“Live Review: Sam Sims at Red Bank River Fest” - Ellen Woloshin
“Live Review” - ELLEN WOLOSHIN
Music Life Now
Interview
- Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. Let’s start with the latest single “Breathe”. Where did this song come from? This song was written on a mountain top in Nicaragua. I was helping the community with donations such as clothing, guitars, and music lessons. I was also surfing and songwriting.
- Will it be included on an upcoming album? The Breathe album has been in the works and should be forthcoming in 2021. It will include 10 tracks and I also have a bundle of additional singles to release over the coming year.
- We hear some very strong pop sensibility in your songs but at the same time the instrumentation is rooted in acoustic instruments. How did you come up with that unique sound? I like to hear organic tones and my family played a variety of instruments so I was always around unique natural sounds. I’ve always liked beach music you can feel rhythmically combined with raw instrumentation.
- You are known for playing the ukulele, where did that start for you? Do you have any ukulele influences? I started playing ukulele after learned in guitar and traveling to Hawaii for an extended time. I was really into folk music and was searching for a sound that was authentic, healing, and not completely stuck in a single genre.
- When did you realize that you were a musician? How did you get started? I learned piano when I was younger from my mom which gave me some basic skills. I started to learn the guitar in my early teens and had a lot of influences thanks to my family. I learned the harmonica and the ukulele not too long after the guitar. Being able to play guitar and harmonica at the same time and take the ukulele anywhere you wanted was the best thing ever. Growing up in the south, I was around many types of music and cultures. Initially, I took guitar lessons and was fortunate to have a few great teachers. During my time in Oahu, learned ukulele tips and played traditional songs daily with the locals.
- Where can people find out about your upcoming shows and releases? Everything is on the website www.samsimsmusic.com and the events page gives details on upcoming shows www.samsimsmusic.com/events . There is also a mailing list signup on the website homepage. You can sign up to get news on new music, shows, and special events.
- What’s next for you as an artist? I am planning to release the Breathe album (10 tracks) and also rollout some singles over the next year. There’s a lot of new music so it’s really an exciting time! There are a few acoustic shows this spring, and the band plans to resume performances (conditions permitting) in the 2021 timeframe. As the pandemic subsides, I’m glad to have more time to be creative and finish recording new material.
- What do you do when you’re NOT working on music? I fit a lot into everyday overall. Yoga, meditation, hang out with my family and my wife, go surfing, swimming, or paddle boarding, occasionally sell real estate, and work in IT.
- What sort of non-musical influences do you have? Nature, love, life experiences, stories, friends, family, travel, and culture.
- Before we go, what do you want to say to fans of the music? Thank you so much for listening and continuing to support the music!
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