Getting To Know... Sam Seccombe

Having spent the last few years building up his reputation for bold and expressive alt-pop ditties, London-based singer and songwriter Sam Seccombe now returns with his latest upbeat romp 'I Won't Be Doing That Again'.

Self-described as his most pop-driven track to date, 'I Won't Be Doing That Again' offers up a wonderfully bright and uplifting side to the artist's catalogue. Filled with broad melodies, sweeping hooks, and his own pristine vocal style, make sure this is one to check out the next time the world brings you down.

So with the new single out and about, we sat him down to find out more about his background and what has inspired him over the years.

-

What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

Definitely the guitar! I picked it up when I was about 11 and felt the urge to follow in the footsteps of my dad and learn to play classic rock tracks. Finding John Mayer's stuff a few years later changed my style hugely and I haven't looked back since. Not too long after that, my dad handed down his early 80s Japanese Squier Strat - nicknamed Woody - to me when I was about 15. Needless to say I fell in love with it . It's got a priceless tone and has definitely moulded my sound over the years I've been writing and producing.

What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?

I remember being 18 when my mate showed me Tom Misch's music. It blew my mind that it was possible to make all of that in your bedroom, and so I wanted to try it myself. That's what led me to recording/producing my own music, which has given a whole new perspective on music in and of itself. I'm always trying new stuff when I'm producing and it's a real driving force behind my sound. It's really liberating when you can sit in the studio (or in my case, bedroom) desk chair and guide the track to sound as you want it, with complete creative freedom. I'm not sure what my music would be like if I didn't have that freedom.

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

Early teenage years were strictly John Mayer + Led Zepp + Queen. I started to loosen up around 18 and ended up finding a real love for Neo-Soul and Jazz - D'Angelo, Bill Evans, Erykah Badu etc.

What inspires you to make music?

I love hearing what people think of it once it's finished. There's a definite element of fulfillment knowing someone likes a track just as much as you loved making it.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

Early Jill Scott doesn't get old and has been on repeat recently. I've also been listening to Adele's 19, having brushed over it for far too long, which has been really refreshing. Jeremy Zucker and Charli XCX also make the list - a proper mix as always.

How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?

Hahaha too many. All about getting your feelings out though which is healthy, and great too if it means you make good music at the same time. I remember one of the first things my mate said after my last break-up was, 'sure this sucks, but you'll get some banging tracks out of it'. I'd like to say he's right - it's definitely been a plentiful source of writing material.

What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?

Good question! One of my favourite moments was when a fan from Australia contacted me out the blue, with the same name as me, and said he plays my stuff and loves my guitar work. That was bizarre given I've never heard of anyone with the same surname as me, but also really wholesome. Felt warm and fuzzy for a long time after that.

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

It would have to be Mayer. 100%. Including a backstage jam, 4 hr long DMC about life, music and all things meaningful, surprise guest appearance on stage, and 25-minute extended guitar solo outro to Gravity. Does it show that I've thought about this before?

If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?

Well I've just graduated with a Bachelors in Architecture, so that's a realistic option and I'd be very happy doing that. Alternatively could have ended up doing Physics at uni, so who knows where that would have ended up. Maybe the next Brian Cox? Or Einstein. Somewhere in between those two.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

It's something I'm told all the time but it doesn't get old and always carries the same reassurance and grounding to whatever situation I'm in. It's to enjoy what you're doing and trust that the rest falls into place. I don't believe in success without a natural passion for something.

-

Sam Seccombe's new single 'I Won't Be Doing That Again' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.