Photo credit: Haley Pierce
What inspired you to begin a career in music?
I still remember the first moment I fell in love with music. I was a baby – like barely walking – and watching Free Willy with my older brothers in our living room. I heard Michael Jackson’s ‘Will You Be There’ and my mind was blown. I knew that music was going to be an integral part of my life. I think the thrill and the freedom of creating in general is what I find most appealing. I’m my best self when I make room for creativity. I already experienced what life is like when my music is not my priority and that’s not the type of life I want to live. I want a career that is going to fill me back up after giving so much of myself which is why I decided that music is my end all, be all.
What differs you and your sound from other upcoming artists in the music industry?
I think my voice is definitely unique. I really enjoy playing with the different ranges of my voice for different songs instead of just staying in one safe place. I just write about what I know and what is true to me. I don’t try to pretend to be someone I’m not or write about an experience I am not familiar with.
Your debut EP ‘Saved for Somebody’ is out now. Can you please describe the creative process and the inspiration behind the EP?
I wrote the songs in my room with my guitar or on the train for the most part. These songs have been major outlets for my healing process from unhealthy relationships. This project was the closure I needed from those situations. These songs helped me realize why those relationships didn’t serve me and that there is something better out there for me. So, I would write some songs and share them with my friend and producer, Matt Fredette and he would build out the production or we would do it together. The project is very raw and intimate which is reflective of our creative process. Every song was recorded in my tiny apartment with one of my closest friends.
Everyone experiences good days and bad days, as a musician, when you have a bad day, what motivates you to keep moving and look ahead to the future?
Great question! There are so many ebbs and flows as a creative so I think it’s important to understand what’s going to feed you when you feel like you’re running on empty or feel stuck. First, I try to understand why I am having a bad day. What triggered it and that helps me figure out what measures I can take to pull myself out of that place. There’s a few things I do: I look back at my past victories and words of encouragement from people I love. For example, I will look back on the bts footage of music videos, shows, and recording sessions to feel that sense of excitement again and remind myself why I chose this path. I’ll watch interviews and live performances of artists I adore and want to learn from. I go through my vision board and goals list to check myself. I just try to soak in as much joy as I can to make a bad day a little better.
In your own opinion, what is the most meaningful song you wrote? What makes you say that one?
That’s tough… I will say ‘Next Girl’ for now. It was written from a very hurt and vulnerable place. The time I wrote it was probably the most broken a person has ever made me feel. It was everything I wanted to say to the person that hurt me but I never had the courage to say to his face. The song was originally 7 pages long and was supposed to be a ballad… After a few months of navigating through my emotions I circled back and found so much strength and relatable truths in the lyrics. I felt it deserved to be an anthem for anyone moving on from an unhealthy and toxic situation.
Throughout your musical career, have you experienced any ‘wow’ moments? Those moments that you stop to reflect and can’t believe you are where you are?
I would say I have those moments happen mostly after shows and after a new release. A lot of people have no idea the amount of time, accountability, hurdles, money, favors, research and strategy that go into releases. Especially when you don’t have a team or a label to support you. So, anytime there is a new release I’m learning more and trying to have a better approach. The reward of hearing my music and seeing my face on all streaming platforms AND being accessible to the world outside of the speakers in my apartment is such a crazy feeling. It’s a blessing. And for shows, I have crippling, physical anxiety before any show. My throat used to close up and it felt like I swallowed a gallon of sand and I’d be insanely nauseous. It would really affect my voice and performance. To feel the growth and gain more control over that has definitely been a “wow” factor for me.
Photo credit: J. Andre Graciano
What is the importance of the connections you make? How can you utilize them?
I think your connections can become your creative community. Any connection should be with people that you can learn from in some capacity and if the opportunity presents itself, grow with. To me a connection is more than just reaching out when you need something. Like, these people have helped you get to a certain step in your career, so just checking in from time to time to see how they’re doing, inviting them to shows and just keeping that relationship alive can be really beneficial.
What personal advice would you give to someone wanting to pursue this career?
Experiment with your sound, you don’t have to fit into a box. Just be you and take whatever amount of time you need to figure out who you are and what your artistry is. Absorb as much information as you can from learning any instruments, techniques, software, and elements of the music business. You don’t have to be an expert at everything but it’s important to have an understanding so you’re not lost and going into conversations blind.
What does the foreseeable future hold for you as an artist?
I’m planning on performing a lot once our communities are safe enough to be out in public. I’m really excited to connect with an audience outside of social media again. An LP is for sure on the way and I’m just ready to create with more people.
‘Saved For Somebody’ is available now via all major platforms
Connect with Samantha Patten
Leave a Reply