Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Red.
Hi Samantha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in a family full of musicians, I began writing and singing at a very young age. I wrote my first ever song at the age of 6 or 7 years old with the help of my father. The song was about the detrimental effects of the 2006 Pangandaran tsunami. It was an encouraging song filled with empathy for those affected by the natural disaster. From there, I continued to experiment with my songwriting. I was raised in Brownsville, Texas right by the border of Mexico, so I grew up with a lot of Spanish influence that is now embedded in my music. My father was also in a Tejano band, so I was constantly being exposed to all sorts of genres in both English and Spanish. Mexicans really tend to “feel” their emotions. They are very passionate, which is why I love my culture. Being Mexican American plays a huge role in my songwriting. I write about love, pain, death, mental health, and so much more. While at times, some of my songs are about my personal experiences, the majority of the time, they are about other people’s lives. I’ve learned to put myself in someone else’s shoes and view the situation from their perspective. Ultimately, the goal with my songs is to connect with people and be a voice for them. I’d like to think of it as a healing process for myself and the listener. That has led me to win songwriting competitions, one in particular where I got to perform at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. From there, I decided I wanted to move to one of the most important cities in the world for music: Los Angeles. Since then, I’ve been trying to gain exposure by playing at venues around LA and sharing my songs with the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Imposter syndrome is a huge struggle. I’m sure it’s one many people experience along the way. It was easy to stand out in my hometown because of the small population, but now that I’m living in one of the biggest cities in the U.S., it’s easy to feel lost. Everyone here is unbelievably talented and has something wonderful to offer. I’ve found myself instantly playing the comparison game. However, that is the incredible thing about humans. Everyone is so unique and inspiring in their own way. They all have their own story to tell, and no one has the exact same journey. Reminding myself of this has definitely allowed me to persevere and find confidence.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a singer-songwriter from Brownsville, Texas. My ultimate goal is for people to be able to connect to my music along with me being a voice for those that can’t speak. All my songs tell a story, whether that be about my life or others’ situations. I’m a strong believer in bringing painful situations to light. I believe in doing so, you can begin healing. (Of course, when one is ready to do so). What sets me apart from others is that I don’t only write about love and heartache. I have songs about sexual assault, death, mental health, and more.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Dare to Lead with Brené Brown, and WorkLife with Adam Grant. All these podcasts discuss the importance of emotions and how to deal with them. This has definitely helped me understand myself better, along with reading people and their situations. It’s also allowed me to look deeper within myself when I’m songwriting, which in turn makes it a more cathartic, healing experience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthared__/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/samanthaared/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/samanthared__
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJV-TF5Q5vR6WOnu647xsgA
