Samuel Larsen – You Should Know

By starrymag | March 3, 2017

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

Q) Your most recent song release is “Blue.” How did you come up with the lyrics for the song?

 

A) Well, I don’t generally like to give up meanings of my songs, as do lots of other writers I suppose, but to be transparent the lyrics for “Blue” surfaced when I was in a fairly toxic relationship a few years back. It was in that relationship that I learned that The Beatles were off their heads when they said “All you need is love” because we were madly in love with each other and just couldn’t make each other happy, just incompatible. That’s where blue came from.

 

 

Q) How does the video for “Blue” play into the message of the song?

 

A) We’re still in the last stages of pre-production for the “Blue” video and I think it’s gonna be my best. I’ve got a new roommate that is a very talented screenwriter and he just has crazy ideas. I thought he was gonna write some typical love story for the video and he came to me with this nostalgic future mess of a world that I think is gonna contrast with the blues on “Blue” perfectly.  It’s a pretty ambitious idea, I hope we can pull it off.

 

 

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

 

A) Well, I’m pretty certain that everyone at one time or another gets hit with that feeling of why something isn’t working and when you love that person or thing so much you start to reflect on yourself. You ask “What’s wrong with me?” or “Maybe it’s my fault?” until you realize that some things, even good things, aren’t meant to be. For me, personally, putting it to music was really just my way of coping and accepting that.

 

 

Q) Which track off your EP You Should Know means the most to you and why?

 

A) I would have to say the title track “You Should Know” for a couple of reasons. First of all, it was a collaboration with my good friend producer Fred Ball, who I’m convinced is the only other person that is as obsessed with Prince and Michael Jackson as myself. Secondly, it’s a song I look back on that was written so quickly – two days of work is what you hear on “You Should Know” and that experience has helped me not overthink the process. Lastly, I’m just really proud of the melodramatic/sex fueled funk we made on that song. I think it’s very genuine cosmic energy.

 

 

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

 

A) That depends, there’s been a couple of rare occasions where I’ve done the majority of production on a track with some help mixing my sounds, but like I said that’s very rare and never planned. In a normal collaboration, I think I help the production a proper amount though, surely more than the average artist. A big factor is that I typically play 90%, if not all the instrumentation on my songs and most producers don’t play guitar or bass or drums. So, I more or less guide them with how the amp should sound, what effects to use to sound funkier or what tones would cut through more. So, I’m very involved. I must mention though my close friends are real boss at their production and they bring some very completed beats sometimes. Really, I would just say the hustle is very fair across the board and never the same twice.

 

 

Q) Will there be videos for all the songs or just certain ones off the EP?

 

A) We won’t be making a video for every track, but we do have plans to shoot something minimalistic and dope for “Feel That” and, of course, our grand “Blue” video idea.

 

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from putting on your EP You Should Know?

 

A) I want them to feel empowered, really. It’s my first EP where every song isn’t about heartbreak. In fact, none of them are – they’re about being independent and owning yourself and not denying a feeling; simply just being too smart too let it destroy you.

 

 

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

 

A) You can expect the best show ever, if you ask me. The best energy and passion you’ll ever see. My circle of musical friends are all just beasts really and when we get up there together. We don’t hold anything back. We love instruments, we love performing and we love dirty funk. It is our message and we are the evangelists.

 

 

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

 

A) If I had to choose someone living, without a doubt I would wanna get in with Mark Ronson and Kevin Parker. I know that us three hear music the same way regardless of how much more I have to prove. I’m positive that one day the three of us will get in a room together and experience some genuine chemistry. They’re both players as well. I reckon that would bring out some magic.

 

 

Q) You are also an actor. Will we get to see you on screen any time again soon?

 

A) Well I’m sure some re-runs of different work I’ve done on TV will surface from time to time in the near future, but as of now I’m very focused on music. Acting will always be there. That’s not to say that I’m not acting now – I love it and will always perform. It’s just a matter of being cast in the right project and it hasn’t come up just yet. Well, nothing that’s taking my focus away from my songs.

 

 

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about your music?

 

A) Just that I’ll always be here to try my best to explain life to them through my songs and that I’ll work my ass off to be an artist you can really rely on for years to come.

 

 

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

 

A) THANK YOU!!!! Thank you for giving a shit. Thank you for buying a song. Thank you for coming to a show. Thank you for making that fan art. Thank you for telling your friends. Thank you for even just checking it out. Thank you to the fans that have been there for years and thank you to all the new ones. I love you all so much and you are nothing short of the holders of my dreams. Much love. Until next time.