A Quick Chat With Sam Syrah

Meanjin/Brisbane indie-rocker, Sam Syrah, has just released a touching new single ‘Love Hurt’. Opening up in the personal story, Syrah navigates his immense loss and grief of his dear friend. Like an ode to his friend, the gentle track captures a range of engulfing emotions of sadness, anger, regret and confusion. We caught up with Sam Syrah, who tolds us more.

Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?

This track is still a little difficult for me to talk about/think about.  It's written as though I'm having a conversation with my best friend who had suddenly passed away in a bike accident only months prior to recording.  Although what you're hearing now isn't how I'd initially intended the story to be.  Come time to lay vocals down I just had this urge to get something out and Jesse was all I could really think about.  I don't think I even scratched the surface and am still going through this thing a year later which is why it is still tricky for me to navigate/talk about as well as listen to...  At the moment it signifies for me a time where I was faced with a severe bout of adversity and in order to get through it I had to get relative, drop my guard and allow myself the freedom to feel.  I think that is a listen worth holding on to and I suppose that is the message I want to pass on.  Allow yourself to feel, allow yourself to breathe and then allow yourself to move forward through that moment in time acknowledging the hurt whilst growing through it.



Who are some of your influences and why?

Alex Turner is my biggest influence.  The way he twists and contorts stories is unparalleled to me.  He's deliberate and a thinker which is something I aspire to and have tried to maintain within my work.  I admire the time he takes to grow within and around his art.  He also doesn't seem to take it all too seriously and I think there is something to be said for that mentality. It's tricky to articulate why though at the end of the day because most of all it's just a feeling I have towards his work that keeps me there.   



What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?

My style and approach is always changing.  I'm always changing...  There are however certain parameters I live by.  Firstly, always keep the channel open.  If I for one second feel an energetic blockage in my general being I know instantly that my work will suffer because of it.  I always address the blockage first.  Secondly, I try to maintain decent writing/reading habits whether that be free writing first thing in the morning etc...  Lastly, never force anything.  Just because you didn't get a song finished today doesn't mean you won't tomorrow.  There is however a pretty fine line between not forcing anything and being lazy which I think is pretty important to note.  It's important to keep working the muscle so to speak as a general practice.



My recording process starts with my producer (Sam Woods) and I getting together and planning everything out.  Then once we lay the bones down we start to bring players in to fill it in.  I'm very careful with whom I work with.  The energy and relationships with each player is really important to me.  It's gotta feel like a well oiled machine.  No ego's.  No bullshit.  Just a group of people doing what they love with people they love. Again, it's a feel thing. Also, always serve the song.



What do you think makes a great song?

A good story matched with complimentary arrangements and instrumentation.  If an artist doesn't have something to say I don't find myself sticking around.  The whole idea of music is to make us feel something. So make me feel something...



If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

I've not really put much thought into this... Matt Corby comes to mind instantly.  I really dig the journey he's on, almost unwavering like.  He so easily could have done the popstar thing but he didn't which I think takes a lot of bravery when it's kind of put in front of you like it was (Australian Idol).  He's got some cool artists under his label and maybe there's space for a Sam Syrah there somewhere...



When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?

I'm a big frequency and energy guy.  I put a lot of energy into my health and general well being.  It's probably more important to me than the music if I'm honest.  Without health we have nothing.  



I surf a bit.  I'm also playing waaaaay too much fortnite at the moment which I guess can be considered a creative outlet.  I can build a sizable fortress pretty quickly.



Who are some local bands we should check out?



JUNO, Taine Joso, Ruby Jo, Menajerie, Rosa Mack, Gracie Lou, MOU, Fat Picnic.  



Winter or summer and why?

Winter... I love layers and fashion.  It's hard for me to look good on a 40 degree day.  I don't like unnecessary sweat.



What else do you have planned for 2023?

I plan to release another single or two as well as a music video.  Get back into the studio and tackle some new tracks.  Play some cool shows hopefully.  Outside of that... Keep on growing, keep on learning and most importantly, to quote Matthew McConaughey, keep on livin.  Love that guy!

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