Meet Brandon Sammons of Village Music Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Sammons.

Brandon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m originally from Kansas City, Missouri. At 17, I told my parents that I was moving and going to get a record deal somehow, someway. So in 1999, I packed my bags and moved to Minneapolis with my high school rock band “Sunset Black”. Three years later, at 20 years old, after selling out local music venues and playing on local rock radio, we signed a record deal to MCA Records. Sunset Black went on to record an album, then went on tour. And three months after our album release, the band was dropped by MCA because they were bought out by Geffen Records, along with all the other newly-signed bands.

After that, I decided I no longer wanted to stay in Minneapolis, so I reached out to friends of bands that I toured with and the relationships I built on the road to secure myself a job working for other bands. I sold merch, tour managed, stage-managed, guitar teched, babysat rockstars, etc. for about 3-4 years. In between tours, I would fly to different cities and produce bands that just so happened to be fans of mine, and that felt amazing. I started to really love being a producer and working with young talent and developing artists. I found a renewed passion and drive in regards to my own creativity through music.

In 2007 I moved out to LA with my best friend and shared a one bedroom apartment in Hollywood off of Cahuenga and Franklin Ave. I tried to start another band after I moved to L.A. but quickly realized, being in a local band in LA wasn’t like the movies. The band eventually ran its course and so did my effort to pursue music as an artist. After a few years of being in LA and getting a feel for the city, I started to meet people who also had a love for music. I started helping friends write songs and started developing artists.

In 2013 I found a studio production room to work out of in North Hollywood off Burbank ave and Magnolia. It was there where I learned to hone my producing and songwriting skills, as well as to develop a firm understanding of how to run a business.

In the spring of 2016, I moved out of the studio in North Hollywood to a beautiful home in Laurel Canyon. My close friend Rome Ramirez (Singer for Sublime with Rome), asked me to move my studio into his studio production house, Fresh Goods. This place was magical for me. Every room was turned into a production room. You would walk down the halls and hear different styles of music coming from every corner of the house. It was great to be around other talented producers and writers and find comradery with other peers. I’m forever grateful for those days.

Since then, I have been blessed to work with some of the biggest names in music today like Lady Gaga, Kygo, Bryce Vine, Adam Lambert, Girls Generation, Bad Wolves, Jeremy Renner, etc. I’ve had a number one hit on rock radio and do what I love for a living. I’m currently working on a new artist project of my own called “Sad Motels” that has a Huey Lewis and The News meets The 1975 type feel, which will be released later this year. For anyone reading this, I would say follow your dreams no matter how big or small. Anything is possible.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The world of music is ever-changing with technology and new gear. It’s up to us as creatives to find and understand new tools to use for our craft. I’m constantly researching, reading, listening, watching and observing trends within my industry. Adaptability is everything for staying relevant.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I specialize in Artist Development for independent and major label artists. My services provide songwriting, producing, engineering, mixing and mastering. One thing that sets me apart from others is my ability to work with artists in a way they can understand. I know what it’s like to be an artist and the validation and confidence artists need today. I find a common thread within them, something personal, something deeper, and in sharing that, they open up and magical things start to happen. It really is a beautiful thing.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is an illusion we tend to give ourselves or others. Love is all that matters. I love what I do, I love the relationships I have with family, friends, and myself. That to me is a success.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@villagemusicgroup.com
• Instagram: @bsamzmusic
• Twitter: @bsamzmusic

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