Las Vegas-based artist Sam Lemos steps into a bold new creative era with his new album 'Three Triptychs', led by the striking single ‘Psalm 515’. A multi-instrumentalist, producer, and professional saxophonist, Lemos continues to blur the boundaries between music, theatre, and literature; crafting work that feels as conceptually rich as it is sonically immersive.
Drawing from sources as wide-ranging as King Lear and biblical scripture, 'Three Triptychs' unfolds as an ambitious, multi-layered concept album. Structured as a trilogy of “triptychs,” the record charts the gradual dismantling of identity, moving from the instability of the personal self to mythological and theatrical reinterpretations, before ultimately dissolving authorship altogether.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I started playing saxophone around age 10, and by the time I was in high school, my whole life was centred around the instrument.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Middle and high school for me were almost entirely focused on studying and listening to jazz music. But then Kid A came out, Radiohead caught my ear, and my musical interests began to change.
What was the first album you remember owning?
My parents bought me two Beatles CDs when I was about 8 or 9 years old, Revolver and Abbey Road, and I listened to them non-stop.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are so many, but right now I’d say Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears. It’s a perfect pop song.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I very much need to gather information and experiences in between albums, so I’ve learned not to stress when no ideas are coming. I wait, read, listen to music, practice guitar, and watch films, knowing that eventually a storm of ideas will break out. I’m either writing or I’m not. When I am, it’s all I’m thinking about, and it seems to happen all at once.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Mk.gee is incredible, and he’s probably my current favourite newer musician. James Blake is a genius. I love The 1975. I also love BTS, like, genuinely love them, so it’s very exciting that Arirang is out. And I’m always cycling back to The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Radiohead, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Nick Drake, etc. Scott Walker’s later music is very important to me and serves, in a way, as a model for my new record.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I don’t know. That’s a tough question, because opening for someone can be tricky if your music isn’t well received. I’d hate to open for an artist I adore and have their core fans not dig what I’m doing. I really have no idea what type of people would like what I do, or which bands’ or artists’ music would have crossover appeal with mine. I guess the real answer would be that I’d like to open for anyone who would have me, but let’s say The 1975. I’d love to meet those guys, and George is my favorite living pop drummer (besides maybe Phil Selway, Ringo, and Phil Collins).
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I use music as a way to process psychological and spiritual energy. I think I’d go insane without it.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I play saxophone professionally, and sometimes late in a gig (set 4 of 4 at 1am), my energy is so drained that I know my playing is bad. That’s a rough feeling. Also, it’s frustrating that my preferred medium of expression, the full LP, is diminishing in significance.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Practice is for thinking, and performance should be as empty of conscious thought as possible.
-
Sam Lemos' new album 'Three Triptychs' is out now. Listen to it in the player below.