Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthieu Samouiller.
Matthieu, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Matthieu Samouiller, I’m 24 years old, and I’m a professional multi-instrumentalist from France.
I started playing guitar at the age of 5, drums at 7, and piano at 8. Music has always been a part of my life, but for a long time, I never imagined I could make it a profession.
After high school, I pursued higher education and earned a master’s degree—similar to an MBA—with a focus on entrepreneurship. My studies took me across France, Spain, and even to French Polynesia (Tahiti), where I had a turning point: I met a guitarist who helped me land my first paid gigs. He also introduced me to the Musicians Institute in Hollywood and guided me through the application process.
The following year, I focused on developing a unique solo piece that combined guitar, drums, and piano—my three core instruments. I had the incredible opportunity to perform in a five-star palace in Biarritz, which was a major step in my journey.
Eventually, I made my way to the Musicians Institute in Hollywood to refine my skills and take my music to the next level.
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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road.
One of the first challenges I faced was the language barrier—it was tough to keep up with some classes at the beginning. But the biggest struggle was financial. The school was very expensive, and the cost of living in Hollywood was extremely high. It was especially difficult because, with a student visa, I wasn’t allowed to work and earn money. Getting by was a real challenge, and there were times when I wasn’t sure I’d be able to continue.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a multi-instrumentalist with a passion for layering sounds and creating rich, dynamic music.
I love using a looper pedal to record and blend all the instruments I have around me in real time. While I focused on the guitar program at Musicians Institute, I also took lessons in drums, keyboards, and vocals to broaden my musical foundation.
More recently, I’ve started learning the saxophone, and my ultimate goal is to master guitar, drums, keys, saxophone, and cello at a professional level. I want to incorporate all of these instruments into my own compositions. Don’t worry—I’m putting in the hours and doing the work!
I aim to create soulful, meaningful music and travel the world performing it. Right now, I’m working on my debut album, and I’m incredibly excited to share it soon.
Any big plans?
I’m planning to release my debut album at the beginning of next year, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.
Alongside the release, I’m hoping to organize a DIY tour—booking shows, hitting the road, and bringing my music to new audiences, one city at a time. I also want to create travel content along the way to give people a behind-the-scenes look at what life is really like on tour as an independent artist.
It’s all about sharing the journey, not just the music—and showing that it’s possible to build something meaningful step by step.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Hotel du palais,
Marc Antoine Protière
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