INTERVIEW: Sam Way — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Sam Way

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HERE is another artist I have featured before…

and am keen to catch up with. Sam Way has been talking with me about his track, Hard Feelings (out on 17th August), and how it came together. I ask whether he is growing between every release and what he has planned for the future; which artists he was compelled by growing up – he reveals three albums that have impacted him.

The talented songwriter selects some upcoming artists to look out for; whether there are going to be gigs in the pipeline; how he is coping in the hot weather; the advice he would give to artists emerging – he tells me how he chills when he is not recording music.

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Hi, Sam. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi, Music Musings. I’m good. Thanks for having me…and…the week. Well, it’s been full-power on the countdown to the release of Hard Feelings.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

Sure thing. My names Sam. I live in Bethnal Green - and I’m about the release a cello-driven Dark-Pop tune on 17th August

Are you enjoying the heatwave? Is it leading to any songwriting and creativity?!

Ha! God, no. My. I’m trying to record some acoustic tracks at home and my laptop is humming so loudly trying to cool down - you can hear the noise bleed into the MIC!

Hard Feelings is your latest single. Can you reveal its story and inspiration?

It is indeed. The essence of Hard Feelings was born in a co-writing session with another songwriter. We were both talking about our lives, then our relationships and found a common a point there. It’s a song that explores the nuances of love and loss and acknowledges simply how challenging feelings can be.

Do you find you are growing with every release? Have you grown in confidence since the release of the E.P., Archetype?

For me, it’s just about taking the next step; just do that really well and see where you go after that. Confidence rises and falls I think, too. Right now, I’m pretty excited about dropping the new single and working with an indie label for the first time, too.

Which musicians did you grow up listening to?

Eminem, Dr. Dre; Benga, The Prodigy and Sum 41.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

I want Hard Feelings to really fly; release another two tracks as singles, play a headline show in London; sort out the festival season for next year and really want to play a show in Turkey - I have a large fanbase there (bizarrely) waiting to see me play.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

So many. Going on my first road trip with my dear friend and artist Anna Pancaldi has to be up there.

Which albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

The Prodigy - The Fat of the Land

It just blew my mind. I saw them live two years ago in Alexandra Palace and it was electric.

Fat Freddy’s Drop - Based on a True Story

One of the best albums I’ve ever bought. It’s been with me ever since I started diversifying my musical taste from Hip-Hop and Drum and Bass as a teen. This album was an education.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I’d want to support Nick Mulvey and have a rider of fifty different types of herbal tea - for before I play - and three rare vintage bottles of whiskey for after. Oh…and maybe some cake.