Inspired #0059 - Sam Wills
Sam Wills returns with new single ‘Dimensions’, the track is filled with those soul r&b modern jams that he helped create the foundations for. Ahead of his headline show at Colours in London this Friday, he talks to us about his inspirations behind the track and himself.
Who are you top three musical inspirations?
D’Angelo - The groove and the feel have inspired me so much, I don’t think anyone can compare. Voodoo was an iconic album for me, and there was a shift in my music from before and after I heard it for the first time.
Bon Iver - The poetry and the textures. The reflectiveness. I love how experimental the music can get whilst still feeling homely and familiar.
Michael Jackson - From a totally musical point of view, ‘Off The Wall’ especially influenced my music over the years. The production is amazing and every song is mad catchy.
Is there a certain film that inspires you?
Its not really a film but I recently watched the TV series Chernobyl on Netflix which was amazing. Such a dark but still inspiring story, beautifully shot and acted, with an incredible soundtrack from Hildur Gudnadóttir
What city do you find the most inspiring?
London. I’m endlessly inspired by the wealth of cultures and the music that reflects this.
It isn’t a city but my hometown Hastings is one of my favourite places in the world. Such a vibrant place with a great music/art scene. There’s always a party/weird event going on somewhere!
Who is the most inspiring person to you?
Right now I would say Greta Thunberg. You can’t help but be inspired and energised by her passion to fight climate change, and the movement that’s followed in her footsteps. It gives hope that the younger generations might actually make meaningful change!
What were your inspirations when writing the track?
The starting point for Dimension was the dreamy synth patch Phairo and I found whilst in my little home studio, which became the foundation for the chords. It conjures images of flying through space, and I took that inspiration forward when writing the melodies/lyrics and producing the rest of the track.
How would you like to inspire people?
I’d like for people to get lost in my music, find comfort in it, dance to it, and through it hopefully inspire more creativity. I think expression and creating is one of the most rewarding/satisfying/theraputic things we can do.
The track release comes ahead of a London headline show at Colours Hoxton on 4th October, limited remaning tickets are on sale now. October will also see Sam head on a North American tour supporting Jordan Rakei, the fulll list of dates can be found below.
OCTOBER
4th - Colours Hoxton - London
22nd - Star Theatre - Portland OR (with Jordan Rakei)
24th - Neumos - Seattle, WA (with Jordan Rakei)
25th - Biltmore = Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (with Jordan Rakei)
27th - Harlows, Sacramento, CA (with Jordan Rakei)
28th - August Hall - San Francisco, CA (with Jordan Rakei)
29th - The Regent Theatre - Los Angeles, CA (with Jordan Rakei)
NOVEMBER
3rd - Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL (with Jordan Rakei)
4th - El Club - Detroit, MI (with Jordan Rakei)
6th - The Opera House - Toronto, Ontario, Canada (with Jordan Rakei)
8th - Belmont - Montreal, Quebec, Canada (with Jordan Rakei)
9th - Sixth & I Historic Synagogue - Washington, DC (with Jordan Rakei)
10th - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY (with Jordan Rakei)
12th - The Foundry at The Fillmore - Philadelphia (with Jordan Rakei)
13th - Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA (with Jordan Rakei)
14th - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY (with Jordan Rakei)