SAM J: FRIENDS
Sam J catapults herself into the music scene in 2019 with her single ‘Friends’. Coming from a graphic designer background, Sam J expands her creative repertoire by diving into her first venture as a musician. The track exhibits Sam J’s cognisance of toxic situations and her doughtiness when detaching herself from harmful scenarios. We spoke to Sam about the stories and inspiration behind ‘Friends’.
A1on1: How has being exposed to everyday life and normalcy imprinted itself onto ‘Friends’ and in your music?
Sam J: It’s so relative and music has to be, otherwise people don’t connect with it and sing along. So, I sing about the everyday and for me, that’s unfortunately being rejected by a lover. Most of my songs are about love and rejection, but they make good songs.
‘Friends’ is a vulnerable collation of a particular rejection experience and the ensuing reflections.
Can you talk about capturing those emotions and does it ever pose a challenge?
It’s always a challenge to be so vulnerable and say things that actually happen. Like when I wrote the line “I know you don’t like my hair”, that’s because this guy said he doesn’t date girls with short hair. Even though that hurt me, I put it in the song and he got offended, ‘cause he knew the song was about him and it portrays him in a bad way. I’m a people pleaser and I never want to hurt anyone, but I also want to write good music. That line was unique, so that trumps over feelings
Is writing on your own easier or does working with a collaborator help you channel your emotions better?
I always try and start to write on my own first ‘cause those words that come out at the time is what I’m really feeling without knowing and then I really capture the message of the song. Then working with producers and other writers definitely help to finish the song to its full potential.
Sam portrays an outward strength and resolve in the midst of heartbreak and dejection. This is driven through the lyrics, ‘If it’s like that/I don’t want that’ and ‘I confessed all my love but it’s just not enough so forget it boy’.
How big of an impact has songwriting had on your confidence and strength as an individual?
I feel I’m learning to stand up for myself as a woman when it comes to the way I’m treated or want to be treated. I always want to be an example to other women that they are more than what others think of them and they are strong on their own as well.
Do you think songwriting has made you more in touch with yourself and your environment, or has that always been one of your qualities, and songwriting is just the vehicle to express that?
I find out more about myself after I write a song. It’s like my heart knows more about me than I do. That sounds weird, but the words come out [to show] how I’m feeling, and I can express more in the motion of melody and song. Once the song is fully finished I feel I understand what I was always trying to capture at the time.
Why did you want a song that captures heartbreak as well as self worth to act as your musical introduction?
I feel it’s a song that relates to a lot of women out there. It’s something that will resonate within others that even in heartbreak and rejection there is more and there is strength 🙂
Can you talk about your experience in graphic design and how it links with your desire to make music? What correlations are these between the two?
I always love creating and always want to be different. I do my Instagram layout graphically because I didn’t want it to be so self-consumed with photos, but rather with typography and collages and to show there is more to my creativity than just music. Creativity is always an outlet. Sometimes I go “I need to make a collage” or “I need to write a song” before I explode.
How does being in the creative field make it easier or more challenging to make music?
It’s a tough industry because everyone is so talented, and you want to stand out – simply making good music isn’t good enough. You need a great message behind it, you need to start a trend, or a point of difference and then thinking about all of that just makes it harder. But I just do me and what I feel is a vibe then go from there.
‘Friends’ entwines contemporary elements of pop and RnB when giving listeners a lens into the heart of Sam J.
For ‘Friends’ what art, stories and culture (music and otherwise) shaped how the track manifested and progressed?
H.E.R was a big influence on the song. Her rawness and soul/RnB vibes really pushed that vision in “Friends”, plus the story of my life.
Sonically, this song is raw, particularly with the inclusion of the low-fi sonic ambiance. This parallels the theme of the track and gives listeners an opportunity for reflection.
Can you talk about organising the arrangements and your process?
Tbh I have a great producer who understands my low-fi vibes. Sometimes I’ll tell him “give me more oomph” and he will know just what to do. We work closely together and I’m very hands on with the producing. I literally sit behind him and say “yes love love love that” or “no put that in the bin”.
Where do you find more comfort as a musician when constructing a song?
I love just being in my room and vibing the song. Like, every good line and melody I write, I’ll get up and dance around in front of the mirror to see if it’s a vibe.
Lastly, can you talk about if ‘Friends’ gives a direction for what we can expect from your music in the future?
You can always expect truth and vulnerability but with a bit of fun. ‘Cause I’m all about good times and making the music dwell deep.
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