Delving into the inspiration behind the song, Sammm shares a personal story of heartbreak and self-discovery. Drawing influence from artists like Erin Lecount while staying true to her own musical identity, Sammm’s latest release explores the complexities of love and loss with raw honesty and emotion. From the home studio in Nashville where the recording took place, to her recent ongoing success in Rolling Stone’s America’s Next Top Hitmaker Contest, Sammm’s musical journey is marked by resilience and authenticity. As she aptly puts it, “While it’s a painful experience to be held by hands that don’t know how to or just simply can’t hold you the way you need, it is very healing and fulfilling to be able to turn that pain into art”. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
SAMMM: My grandma is a huge influence for me. She graduated Julliard with a degree in music. She was a concert pianist. I grew up listening to her play, as well as learning and playing piano with her. I am the only person in my family, besides her, that’s taken on such a love for music. I like to incorporate piano in all my songs. I wish she was here to see me pursuing my dreams in music, I know she would be so happy.
2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
SAMMM: I’ve never had formal training of any kind. I don’t know theory, I just learn by ear. Everything I know I have taught myself, or have learned from experience and others around me. It has definitely been more of a personal exploration. I would love to and plan to get professional vocal training in the future, I feel like that would help me enormously to be stronger vocally and more confident in my voice.
3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘SAMMM’?
SAMMM: I grew up listening to a lot of Avril Lavigne, Hilary Duff, and Britney Spears. Britney Spears was my first ever cd and concert. I was in 1st grade, and I actually got to meet her! She was the sweetest person, very down to earth. ‘Let Go’ by Avril Lavigne is still to this day one of my all time favorite albums. I would put on a lil “concert” in the break room for all the employees at my parents business when that album first came out haha. As a kid, I also made homemade music videos on my parents video recorder to Hilary Duff’s music allll the time.
4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?
SAMMM: My songs are based on personal experiences I’ve had and people I’ve loved. I write all my own lyrics and melodies. I was never professionally taught, it’s just something that has always been natural for me. I’d describe my sound as very honest, it’s music that comes straight from my heart. I’ve been told my music sounds similar to Lights, Ellie Golding, and Taylor Swift. While I do write about my own personal experiences, I want my listeners to resonate with my music in a way where they can relate it to their own life.
5. Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
SAMMM: I use my music to express myself and say what I want to say, regardless of who it upsets. If you are involved with me romantically, just know how you treat me determines if I write good or bad things about you. If you don’t want bad things said about you, don’t do bad things haha.
6. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?
SAMMM: I make music for the love that I have for this craft, it is my passion and what I love to do most in life. The ultimate goal in my music career is to be able to make a living off of what I love to do, go on tour, get US radio play, and truly just get my music out to the people that need to hear it.
7. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
SAMMM: It usually starts with big feelings and I’ll have an idea in my head. Usually the lyrics come with the melody for me. Sometimes the lyrics come to me first, it depends. A lot of ideas pop in my head while driving, and I just record voice memos on my phone. I also do a lot of writing in my notes app. I get out what I want to say and then piece it together and fine tune it over and over until I’m happy with it. I bring my voice memos and lyrics to my producer and we bring it to life.
8. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
SAMMM: I have a rare condition that effects my hands and my ability to play instruments well, as I don’t have full use of all my fingers. As a songwriter, that has definitely been the most challenging and frustrating part. I also don’t produce, so finding a producer willing to work with my small indie artist budget in Nashville, that I vibe well with and sticks with me, has also been super challenging. I have bounced around producers quite a bit and have loved the experience of working with each one, they are all amazing! However, I am still on the search for my Jack Antonoff to Taylor Swift.
9. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.
SAMMM: In 2021, my song “magic” got played on Indie Music Radio USA, WFMC Jams, and Monies New Music in the UK.
In April 2024, I played my first live show at the Vinyl Lounge in Nashville with Raynes and Hooked Like Helen.
This year on May 31st, I released my sixth studio single called “you’Re nOt soRrY (it will haunt you).” I released this on the persons birthday I wrote it about and put their name hidden in the title. At the beginning of June this year, I was in a contest for Rolling Stone for my music. I placed 4th in the group rounds and the only reason I made it that far in the contest was because, funny enough, the person I wrote that song about, broke up with the new gf 3 days after the release, and then bought $250 worth of votes for me which put me in 1st place for a few weeks. Hahah. I fully thought I was seeing things or had woke up in an alternate reality because what actually?? haha. I totally expected a different reaction from them, I definitely expected them to be mad I wrote a diss song about them.
On July 26th, I released my newest single called “legos to the moon” and it is actually a love song written about the same person. The verses, first pre-chorus, and outro of the song are written based on actual events in our relationship. The chorus is based from a brief conversation I had with that person and what they feel like to me. It is definitely a very different vibe than my release before, it has more of an indie folk feel.
SWAP Questions!
10. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
SAMMM: I really appreciate this question. Social media is so important especially for small artists like me. All it takes is one song, one video to change your life. While social media can be very rewarding, it is equally as toxic. I have been on social media since 2020 with several viral moments and have experienced endless amounts of hate comments, criticism, and bullying. I tend to ignore most of it. Block and delete. Unfortunately, this is something that comes with putting yourself out there. You just have to believe in yourself and your craft so much that you don’t let someone behind a screen with no profile picture ruin your dreams for you. Music is subjective. There will be people that don’t like you, there will be people that do. Do what you love for yourself and the people that support you are all that matters.
11. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
SAMMM: I loveee the creative process of bringing a song to life in the studio. I would be in the studio every day if my small indie artist budget would allow me to haha. I don’t have much experience with a live audience but playing live shows is something that I plan to do more of this year. There’s something really special about performing live and being able to share my music with people in that way.
12. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
SAMMM: I think it’s important for my listeners to understand what the meaning behind my lyrics are for me, but when I put my songs out in the world, they are for my listeners to interpret in their own personal way that resonates with their life.
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