Life & Work with Sam Stokes of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Stokes.

Sam, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The album I’m releasing one part at a time is called “The Tale of Gaia.” It all began in 2020 with some songs being performed live and some being recorded in intimate settings. It wasn’t until 2025 that these songs had the opportunity to come to life in a grand sort of way.

I was lucky enough to work with Plaid Dog Recording in Boston. They are a recording studio that specializes in helping artists crowd-fund and pay for their records before they enter the studio.

We were able to over-fund our campaign and record 6 songs through Plaid Dog with an additional 3 in collaboration with other artists for a total of a 9 track album.

“The Tale of Gaia” is a love letter to humanity and a story of a soul experiencing Earth for the first time while also getting lost in the human experience. It is an invitation to experience the wonder all around us while simultaneously connecting to the reality of pain and suffering around us.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Just like the story of the album “The Tale of Gaia” is about our bliss and pain wrapped into one continuous journey – so too has the experience of recording this project been filled with its bliss and challenges.

The greatest reward was not only that we were able to over-fund the campaign, but that the perk for many of the donors was a tree planted by my two hands in the LA Forest. I regularly volunteer with Tree People (the delightful nonprofit in LA that helps restores forests and neighborhoods).

It was because of this campaign, I was able to plant over 40 trees myself in the name of people who supported this album from all over the world.

This album is in so many ways a gift for the planet and a gift for humanity.

Along that journey, of course comes the challenges of grief and loss – best reflected in the song from the album called, “Green Beans.”

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Life force.

Whether it’s in a recording or on social media or in a live performance, I value sincere, genuine, life force. Un-polished. Raw. Honest. Life force.

In the age of AI and hyper-polished candy production, I strive to connect and create music that connects.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Time.

It’s our most precious commodity and it’s what makes music such a precious art form.

We might listen to a podcast in 1.5x or 2x to get the information faster. Maybe even watch a movie faster.

But no one is sitting around listening to their favorite record in 2x just to finish it faster.

We put on a piece of music to live within that music. Which to me – is to live within the time it takes for the music to occur. That’s magic and it’s so precious!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://samstokesofficial.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam.stokes.the.fire/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYh7Owk3W_I3fiZbOENTHcQ

Image Credits
Photos by Judy Lin