Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Shi.
Hi Sam, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been drawn to music and creativity from a very young age. I started performing when I was 5, writing songs by 13, and have continued evolving ever since. Growing up between Sweden, Kuwait, London, Shanghai, and the U.S., I was exposed to a wide range of cultures, languages, and sounds. That global experience deeply shaped my perspective and my artistry — I never quite fit into one box, and that tension led me to create a sound that’s eclectic, genre-fluid, and deeply personal.
After years of working in the corporate world while building my music on the side, I eventually reached a point where I knew I needed to fully commit to my art. I taught myself production and DJing in 2020, released my first projects, and performed in some of New York’s most exclusive clubs. My music blends electronic, indie, alternative rock, and pop — all tied together by emotionally honest lyrics and a haunting, ethereal vocal signature.
Most recently, I’ve stepped into a new chapter as SAM SHI — a rebrand that feels like a more authentic embodiment of who I am today. My upcoming project, IF I’M BEING HONEST, is not just an album, but a multi-dimensional body of work that ties into live experiences, a global community called The Surrender Circle, and my ongoing exploration of what it means to let go, evolve, and be fully present in this moment. Every part of my journey has led me to this point — and honestly, I feel like I’m just getting started.
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?
Yes and no. It’s definitely been bumpy at times, but I wouldn’t call those bumps struggles — I’d call them necessary parts of the journey. Every twist, challenge, or detour has shaped me into the artist and person I am today.
Growing up constantly adapting to new countries, cultures, and environments did teach me flexibility and resilience — but at the same time, it also created a kind of numbness and distance from my own sense of self. I became very good at adjusting to fit whatever environment I was in, sometimes to the point of losing touch with what I actually wanted or who I really was underneath it all. In many ways, my artistic journey has been a process of remembering — reclaiming my values, reconnecting with my own voice, and allowing myself to fully inhabit my truth rather than constantly shape-shifting.
There have been moments of uncertainty — not fitting neatly into one genre or scene, and feeling like I was carving a path that didn’t yet exist. But I’ve learned to trust that what makes my work unique will resonate with the right people. The bumps have been teachers. The friction has revealed what matters most to me. And that’s very much what surrendering represents for me — releasing control, staying present, and allowing the real version of myself to emerge fully.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I’m a multidisciplinary artist — a singer, songwriter, producer, DJ, and performer. My work blends electronic music with indie, rock, and alternative influences, centering around my vocals with emotional depth and energetic, driving production. I’m drawn to contrasts — dancefloor energy mixed with intimacy, electronic beats layered with organic instruments, moments of release woven with introspection.
But beyond the music, this creative process has been deeply personal for me. It’s been a way to reconnect with myself, to peel back layers, and to rediscover parts of who I am that I had numbed or lost along the way. Growing up constantly adapting to different environments taught me flexibility, but it also left me feeling disconnected at times. Through creating art — and through the support of my closest friends and collaborators — I’ve done a lot of inner work to reclaim my values, my voice, and my truth.
I’m currently in the process of building The Surrender Circle — a community and space that extends beyond just the music. It’s about inviting others into this process of surrender, self-exploration, and creative expression. It’s still growing, but my hope is that it can become a space where people feel safe to explore, release, and reconnect with themselves, just as I have through my own journey.
What sets my work apart is that willingness to sit in the gray space — to embrace nuance, hold multiple truths, and create from a place of raw honesty. The music is only one piece — underneath it all, it’s really about connection, transformation, and coming home to yourself.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t a fixed destination — it’s a feeling. It’s being able to live in alignment with my values, create from a place of authenticity, and continue growing both as an artist and as a human. Of course, there are external milestones — releasing music I’m proud of, playing shows that move people, building a sustainable career. But ultimately, success feels most real to me when I’m present in the process, when I’m creating work that feels honest, when I’m surrounding myself with people who inspire me, and when I’m contributing something meaningful — whether to one person or a thousand.
I think a lot of us are conditioned to chase external validation — more streams, bigger stages, industry recognition. And while those things can be exciting, I’ve learned that true fulfillment comes from staying connected to why I started in the first place. Success, for me, is the ability to keep surrendering to the unknown, to trust the unfolding, and to stay rooted in my truth while allowing the vision to evolve.
At the end of the day, it’s about being fully present with what’s here right now — appreciating the small moments, the connections, the creative flow — and holding gratitude for the opportunity to do what I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://samshi.music/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samshi.music/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantashi/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@samshi-music
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/samshi-music
Image Credits
Guzel Khos
Natalie Bonanno
