Sami Ilmola – Love Sami X

By starrymag | May 2, 2025

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I would describe my sound as atmospheric electronic pop. I also include violin in my songs, and I play all the parts myself. So, I also describe it a mixture of classical and electronica. I hope my classical background of violin and opera can be heard from my songs.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I listen to basically everything except hard rock, so my influences are many. I love to listen to movie soundtracks, especially soundtracks from romantic comedies or dramas. So, composers like Marc Shaiman, Hans Zimmer and Alan Silvestri are some of my influences.  When I need to relax, I listen to classical music.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Gold.”

A) I wanted to write a song that is a reminder that you do not label yourself to any categories that society forces you to in. It hopefully gives force and strength to people who feel bullied, marginalized or discriminated against. It also has a thank you for those who have given support to me, even if it has been distant. My favorite artist Angelina Jolie said, “To be an artist is to be suspicious of labels.” That is exactly how I feel. Every time somebody has tried to categorize me, I’m like, “No.” As human beings we are so much bigger than labels.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I believe the message is as current as possible, and that is what has connected to fans around the world. People need to feel support, and to make it through art is my job. So, if I have succeeded in giving people force and hope, then my job is done, and I am truly happy.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) My writing process is quite weird for sure. Sometimes I just hear melodies that I believe come from somewhere higher than life. Then, I start to write it, and I usually come up with lyrics. Some songs are made in a day, some have been in the making for a year.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I do all my music myself alone. That is everything from writing, to recording, to singing and playing the violin. I love to have creative control, and you can have that when you do it yourself. Maybe one day I will collaborate with someone.

 

Q) Your album Love Sami X is out now. What are some of your personal favorite tracks off of it? 

A) My favorites are “Gold,” “Open Road,” “On My Way” and “Wanted To Love.” I hope people will check them out.

 

Q) It features all twenty of your hit songs. Why decide to include so many of your celebrated tracks on it? 

A) “Gold” has received such a great response, so I wanted to include my previous works that might have gone unnoticed.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

A) I love to perform in my music videos because they are like small art pieces. And you get to tell a story in a music video, an audiovisual story.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I would love to collaborate with some of the pop queens in the world.

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I have been listening to Kylie Minogue’s Tension albums a lot. I like her sound.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you for your support from the bottom of my heart. That makes my work meaningful!