Samsaruh Interview - Crash Boom Pow
We caught up with Samsaruh, Australia’s answer to Bishop Briggs. 2019 has seen Samsaruh shift up a gear and start setting up her presence internationally spending half of the first six months of the year overseas writing/producing her new records as well inking a worldwide deal US publishing company, Primary Wave. Taking time out from her tour with Birds Of Tokyo, Samsaruh gave us insight to her creative journey, debut EP Elysian, and much more.
Futuremag Music: Hey Samsaruh, how's life treating you?
Samsaruh: Awesome thanks. Been touring Australia with Birds of Tokyo which has been a little bit hectic but super fun, a massive adrenaline rush.
Futuremag Music: Could you talk us through your creative journey? What have been some highlights?
Samsaruh: It’s been quite a journey as I’ve been doing music ever since I can remember. I used to busk in my early teens, and for quite a while there it was just me and my guitar versus the world. I didn’t know any other way of writing music if it wasn’t with my guitar. When I hit 18 I was introduced to ‘music sessions’ where you go in a room and collaborate with someone else, making music together. It really opened me up to something new and ever since I’ve done hundreds of sessions around Australia and America with all sorts of incredibly talented people, so looking back at the journey makes me feel really blessed to be where I am right now doing what I’m doing. Spending a significant amount of the first half of this year in LA writing was definitely a highlight. It’s a complete different world over there which to say the least, intrigues me.
Samsaruh by Michelle Grace Hunder
Samsaruh by Michelle Grace Hunder
Futuremag Music: Can you please outline the sonic structure of your debut EP, Elysian? What went into the record's direction and pacing?
Samsaruh: This EP has a lot of variation in styles and feelings, each song is quite different to the next so the way this EP was planned out musically, was definitely not normal. I didn’t want to be normal, I wanted to put out a collection of songs that I felt best represented me and the wave I’m currently riding. Each song represents a different feeling and theme. With ‘Crash Boom Pow’ it represents shameless self-empowerment, with ‘I guess that makes two’ it represents utter vulnerability and heart. Besides the fact that each song is written for a different moment in one’s life, the most important, personal part that drew me to choosing these exact 5 songs, is because they were unintentional letters to my future self. I find this happens quite a lot when I’m writing too, I’ll write something in the moment, a few words in a specific sentence on a blank page, they somehow fall out of me and I won’t know exactly what they represent. However, a few months later, they become extremely relatable to my position almost like I wrote a letter to my future self. This is why these songs are particularly special to me. They hold great sentimental value and that was the basis of my decision making. I hope that these songs which helped keep me afloat and remind me of who I am, will also do so for many others.
Futuremag Music: Opening single 'Crash Boom Pow' is a power ballad of indie pop rock goodness. Could you please talk us through the production and writing process of the track? Where did the concept of "a tongue-in cheek ode to the foregone ideas of rock and roll" come from?
Samsaruh: It’s a message that has been told to death for decades now but still holds great relevance. There are inroads being made with females in this industry, musicians in other genres who are very successful but within the rock world, there’s still a long way to go to be seen as equal to my male counterparts. It isn't seen as nice or pretty to be a girl in a rock n roll world. The music industry would much rather sell a female, singing light pop songs about heartbreak than sell a female who’s not afraid to get gritty, doesn’t sing about the boy next door and whips her hair around. Joan Jett and Blondie, were the start of a change and I think it’s time we continue the process and wipe this battle. ‘Crash Boom Pow’ was written as the march song for such movement. I hope listeners, male and female, can spark empowerment from this track.
Futuremag Music: You're currently on tour with Birds Of Tokyo. What do you bring to the table for those who haven't had the pleasure of seeing you live?
Samsaruh: An experience. I hope that you can walk away from my shows rich in empowering vibes and an experience that you can hold onto. I want people to feel alive and so I try to create that environment every time I play. I have an amazing band behind me, so you can expect top musicianship and guaranteed a head shakin’, floor breakin’ time.
Futuremag Music: What does the future hold for Samsaruh?
Samsaruh: Good question, I mean who really knows what the future holds for them? All I know is that whatever comes next, it’s going to be a heck of a ride and I plan on bringing you all with me.
Samsaruh by Michelle Grace Hunder