Sam Louis – See Me Now

By starrymag | June 9, 2023

By: Paige Zinaman

 

 

Q) Congratulations on the release of “See Me Now.” This song is such a powerful anthem, tell us a little bit about how it came to be.

A) Thank you 🤘 This record was actually written two years ago in the thick of the pandemic. My cousin Matt Migz and I drove up a couple hours north of Toronto to meet up with the legendary BADLOOK. We locked ourselves in the studio, determined to come up with something heavy. I had been listening to a lot of drum and bass (DnB) and thought that that style of music could be a perfect medium to link BADLOOK’s punk pop sound with mine. We wrote the lyrics and then recorded the whole song that day at his home studio. After that I sent the song to my friend Kevin Enstrom in Los Angeles. He was obsessed with the track and wanted to add a guitar solo. A couple months later he sent me his ideas. It reminded me of a theme song for a Saturday morning anime show. This solo is the element that inspired the anime cover art, and I knew then that we had something cool brewing. For about a year we sat on the song, waiting for the right time to release it. Both of us were in release campaigns for our other music and it wasn’t until fall of 2022 that the timing felt right to mix/master the record and get it out to the world!

 

Q) How is “See Me Now” different from other works you’ve done in the past?

A) This record is definitely a departure from my previous works. It’s edgier sonically but lyrically as well. It’s also my first collaborative release. Working with the type of energy that BADLOOK has inspired a more aggressive, honest sound. It’s allowed my music to grow in a new direction and perfectly set up the live grittiness of the upcoming album.

 

Q) With a message like “See Me Now,” do you often find yourself finding a commonality or message in your lyrics from the beginning or do you find yourself surprised with what you come up with?

A) I usually come into songs roughly knowing what I want to sing/write about or at least what emotion to aim for. With “See Me Now,” we collaborated on different concepts but this idea of breaking free from the grips of a past relationship really sat with us. We wanted to create this wake-up call with an unapologetic swagger to it. An anthem dripping with self-confidence even after the smoke of a toxic relationship begins to clear.

 

Q) You got to work with BADLOOK on this track. How did the two of you connect and what was that experience like?

A) I’ve known Dave (BADLOOK) for a few years now and we’ve been constantly trying to link on a new track. He is a production guru and his workflow is truly like no other. I knew that as soon as we got into a studio together, we’d be able to make an impactful, hard-hitting record. I met him through my friend Classic Roots (Joshua DePerry). We used to travel up north to different reserves and perform as a collective. It wasn’t until 2017 that we actually got to work together in the studio for the first time. We were all brought on to help create the soundtrack for a documentary called Turning Tables. Written and directed by Chrisann Hessing, this documentary went on to WIN best short at the 43rd American Indian Film Festival in 2018. This experience really brought me closer to Dave and was something that I’ll never forget.

 

Q) Throughout the process of production did you find it harder or easier to do “See Me Now” compared to past songs?

A) “See Me Now” was one of the most fun I’ve had creating a record. I think because the music/production really reflected the theme and emotion of the song so well. I always try and let the songs write themselves, I know that seems like a joke, but music tends to come to life easier when you’re connected to it and giving it space to grow. Originally, we were going to write a bridge for the song and then have the guitar solo last double the length. Both of these decisions were axed because of what we felt the song wanted. It had such a quick pace that we had to be careful with what we added or subtracted, making sure that it wouldn’t slow it down or make it feel too heavy. Song length and form have a huge impact on today’s industry, every part of a song has to grab your attention, so we didn’t want to force anything if it didn’t make sense.

 

Q) What is the message you hope fans and listeners take away from your music?

A) I like to call myself an emotional curator, as an avid music listener I love to listen to many different styles and moods of music depending on how I’m feeling that day. My goal as an artist is to give my fans a spectrum of niche emotions that they can connect with when they need to. I want to help people through my music, whether it be through healing, influence or mental health awareness, each song is like a channel for them to tune to when they need it most.

 

Q) Thinking back to the start of your journey, do you feel like you’ve reached what you set out to do or do you feel like you’re just getting started?

A) I feel like I’ve come so far as an artist and musician, getting older you learn that long term goals can become short term goals quickly if you put the work in. So, even though younger me at the start of my music journey would be ecstatic to see those original goals realized, myself today is constantly moving towards new ones. It’s a never-ending grind for creatives and entrepreneurs with this kind of mindset! We should be always learning and growing, it’s a part of the overall journey, and it would be boring if it wasn’t!

 

Q) Are we able to expect some live performances coming up soon? Is that something you’re wanting to do?

A) This summer we’re gearing up for some of our biggest shows yet. I love live performances – it’s where I started. I think our live shows always surprise people because that’s where our sound really shines, all the new music that I’ve been writing has been designed with a live set in mind. We’re kicking off our summer shows with a Canadian Music Week showcase at the El Mocambo on June 10th. We hit the stage at 10:15pm that night and we’ll be debuting three new tracks off of the new album, including my next single “FADED JEANS.” Our next show is with Smoking Room Only on July 13th, we’ll be playing the Rivoli. This is going to be the first show with all new music, fans will get to hear a bunch off of the new album before it drops this fall. We will be playing another big one in August at the Drake Underground with Breaking Sound, head over to my website samlouis.com for more details on that show coming soon.

 

Q) What is one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring artists?

A) BE PRESENT: So many of us get lost in the multiple sides/struggles of the industry. A lot of the times independent artists have to be juggling and multitasking many elements whether it be for a release campaign or a tour. This constant grind can force us to not be present in the actual act of ART that we love, creation. I found this when I was writing/recording my next album. I had to constantly remind myself to be present, clear my mind of all other worries or external fears regarding my career and just zoom in on what I truly love which is crafting music for others. This is when music writing can become meditative and therapeutic if you let it, opening it up to the true vulnerable/real experience that it’s meant to be.

 

Q) With the release of “See Me Now,” what can fans look forward to with you? What’s new on the horizon – an EP or a full album?

A) This past year I’ve been hiding out in Los Angeles writing and recording my first album. It incorporates live, analog and digital elements in a new way. In life we experience manic highs and lows, rarely do we get to live in a middle ground of balance. This record is supposed to reflect the constant dynamics of life, the push/pull, the unpredictability and the reflection of light and dark. To draw out this symbolism we’re calling the album 8 Ball. The 8 Ball is a B&W symbol when sunk too early means defeat, failure, regret but when aimed for and hit at the right time represents success, victory and power. This manic duality reminded me so much of my 20’s – the ups/downs and fears of failure on the road to your truth. This object having so much perceived externalized value, inspired me to find comparisons in other B&W symbols. Yin and Yang was the first thing that stood out to me. Another ideal that balances such opposites. The white tiger, in Japanese history the B&W stripes represents rebirth when a king dies; Incorporating themes of death and new life.

I’ve been designing and hyping this record for some time, but this fall it’s finally going to be completed. Sitting in a more alternative pop vein with influences of hip hop, emo, garage and anti-pop styles, the album will have eight songs each balancing the theme of extremes. It will feature live drums, guitar and bass layered over OVO type rhythms. The record will be pressed for vinyl, a first for myself as well as being made available on all streaming platforms. Lyrics will walk the listener through a bipolar lens, topics evoking mental health awareness and visibility. Getting the audience to be present in their good moments while understanding/confronting their lows. This album will spearhead a complete redesign and new push for my artistry, essentially encompassing ten years of music into one twenty-six minute record.

We also filmed one of my favorite music videos yet – think 90’s teen slasher movie meets Japanese horror. We will be dropping this alongside the first single end of July, so stay tuned.

 

Q) What would you like to say to the fans and supporters of your work?

A) You know, the more I do this, the more humbling it becomes. Hearing stories and experiences of your music helping or inspiring people really adds a beautiful kind of pressure and weight to the art. It becomes more and more of a selfless experience at the same time as it becomes a selfish one. I just want to say THANK YOU, and that I won’t be letting you down anytime soon. To my crew that’s been riding with me since the Wild Days, I LOVE YOU you’re the reason I’m still doing this.