01Profile
A Sam Wills Photo
Sam Wills
Musician — Hastings
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Sam Wills - from Hastings.
Describe your style in three words?
Music: Dream-state soul.
Wardrobe: '90s and casual.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That’s tough! But probably Bon Iver at Brixton Academy. The band were insane (I think there were nine members) and played a mix of their musical instruments and percussion. Obviously, Bon Iver’s music has some pretty mad textures/production at points and the sound palette they created live was amazing. There were also 2 drummers, so it could go from being very quiet and sensitive to these huge loud moments.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
D'Angelo and Jeff Buckley, because they are two of my musical heroes and I’d love the chance to gain some wisdom from them. Although they would probably just make me look bad so maybe I should rethink haha.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Definitely the neo-soul scene - The Soulquarians definitely influenced my music. J Dilla completely changed the way I approach rhythm. The new Jazz scene coming out of London/UK is inspiring. It links to the soul scene here too, which is a very exciting place to be part of right now.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’ve had a good think about this, and I reckon Jesus. Pick his brains, see if he could really turn water into wine etc.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
I would say Jazz Cafe in Camden. It sounds great and always has wicked bands on. I’ve been lucky enough to play there, once with Jordan Rakei and the other supporting Jamie Cullum, they were both great shows!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Lewis Taylor. British soul artist. His music is amazing and has a mad soulful voice, but he never quite broke into the limelight for some reason, and then he quit music.
A rising artist on the UK future soul/R&B movement, Sam Wills has won over gatekeepers of the scene including DJ Target, Jamz Supanova, Trevor Nelson and Huw Stevens. His latest release 'Talk In The Morning' heralds an upcoming collection of more new music for 2020.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Daniel Beddingfield - 'Gotta Get Through This'
Straight banger.
A song that defines the teenage you?
John Legend - 'Let’s Get Lifted'
Get Lifted was a huge influence in my early teens, just getting into singing/writing music.
One record you would keep forever?
D'Angelo - 'The Line'
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"This is not the sound of a new man
Or crispy realization
It's the sound of the unlocking and the lift away
Your love will be
Safe with me"
Bon Iver - 're:stacks'
A song you wished you had written?
James Shelton - 'Lilac Wine' (Jeff Buckley version)
Best song to turn up loud?
Common - 'Dooinit'
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Alix Perez - 'Forsaken'
I got really into drum & bass around 17/18. I’m a bit out of the loop now but I still have a lot of love for it! This is one of my favourites.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Jodie Abacus - 'Good Feeling (MXXWLL Remix)'
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Frank Ocean - 'Chanel'
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Cleo Sol
Jake Milliner
Ria Moran
Kiefer
Devin Morrison
Eloise
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Sam Wills - from Hastings.
Describe your style in three words?
Music: Dream-state soul.
Wardrobe: '90s and casual.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That’s tough! But probably Bon Iver at Brixton Academy. The band were insane (I think there were nine members) and played a mix of their musical instruments and percussion. Obviously, Bon Iver’s music has some pretty mad textures/production at points and the sound palette they created live was amazing. There were also 2 drummers, so it could go from being very quiet and sensitive to these huge loud moments.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
D'Angelo and Jeff Buckley, because they are two of my musical heroes and I’d love the chance to gain some wisdom from them. Although they would probably just make me look bad so maybe I should rethink haha.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Definitely the neo-soul scene - The Soulquarians definitely influenced my music. J Dilla completely changed the way I approach rhythm. The new Jazz scene coming out of London/UK is inspiring. It links to the soul scene here too, which is a very exciting place to be part of right now.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’ve had a good think about this, and I reckon Jesus. Pick his brains, see if he could really turn water into wine etc.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
I would say Jazz Cafe in Camden. It sounds great and always has wicked bands on. I’ve been lucky enough to play there, once with Jordan Rakei and the other supporting Jamie Cullum, they were both great shows!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Lewis Taylor. British soul artist. His music is amazing and has a mad soulful voice, but he never quite broke into the limelight for some reason, and then he quit music.
A rising artist on the UK future soul/R&B movement, Sam Wills has won over gatekeepers of the scene including DJ Target, Jamz Supanova, Trevor Nelson and Huw Stevens. His latest release 'Talk In The Morning' heralds an upcoming collection of more new music for 2020.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Daniel Beddingfield - 'Gotta Get Through This'
Straight banger.
A song that defines the teenage you?
John Legend - 'Let’s Get Lifted'
Get Lifted was a huge influence in my early teens, just getting into singing/writing music.
One record you would keep forever?
D'Angelo - 'The Line'
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"This is not the sound of a new man
Or crispy realization
It's the sound of the unlocking and the lift away
Your love will be
Safe with me"
Bon Iver - 're:stacks'
A song you wished you had written?
James Shelton - 'Lilac Wine' (Jeff Buckley version)
Best song to turn up loud?
Common - 'Dooinit'
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Alix Perez - 'Forsaken'
I got really into drum & bass around 17/18. I’m a bit out of the loop now but I still have a lot of love for it! This is one of my favourites.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
Jodie Abacus - 'Good Feeling (MXXWLL Remix)'
Best song to end an all-nighter?
Frank Ocean - 'Chanel'
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Cleo Sol
Jake Milliner
Ria Moran
Kiefer
Devin Morrison
Eloise
Sam Wills - 'Talk In The Morning'
Sam Wills - 'Traingazing' ft. Honey Mooncie (Official Audio)