantic Records saying they wanted to meet with me. I went in a few days later and played them some of my stuff and they loved it.

How did you start your career once you were signed to Atlantic Records?

Well I started by creating an album, Tunnel Vision. I went on tour as the supporting act for Tom Butler, one of my favourite musicians. That was really fun and it got me a lot of publicity. I’m just really happy to have my music out there for people to enjoy.