Sam Addeo
It didn’t take long for New York’s Sam Addeo to make an impression on the music industry scene. The guitarist-turned singer/songwriter made her impressive debut in 2020 with “Loving Someone,” a track that now has over 86 thousand Spotify streams. The unconventional is textbook for Addeo; she seamlessly creates a world of her own with a unique blend of indie-pop and R&B influences accredited to artists like Majid Jordan and 070 Shake. Her latest release, “Something 4 U,” details an unexplored connection with another person and the rationalization of “what could be.” We recently spoke to her about making the song, her favorite pastimes, and more! Scroll down to read our full chat with the artist!
How did you get started making music?
I first came to making music as a guitarist, then a songwriter. Actually, I recently stumbled upon a ton of old songs that I wrote back when I was about 10 or so. They are really funny to look back on now but also sweet reminders of how music has always been something I’ve always gravitated to and enjoyed. That said, it wasn’t until college, when I discovered Julie London and Billie Holiday, that I really found my own voice. I wrote “Something 4 U,” my latest release, during that time; it was one of the first songs that I wrote that made me think, "Maybe I should start putting out music." It feels so good to finally be doing so a few years later.
Your debut single popped off, congrats! What was it like getting that much traction off your first release?
Ha! So weird! So strange! But it was a blast. I really had no idea what to expect in putting out “Loving Someone.” After hearing the song play out in my head for so many years, more than anything, I was just excited to finally bring it to life for myself. When the song got picked up by Spotify, I couldn’t believe it! While it was amazing to have great traction on my first release, my favorite thing about it all was just connecting with people. My friends really are the ones who helped the song take off, and I made so many new ones along the way. They’ve made this experience so fun and special.
And honestly let’s get right into this new single! Just wow. Tell us everything, what was the inspiration for the track?
Yeah! I actually wrote this song about 4 years ago, around the same time of “Loving Someone.” It’s about having an unexplored connection with someone that you can’t quite make sense of or get out of your head. Although you know there are differences, you create excuses for them and try to rationalize your feelings out of longing for them and wondering what could be.
“Something 4 U” definitely combines a bunch of different musical styles and genres. Who are some of the artists that inspired this sound?
I originally wrote “Something 4 U” as a LANY/The 1975-inspired type-beat. But like most things that stick around, the song has grown with me and my musical influences over the years. When I finally got around to making the track, it had already gone through many variations, inspired by artists like NAO, Majid Jordan, and 070 Shake, among others. That said, it was Biyo that really helped me bring this track to life in production. Everything those guys touch is gold and we really have creative synergy when we come together. In everything you do collaboratively, I really think it’s important to work with people who not only catch your vision but that can unlock things that you can’t quite do on your own.
This was your first release since last year — what have you been up to during this time?
I’ve been carving out time to focus on writing. I’ve actually written a number of songs this year, all really different but I am so pumped to start producing them in the months to come and see where they might take me. I’ll maybe bundle them up in an EP or something, but I haven't fully fleshed out just yet how I want to package them up and share them.
And it’s also your first solo single! Did this release feel different this time around?
Definitely feels different! For starters, I have a way bigger team - both on the music front and creative. It was actually my friends who came to me with a music video idea in the first place and I would have never dared to do any of the visually creative stuff if it weren’t for them. In this way, they are a part of this release as much as I am. I’ve definitely found that there is something so undeniably special about inviting people into your process entirely, creating a space for them to run with their own ideas, and just seeing what happens when you all come together.
You’re a fellow New Yorker! Has the local music scene impacted your musical style at all?
Oh, 100 percent. I draw a lot of inspiration from The 1975, Japanese House, and Omar Apollo — but also from the rhythms of New York: the city that I love and call home. Most of my music has some form of cyclic “texture” in it, and I think I can attribute a lot of that to the sonic sounds of the urban environment that surrounds and shapes me.
What is a textbook quality of a Sam Addeo track?
There’s almost always some form of a clean or lush muted melodic guitar line, picked in the verse or chorus, that is layered with some light verb.
How do you know when a song is complete?
For me, songwriting begins with writing a guitar line I’m excited about. I then tend to ad-lib in an attempt to find a melody that I’m equally as excited about. Because of this process, lyrics tend to come last. If I can’t find the right words right away, I use placeholder lyrics until I come to write something that I feel good about. Once I “feel good” about the lyrics, I know a song is complete!
What are some things you enjoy doing outside of the studio?
I am a New York native but there’s still so much to experience here in the city. When I am not working on music stuff, I try to get out early for some coffee to explore by foot or bike. I am sometimes out for a quick half-hour, and other times I’m out all day, finding new things in old things - and that’s what I tend to marvel at.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to yourself from one year ago?
Just go for it! It doesn’t have to be perfect - it just needs to be you, and for you.
What can fans expect from you for the rest of 2021?
Definitely more music! I am hoping to release another song in the fall. Unlike the two tracks I have out now, this next one will be a tender ballad. It was also written pretty recently, so I’m excited to share stuff that is a bit more reflective of where I’m at and what I’m feeling currently.
When Sam Addeo makes it to LA., try to understand LA. As a native New Yorker who has never been, I still can’t quite wrap my head around the cars and scale of it.