A QUICK CHAT WITH SAMMM.
Brisbane-based indie-rock artist SAMMM. shared his upbeat new single 'Stronger Now' the other month and recently paired it with a dynamic masterpiece of a music video. With his first release since his EP 'Fresh Sheet Feeling' (2020), SAMMM. has joined forces with Brisbane director Phoebe Faye in a music video that forefront his charisma and edge. We got in touch to find out more about the track, his influences, creative processes and more.
Can you tell us a bit about what this new track and music video is about?
'Stronger Now' is for everyone who has ever battled with addiction or been in close proximity. The music video simulates spiralling round in a circle only to unravel towards the end. 'Stronger Now' is five years old, written very shortly after I came out of detox and had to leave a lot of people behind in my life to unlearn some behaviours.
What are some of your influences when it comes to music and why?
I was really trying to reach back into some of my teenage roots for this one. I revisited albums like Futures (Jimmy Eat World), This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About (Modest Mouse) & It’s Not a Fashion Statement, and It’s a Death Wish (MCR).
The biggest influence on my music at the moment though is just trying to live in a routine, getting some exercise and simply taking my vitamins.
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording to creating a music video?
My creative process has always been changing. I was writing songs strictly on my acoustic guitar for my first EP (Mandarin Season in 2018) which was funnily enough where Stronger Now was meant to originally feature as track #6 (It was nowhere near ready!). Then, my sophomore release Fresh Sheet Feeling was demoed over the course of 8 months on an old Zoom multitrack studio. I remember sweating all through the summer crouched over this tiny box, and I used it until all the faders fell off. I had to arm my tracks with a guitar pick at one point too!
Now I have been writing songs and taking them straight to the band, fleshing out what works and what doesn’t. We recorded Stronger Now live and I really want to continue that method with our new songs!
I work closely with Brisbane-based Director Phoebe Faye for my music videos (full disclosure - also my partner of 5 years). She has known me for most of my musical journey and really helps me articulate the emotions behind the songs into a visual idea. Phoebe wrote Stronger Now to connect with my journey - it’s really special to see all these hidden emotional easter eggs fleshed out in this clip, then to make it surrounded by friends and my band.
What do you think makes a great song?
Honesty, lack of hesitation, unpredictability.
What do you think makes a great music video?
I like music videos you cannot predict, that whisk you away and demand your full amount of attention.
Recently I really loved “Friends” by Seasoning, “ALL I DO” by Redspencer & “Rattled By The Rush” by Pavement. They all feel super nostalgic.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
It may not end up being a collaboration but a learning experience and it would be with Stephen Malkmus from Pavement. My all-time favourite band and they are timeless. I want to learn all about his lyricism, his songwriting style and probably take a guitar lesson at the same time.
When not working on music, what other creative outlet do you have?
My life is food-focused. I enjoy eating, cooking, and occasional uber-eats. My cooking speciality is breakfast - so when you’re hungover at my house on a Sunday morning you might be in for a treat.
Who are some local bands we should check out?
Miranda Vs Arizona, Sids Balcony, Tourist Drive, & Sacred Blue are my #1 favourites right now!
Winter or summer and why?
Winter, because I don’t own any shorts. I also love crawling into a layered made-up bed with fresh warm sheets.
What else do you have planned for the year?
Expect another single in the near future, a band holiday, and heaps of shows!