Meet Sam Small | Songwriter, Musician, and Poet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Small and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I never gave myself the option of giving up. The concept always felt akin to dying so I’ve avoided it at all costs. I’ve worked odd jobs and done all kinds of things but I never stopped thinking of myself as a musician first and foremost.

Ultimately, it’s paid off. I think there’s a lot of luck that comes into that but as far as what I can control goes, I have given my craft an obsessive level of dedication that has come at the cost of personal relationships and basic life opportunities, but I wouldn’t give it up for anything nor could I imagine any alternate version my life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a songwriter, lyrics are everything to me. I strive to take the listener on a journey through every song. To quote James Joyce, “In the particular is contained the universal.” I write what I know. I know my own experiences and I know the feelings that have come with them. I’m never trying to hide greater meanings in my lyrics but I also invite anyone and everyone to find whatever meaning they can in them. Music is for everyone and if I can make one person feel less alone then I’ve done my job.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t do well with planning things but here’s a handful of things to do over a week completely out of order:

Hiking/running in Griffith Park
Brunch at Figaro Bistrot
Spend a night at Corazon Performing Arts in Topanga Canyon
Coffee from Cafecito Organico
Drinks at Hermosillo
Sideshow Books
Play tennis in Pasadena
Late-night food from El Flamin Taco truck
Bike along the LA river
See some random show at Zebulon
The upstairs bar at the Red Lion

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I’m very lucky to have a supportive family. My dad was my biggest fan. He died a few years ago but I still carry his love and support every day. That being said, I wouldn’t be where I am now without my friends. I have to first and foremost thank my bandmates Wayne Whittaker, Nigel Wilson, John Would, and Burleigh Drummond with an immediate follow up of my bandmates in Man Man (a band I play guitar and an assortment of other instruments for) Harry Foster, Kevin Riggin, Taylor Plenn, Dylan Ryan, and Ryan Kattner. An extra few special thanks are Nate Bridges (my first producer), John Farquharson (my musical barometer), Julian Weisser (my fellow subterranean), Misty Lawrence (my toughest critic), and Stacie Burrows (my biggest fan). I’m positive I’ve left people out and I apologize, but you know who you are.

Website: https://samsmall.bandcamp.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samsmallsamsmall/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/samsmallx2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samsmallsamsmall

Image Credits
Photos by Jason Lowrie, Edan Klier, Stacie Burrows, and Misty Lawrence