SamCast

We’ve reached the end of series 1 and I want to say a huge thank you to everybody who’s been listening and supporting 'SamCast', as well as to all our incredible guests, who’ve made it such a joy to put together. Let's take a look back at some highlights from the series, I hope you found some cool things to think about, and found our guest as inspiring as I did. Thank you so much for your support. LOVE SAM xx

One of my favourite musicians right now. The extremely talented Atlanta based singer, rapper and songwriter who’s been going from strength to strength, recently working with Honey Dijon on the extremely talented Atlanta based singer, rapper and songwriter who’s been going from strength to strength, recently working with Honey Dijon on the track ‘Not About You’, and signing to the brilliant UK Dance Label, Defected Records.

Here we have part two of episode 11 with legendary musician, BBC Radio DJ, and long-time LGBT rights activist Tom Robinson. whose 45 year music career has seen him through some extraordinary experiences. In part 1, we heard Tom’s stories of life growing up, the journey into his activism, and his time with Tom Robinson Band at the height of their success. Here in part two, we explore Tom’s life post TRB, his work in radio, the story behind BBC Introducing, and Tom’s advice for new artists. 

This marks a very episode it's an honour to have Tom Robinson on SamCast. The legendary musician, BBC Radio DJ, and long-time LGBT rights activist, whose 45-year music career has seen him through some extraordinary experiences. Hear Tom share his stories of public and personal life, with struggles of fame and identity to chart smashing hits such as 2-4-6-8 motorway and war baby. Tom has been massively influential in his music and in his activism, in his fight for gay liberation, and also been a leader of the Rock Against Racism Campaign. Tom has been a huge supporter of my own music through his work as a DJ on BBC Radio 6Music and BBC Music Introducing, for which I’m very grateful to him - so it was amazing to be able to have a conversation about his life.

Head of contemporary music at London's iconic Southbank Centre Bengi Unsal, gives us an insight into how Europe's largest arts & culture institution has adapted to the issues that COVID-19 has brought. Bengi manages and programmes over 200 shows a year at the Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall & Purcell room, as well as managing it’s legendary Meltdown Festival, which is the longest running Artist Curated in the world, with artists such as David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Nile Rodgers, David Byrne and currently Grace Jones directing the festival. This year’s effects on the Southbank Centre having been huge, so it was fascinating to discuss how the great institution has been adapting with Bengi.

His band/ collective 'Miro Shot' are challenging literally everything that it means to be a band, and are easily one of the most innovative and unique bands around through their use of VR and technology. Roman Rappak brings us the mind-bending story behind Miro Shot, a completely eye-opening discussion on the music & gaming industry, and how technology is changing our lives and music.

We're talking socially distanced festivals with Wild Paths & Wild Fields Festival founder/ director, Ben Street. This is the first of a three-part mini-series in which we’re talking with people and artists that have found creative & positive solutions to the current problems faced by the live music industry. Ben's a great guy, with a brilliant attitude to life - having spent 7 years with the massively successful band 'Coasts', he's been on both sides of the industry, with some great insights for all those in the music industry.

I wanted to do an episode about my story as an artist to introduce myself a little more. So, here's a little bonus episode to do just that.

The wonderful London based musician & poet Amaroun shares three poems from her new project with us on SamCast as well as her amazing stories. We had a super inspiring conversation about Jay crowdfunding her first self-published poetry book, her writing philosophies, and how the difficulties and experiences she’s had as a queer, black woman have shaped her music & poetry. It was so much fun making this episode, so I really hope you enjoy it.

Incredibly talented songwriter & producer, who's project Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. and other musical outlets have seen him release 10 acclaimed albums, tour the world, and collaborated with artists like Damon Albarn, Flea, and Kate Nash. We talk Sam's new album, the importance of community, his experience in the music industry, as well as sharp observations on the effects of lockdown and Sam's songwriting philosophy and advice. There's honestly so much to learn from his thoughts and advice on songwriting, and life in general, so I hope you enjoy this very special episode of SamCast.