We had the opportunity to interview indie badass Samia! Her unique songwriting and vocals pop off each track and are sure to make their way into your music rotation. With immense talent at her disposal, Samia is an artist on the verge of a breakout. Check out what she had to say below!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
I wanted to sing like my dad! He has a comedy-rock band called The Dan Band and an incredible voice. I started writing music when I was 11 or 12 because of my sixth grade poetry teacher who introduced me to Anne Sexton and William Carlos Williams; music was the best way to combine my love of poetry and my desire to sing/perform.
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
I don’t have any infallible method yet. I usually write lyrics whenever they occur to me, on the train or when I wake up, etc. The melody comes with the lyrics if the song is going to be good. It’s harder for me to fit a lyrical concept into a melody or progression than it is for me to support a poem with music. The best ones come all at once, I think. Or, there is a cave-dwelling oracle to whom I pay monthly visits in order to procure the fully developed songs in exchange for my ability to do basic math.
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
Father John Misty, Angel Olsen, Nirvana, Andy Shauf, David Bowie, Mitski, Jeff Buckley, Liz Phair, Noname, Pinegrove, Drake, Fiona Apple, Rufus Wainwright, Sufjan Stevens, Wilco, Prince, Justin Vernon, The Strokes, Morrissey, Sky Ferreira……...countless others.
4. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
I have so much fun engaging with people in the audience. It’s vulnerable up there and I’m honored that anyone would travel/pay to experience that with me. I try to make the shows as fun as they are somber and incorporate some funny stuff. One time I forced a guy to propose to his girlfriend on stage and I’m still waiting for him to sue me.
5. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
I take the songs a lot more seriously than I take myself and I am so grateful for the opportunity to communicate through those means.
6. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
I’m working on my album but in the meantime I have two songs coming out this month and I’m going on tour with Donna Missal in February!