Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Slick.
Hi Sam, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started writing songs when I was in college in Boston, playing in a series of bands around town and eventually releasing a few albums and going on tour. At a certain point, I decided to move to Los Angeles and wrote new songs on the long cross-country drive. My original plan in LA was to join a band and get to know the music scene, meet other bands, and continue to write new material, but no band I joined ever stuck together. I put together a band and just started to play my songs, and I’ve kept that momentum going ever since. There have been quite a few lineup changes in the years since, but I have released a few singles and two full-length albums, with more on the way. The current band has really hit our stride with more shows in LA and out of town than I have ever played.
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?
There are always obstacles to become a successful artist. I do not come from wealth, and the main struggle has been balancing my time creating music with holding down a job to pay for the creative process – practices, studio time, art and photos all add up to a considerable cost, plus the time commitments in all directions – although I currently feel a good balance. The other main challenge is the same that all musicians face, that while the modern era of music has allowed for greater access to recording and widely releasing music, the issue of standing out and being heard has become much harder because so many more of us are able to share our music than ever before. I can’t do anything about the vast quantity of good music that is available, but I keep refining my writing, our sound, and our band’s presence, so we hope to someday break out.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I consider myself a folk rock artist. When I write a song, it typically starts with just me and an acoustic guitar, and this usually carries through to the final sound of the song. I strive to write songs that will fit in the tradition of folk songs, with an emphasis on sharing something meaningful, whether it is a personal connection or a political statement, and always memorable and melodic. Going from folk to folk rock means that the songs will translate well to playing with an energetic rock band, with robust vocal harmonies and excitement in every instrument. My greatest achievement so far has been pressing two albums to vinyl as an independent artist, but as always I am most excited for what lies ahead and am proud to be creating music and playing shows with an incredible band. We have a distinct sound in our songs on record and on stage, a sound both relatable and memorable, not sounding too close to any other band in our orbit.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I never considered becoming a songwriter when I was young. Nobody in my family was a lifelong musician, but my parents played plenty of great music for me so I was always listening to something. I was a fun and goofy kid but fairly quiet because I loved to read. I also loved the outdoors and animals and would love to explore the woods when I visited my grandparents in rural Vermont. I did normal kid stuff, played sports, went to sleepovers, just hung out and had fun. At the time, I considered myself a little nerdy and awkward, but in hindsight, I don’t think I was much more than anybody else. I never considered writing songs or joining a band because the only kids who were into that were just not playing anything that had any real appeal to me, so I didn’t start playing any of that myself until I was almost out of high school.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://samslick.bandcamp.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsamslick/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrsamslick
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrsamslick
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mrsamslick
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1hB5tIzJBNfoSHqXIW8Q8q
Image Credits
Shawna Schiro, Chris Perez, Darin Martinez, Seth Lukas, Julianna Caduto
