Samuel Herb – Just a Tree

By starrymag | March 5, 2020

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Growing up, I loved anything country, Elton John, James Brown, Jim Croce, Foreigner, AC/DC, Little River Band, Three Dog Night and OBVIOUSLY Disney music. I think all of them play a small role in shaping how I write or how I chose my instrumentation. I love a mix of something to sing along to and songs that mean something – and I think these artists do that. I hope I can too!

 

Q) How did you come up with the concept for the song “Just a Tree?”

 

A) This song is about someone not texting me back. As funny as that sounds, I was having a bad day and that was icing on the cake. It felt like in my world, she was the whole universe, and in hers… I was just a tree! I got together with Drea and Elysse and we hammered the idea home.

 

Q) You wrote “Just a Tree” with Elysse Yulo and Drea Gordon. What was the benefit of getting chance to collaborate with them?

 

A) The most beneficial part of writing with Elysse and Drea is that they are both just beautiful humans. The kept me grounded with my idea and were the rock to my tree.

 

Q) For every 1,000 streams of this song as well as the two other upcoming singles, you plan to plant an actual tree. Why did you decide to combat climate change using music as a motivating factor?

 

A) I decided to help combat climate change because I constantly feel helpless when it comes to climate change. I wanted to give people a chance to make a difference by doing something super easy and affordable. As a person that works many jobs just to stay afloat, I want people to know it is possible to do something for the world, even without the means to do it.

 

Q) You also plan to release two more singles this year. Is there anything you can share about those upcoming singles?

 

A) I can share that they are freaking awesome! And they are back in the same vein as my other music. “Just a Tree” is VERY folky for me – these bring the horns back!

 

Q) Will fans be able to anticipate an EP or a potential new album in the near future?

 

A) I’ve been toying with the idea of an EP. To be totally honest, it all depends on having enough funds! I certainly have enough good songs!

 

Q) You have shared the stage with individuals such as Rodney Atkins and Tyler Hilton. Who would you most like to collaborate with in the future?

 

A) There are SO many artists that I would love to collaborate with. I’d love to write with Jason Isbell one day or sing a duet with Yola. That would be wild.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Samuel Herb performance?

 

A) From one of my live performances, you can expect to have a damn good time! And, by the end of it, you’ll know me. I tell stories and we will laugh and cry together.

 

Q) Your style is based in the Americana genre. What do you feel is the biggest misconception about Americana music?

 

A) The biggest misconception about Americana music is that it is “uppity.” We may hold our music and lyrics to a high standard, but when it comes to be loving without judgement, there’s no better genre.

 

Q) In 2016 you decided to make the move from Jacksonville to Nashville to pursue your music career. What is it about Nashville that fueled you as an artist?

 

A) Just looking at the Nashville skyline makes me happy. I love knowing that every single day I get closer to living my dream. I love where I am from because it made me who I am, but my dreams cannot become reality there. 2019 showed me that I have made REAL progress towards achieving what I set out to do when I moved to Nashville. I love the community that I have built in Nashville as well; we understand each other and we understand each other’s’ purpose. It is tough for people in Jacksonville to understand the journey of trying to survive the music world.

 

Q) When you decided to make the change into being a full-time musician, what was the best advice you were given?

 

A) The best advice I was given is: When you’re on stage, no matter how many people are out there listening, it’s not your time to play for them – it’s their time to watch you. That statement really helped me with perspective.

 

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

 

A) Ultimately, thank you. A lot of hard work goes into making these songs and traveling around playing them. It means a lot that people take the time to listen, share, and repeat. Thank you.