Sam Alfred interview at Beyond The Valley
Audio interview recorded live Wadawurrung lands.
Audio transcribed and edited on Gadubanud country.
Interviewed by Sam Owen
Sam Alfred the rising star from Lutruwita lands graced the stage at Beyond The Valley this year after a mammoth year on Australian festival and club circuits. Sam delivered a classic set on Day Two of BTV with his signature fun and energetic sound. His performance included uplifting piano leads, vocal driven swinging garage house and modern twists on quintessential 90’s samples. Sam has quickly asserted himself across scenes with his ability to bring people together with his playful and fun energy on stage. Already an accomplished producer and artist the future is bright for Sam with national and international tours in his sights. Hear more about Sam's journey and process below in our interview on site at BTV.
What is your earliest music memory from your childhood?
My earliest music memory would be when I was 12 or I stole my mom's credit card and bought a Flume album off iTunes. That was the first electronic album I heard. After that I just fell in love with electronic music. I was very interested and very curious about how it was made. So that was what really tickled my fancy early on and started my journey in dance music.
What has influenced and inspired your journey to this point?
I learnt classical music when I was young. I feel like discovering that kind of music early on was a good outlet and helped me experience a range of genres as I got older. I feel like that had a big impact on me wanting to learn new stuff as I got older as well. At the moment people like Cassettes For Kids, Mall Grab and Skin On Skin all inspire me. Other inspirations include artists like Black Loops. I've got a lot of inspirations from just different genres, but those guys are in the main ones.
Who along the way has had an impact on your journey?
My first ever Xe54 gig I supported Loods and got to spend time with him after the show. He was the first big artist I met that I also looked up to. Supporting CRUSH3d was also a lot of fun too. He has had an impact on my music journey thus far. These guys have been great because they're obviously great guys who are happy to give advice and help out where they can.
Thinking back on growth in the last year, what have been some memorable moments?
I feel like playing Pitch definitely played a massive role in my growth as an artist. Before playing Pitch I feel like I didn't play anything super cool. Developing my sound and playing on stages like Pitch I was able to build a bit more of a following. I then started getting approached by so many different agents, managers and labels.. I remember feeling this is kind of serious now. Because before that I was sort of of treating gigs as a bit of pocket money. But then playing Pitch and gigs around Australia things started to get bigger and bigger. Then naturally it began to feel like it was becoming more of a sustainable job as time went on. But yeah, Pitch and interstate gigs played a big role.
What are some things you do to inspire your best creative self?
I feel like listening to lots of different types of music. I tend not to listen to much dance music in my down time. I feel like listening to different types of music is great for inspiration and also taking the time off to enjoy it as well. Because you can spend hours in the studio and get nowhere. So I feel like taking time out of the studio to freshen your ears and expand your taste is important.
Who are some artists that inspire you?
Oh, great question. Electronic would definitely be Mall Grab. His music and work ethic are very good. He has been able to shape such a unique and engaging sound. Yeah he is crazy and a full purist. For non-electronic music I would probably say Drake. Obviously it could be considered corny but his ability to stay on the top of his game for so long is very admirable. To do what he’s doing for over a decade is incredible .
What's the feeling like as you reflect back on all the growth this year as you about to play the biggest dance floor in the country?
Oh it's just been mad to think about it with all of the things that have happened this year. To finish off the year playing BTV is really special. I feel very grateful for the opportunities I've had and enjoyed seeing all the growth. So yeah, feeling very happy and content about everything. And yeah, BTV's the best festival, so you know, very exciting being here.
Looking into 2023 is there anything you’re looking at?
I feel like releasing on international labels is definitely a goal of mine next year. I’ve been approached by quite a few. So yeah hopefully that will get the balling rolling internationally and then an Aus tour would be dope. But yeah, keen to get the ball rolling here and see if we can get an international tour going. Doing a tour here and playing over in Europe would be a lot of fun.
Is there a particular country that you like to play?
I’d be keen to play in Ireland and England. That would be really cool. Playing at the Manchester Warehouse Project would be dope. So definitely those two places.
Is there anywhere in Australia you’d like to play?
Running my own event in Melbourne for sure. I feel like there's so much to do in Melbourne. I’d love to do my own event and handpick some artists to play. That would be dope as, so definitely I'd like to do that in the future.
Do you think about what the future holds for you?
I am happy just riding the wave for now and enjoying the moment. Sometimes thinking too much about the future can be unhelpful as it can be scary as it's so far away. But yeah, I'm just riding the wave and seeing where it all takes me.