Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Altman.
Sam, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Upon expressing early interest in music from a young age. I began studying guitar and exploring different facets of rock, folk, and “early americana” music. Growing up in Denver, Colorado there was no shortage of experienced local musicians who had a lot to offer my young musical ears. I studied at the Swallow Hill Music school when I was about eight years of age and that’s where I met Chris Sauthoff, a former guitarist/ life long friend of the great George Clinton. Through his knowledge and experience, I was able to dive into a world of funk, rock, and even flamenco. All of this paired with the great stories and perspectives of my teacher about life as a professional musician and what it was like touring with a legend such as George Clinton.
Shortly thereafter I applied to study at the “Denver School of The Arts” a 6th through 12th-grade magnet school that requires all students to audition. This single experience alone helped nurture me as a musician for seven amazing years. I studied classical guitar in depth as well as jazz guitar. I also was given the opportunity to privately learn from amazing artists that visited the school such as jazz greats like Kurt Rosenwinkle and Jonathan Kriesberg. Even better, I was exposed to the idea of collaboration across multiple arts majors. That was what was so amazing about my middle school and high school education. I saw the power of collaboration with theatre, dance, visual arts, vocalists, and creative writing majors who shared the same passion and intensive focus that I began to harness and devote my life to. If anything, I recognize that arts practice isn’t something that many people have access in public schools. So I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to study at a school that prioritized both arts and academics. Approaching my senior year, I had already played many shows in various settings across Colorado and I won awards for best student band in all of “Denver Public Schools’ of which I was fortunate enough to open up for lead singer of “The Fray” Issac Slade at the Ogden Theatre.
I also brought a small guitar trio to Portugal where we got to perform in the countries capital of Lisbon. I then set my eyes on furthering my musical education by choosing to study at the world-renowned “California Institute Of The Arts’ in Valencia, CA right outside of Los Angeles. I’m now planning on starting my senior year in the fall and I could not be more excited to experience another year studying under amazing world-renowned musicians such as Larry Koonse, Steve Lehman, Derek Oles and David Roitstein. I specialize in Jazz but my passions of music extend beyond a single genre. This is something that the music community holds as a value at CalArts. I now actively play around Los Angeles serving as a lead guitarist. I also produce and compose music for myself and other musicians. My main project is my solo career under my artist name “Sam Pine”. I just finished my debut EP “The Way We Cope” in early June and will release it on September 18th, 2020.
This EP is a step in the right direction in being able to fuse all of my diverse musical passions. It sounds like Funky Pop, RnB, Soul, and modern jazz elements combined into lush musical layers and arrangements. The message I wanted to convey was about my mental health and the anxiety I experienced over the recent events happening in the world. I wanted to address my personal mental health and create music that represents the spectrum that we all are on and dealing with daily. I also wanted to convey love and the multiple faces love has in our lives. Lastly, I wanted to talk about my experience being apart of the youth in America and fighting for a better future while protesting in my local communities in support of the “Black Lives Matter” movement. I’m excited to share with the world music that is very personal to me and I hope that my message can inspire others to openly talk about what pains them, what energizes and excites them, and what makes them want to be an activist and stand up against institutions and systems that have caused mass incarceration and discrimination in this country.
Has it been a smooth road?
If anything, I feel blessed to be in the circumstance I find myself in. I have supportive family, friends, mentors, and even fans. I also have been lucky enough to have music as a constant throughout my entire life. This has given me a way to navigate life that has provided much joy and peace. With that being said, I am constantly battling with mental health obstacles, primarily stress and anxiety. Over the past couple of years, I’ve experienced many changes in how I view myself and the world and I am starting to learn to invite obstacles and welcome them as opportunities to grow. I would like to address that being a musician alone doesn’t promise a smooth road. In fact, a lot of musicians like myself have experienced doubt from others who see it as a lifestyle that isn’t viable monetarily within our modern society. With that being said, I am also very confused, mad, and sad to say that CalArts is raising tuition every year even during a global pandemic. Where classes aren’t guaranteed to be in person during the fall semester.
As a musician, we need to have in person interaction and attention. If we can’t be guaranteed this by our institution yet be expected to pay skyrocketing obscene tuition rates then how do they expect us to flourish as artists? To use what we learned to our fullest potential? Instead, the model of a private institution seems to only benefit the ones who can afford it, which creates an elite class of people within the artistic community at CalArts. So as of right now, I am trying to combat the tuition increase and maintain my place as a student, but it has been an uphill battle to see any change whatsoever from administration. We as art students need to have administration that fights for our best interests and it just doesn’t feel like that as far as the actions that they have shown us so far. I love the growth Calarts has offered me and all the connections and friends I’ve made, but I find myself in a love/hate relationship and that to me seems to be the biggest obstacle. I am trying to be a successful professional musician but that success and prosperity seem to be an uphill battle at every turn starting at the institution the promises to help and support us.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am proud to say that I am primarily focused on my solo career right now, under my alias “Sam Pine”. Like I mentioned above, I anticipate my first debut EP “The Way We Cope” on September 18th, 2020. I believe this EP represents what I hear musically as of now and for that, I could not be happier. Beyond my solo career, I serve as a freelance musician, composer, producer, and guitarist for multiple musicians around the greater Los Angeles area. In terms of what sets me apart from others: To start, I believe in admitting that I am wrong. I believe in strengthening my ability to listen to the clients or peers that I collaborate with so that I can fully serve them and myself. I have started to see that removing my own selfish tendencies makes me a better collaborator and person.
Secondly, I have over 12 years of experience in studying music academically and in many diverse perspectives. I have chosen to study Jazz in depth which has given me a very informed approach to many other genres of music. I also am constantly improving how I approach teaching others (some of my private students) and I hope to continue to learn to be a better teacher and overall musician. I also see the power in daily practice and self-improvement with my instrument. Making me well prepared to serve the LA music scene and beyond to the best of my ability.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles is such a diverse place. You can find amazing players from every genre of music. Los Angeles also provides amazing opportunities for music that isn’t considered “mainstream” and for that I have always admired the city and its music scene. I feel like California, Specifically Los Angeles and its opportunity definitely swayed my decision to move from my hometown of Denver, Colorado and pursue a professional music career. Because I am just entering into the professional music scene in Los Angeles, I am hesitant to say what can be improved or changed just because truthfully, I haven’t experienced enough to say. What I have found that works for musicians starting out in LA like myself is to try to be authentic and kind to everyone you come in contact with. Let down your guard and don’t try and play into the different stereotypes that characterize people in Los Angeles. If anything, I’ve found that people are surprised when they find someone who is unapologetically themselves and radiates kindness, and I feel that once you pair passion with the ongoing struggle to be yourself, then your off to a good start.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 3038773808
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @sampinemusic
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