Sammi is a lifelong musician that has learned how her own heartbreak and tragedy can heal others through music. Sammi makes music that touches your soul and moves you. Be moved by Sammi and BareBones Ent as we discuss her music, upcoming album, tragedy, and much more.
BBE: How would you best describe your music to new listeners?
Sammi: My music is described as pain captured, turned into beauty. With influences from Indie Pop artists like Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, as well as Adele and Coldplay influences, I worked to create something with a unique and stripped sound, something that we don’t hear that often anymore.
BBE: If you could only play one song of yours to hook a potential listener. What song would it be and why?
Sammi: The song I would use to hook a potential listener would be “One”. Really, its message is what is most important to me, and I would take every opportunity to show this song to everyone if it would help even just one person.
BBE: You’ve been making music for a mass majority of your life. What drew you to music?
Sammi: I was blessed to be born into a very musical family – my Dad was a choir teacher for about half of my life, and my Mom is an incredible pianist and musician. Through observing their talents, I developed mine. I didn’t take music seriously until I was around 13…when I began writing. However being “serious” at 13 is nothing near serious at 20! My relationship with music evolved drastically throughout my teen years, as I experienced high school, tragedy, healing. It’s an ongoing process, and I am still finding new ways to further my relationship with music.
BBE: Starting out, what type of music did you like to play or sing?
Sammi: As a young child, I deeply enjoyed singing opera and jazz. Those two genres were the most exhilarating, and I found a lot of joy in that…I initially began my musical endeavors being classically trained – to this day I enjoy the challenge. I did, however, want to experience music in different ways. I really enjoyed listening to R&B, Pop, Folk, Indie, etc – and I found a passion in trying new genres!
BBE: In 2020, you went through a horrible tragedy. How do you feel that impacted the music that you make?
Sammi: I initially had an entirely different album ready to be recorded in 2020- it was heavily influenced by R&B artists and had a completely different vibe. Everything changed in 2020, when I was in an accident caused by a drunk driver that resulted in the loss of someone dear to me. Throughout this loss, I found peace in music. Whether through listening or writing, music healed me in ways nothing else could. After writing a song for my dear friend who we had lost, I felt a spark to write with purpose. Instead of simply writing for my own healing, I would write for others. This new purpose has given my life meaning, and I continue to write about my pains and tragedies, in hopes that it can help others heal from theirs.
BBE: What do you think is the power behind music that it can help heal people?
Sammi: Music is a universal language. It connects us all as humans – what better way to communicate with others than with music? To use a language that connects with people physically, spiritually, and emotionally all at once? Music has the power to heal wounds that cannot be seen, and to me – that is very powerful, and something to be cherished. I am humbled and honored to be able to use music to communicate with those around me.
BBE: What does it mean to you to make music that can touch someone’s life so deeply?
Sammi: A few weeks following my accident, I felt a sudden spark of inspiration and wrote the song “One” in under an hour. This was the first song I wrote that was raw and deeply personal. I immediately recorded it, and later posted it on Soundcloud, rather quietly. Without ever promoting the song, it picked up a following of people that all had lost someone and found peace in the music I wrote. In reading the many comments paying homage to loved ones, I realized my purpose. Truly, writing music that can touch and help others is THE most important thing to me.
BBE: You have an album coming out soon called, Silver, what is special about this album to you?
Sammi: My album Silver authentically captures a moment of my life in which I was at my lowest point. It follows every heartbreak, every love, every loss, everything. I truly wrote every single song from the heart; weaving pain and hope into every lyric. Creating beauty from something so horrible is a life-changing experience, and I can’t ever go back. This is what I am meant to do, and I can only hope what I create reaches those who need it. Silver is a reminder to find beauty within your pain.
BBE: What information can you give us on the album?
Sammi: Silver has some very special characteristics to it – first in that it was recorded with live instruments. This isn’t something you hear very often anymore (as digital is quite accessible). By having live instruments on this record, our goal was to achieve a raw and genuine experience that can only be found within live instrumentation.
This album was recorded and produced at the legendary Studio X, along with their crew and some INCREDIBLE musicians. I am honored to have worked with them, and we really had so much fun creating this record. This collaboration project truly came to life much more than it would have had I done it on my own. I couldn’t have done it with my incredible team!
I also had the opportunity to have all songs of the album mastered in spatial audio. This is a relatively new technology, and I am so stoked to be a part of it, especially being one of the few starting artists releasing their entire debut record in dolby atmos. Super exciting stuff!
BBE: Are there any songs you are especially excited for people to hear?
Sammi: I am SO excited for people to hear “Satellite” – not only am I proud of its creation, but this song really shows off the spatial audio we include in the record…I love space and the concept of being within something much bigger and complex than anything that could ever be comprehended…and so featuring spatial audio in this song is fitting.
BBE: What is the hardest part for you preparing for an album release?
Sammi: You know, the hardest part about preparing for the release of an album for me is the excitement/anxiety of how it will be received. This album was written FOR the people, in hopes that it will be healing/special for listeners. My only hope is that it reaches those that need it most, and that it inspires good as more and more hear it.
BBE: What is the best way for fans to keep track of your release and communicate with you?
Sammi: My socials are a great way to stay in touch with me and my music endeavors! I usually post heavily on Instagram and Tiktok!
Instagram: @sammiswenson Facebook: Sammi Tiktok: @sammiswenson
