We were lucky enough to catch up with Newcastle-based artist Sam Dickinson following the release of his superb album ‘Off Script’ enjoy our full interview below!
How did you first get into music?
I first got into music when I would get into my mum’s car on the way to school, and she’d put the cassette in, and we’d listen to the explosion of soul-pop which was around in the mid-1990s. I loved it.
What is the first song that captured your attention as a youngster?
I grew up listening to a lot of M People and Gabrielle but songs like ‘Moving on Up’, ‘Fantasy Island’ and ‘Just For You’ really stuck with me. Inspirational, uplifting songs which really made you feel good. I learnt from a young age the power of lyrics and music.
Who influenced your latest album ‘Off Script’?
I think with ‘Off Script’ I wanted to take a different road to my last album. My first album was very much a concept album in terms of the Winehouse style sound with brass and the big 60’s soul, Motown sound.
Looking back, all I really wrote about was breakups and the downside to relationships. This time around, I spent a lot of time going back to the music of my childhood and really focusing on the artist I wanted to be.
I always try and look at the positives in life, and I wanted that to reflect in my music. So it wasn’t a specific artist who influenced the tone of the album. Musically, I knew I wanted that late 80’s, early 90’s sound.
‘Off Script’ is your first album in seven years, why was now the right time to release a new album?
I knew it was the right time because it was on the back of releasing ‘All We Are’, which was a great success for me with airplay on BBC Radio 2 and hundreds of thousands of streams.
I was also due to open for some high profile people this year before COVID struck, so it seemed the right time. I just decided still release the album despite everything; I’m glad I did.
What motivates you to make music?
The love of music. Any singer, songwriter, musician, music lover will tell you… it’s in your blood, and you can’t get it out of you!
Your music has been streamed close to 1,000,000 times; how does that feel?
Amazing! I still can’t quite believe it if I’m completely honest. It’s just me and my computer, so when things like this happen, I struggle to believe it.
I also get wrong off my boyfriend as he says I’m always looking forward and never take stock and reflect on what I’ve achieved. So he knows once I’ve hit 1 million, I’ll be like “right, I need 2 million!” haha!
If you could open for any artist/band who would it be?
Oh, SO MANY PEOPLE!!! Anastacia, Kylie, Tina. The list could go on forever!
What are your other passions aside from music?
I’m a nightmare, I really don’t find much time to relax, but when I do, I like to chill with a glass of wine, my dogs (I have two gorgeous Rottweilers) and watch a crime documentary or series.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I wish more people would give unsigned music a chance or be able to discover it more easily. There is some amazing music which so many people haven’t heard.
You’re originally from Newcastle, what’s the music scene like there?
It’s very indie, but there are a few of us who are doing the soul-pop thing! It also has the coolest soul club outside of London! It’s a place called Hoochie Coochie. Chaka, Jocelyn Brown, Gregory Porter have all played here, and it only holds 250 people. It is cool as f*ck!
What new music are you listening to at the moment?
Everyone should check out my pals HATi, Markx and Beth Macari. They’re all amazing.
What musical plans do you have for the next two years?
Well, I’m writing album three, which is sounding amazing so far, if I do say so myself and I’m planning on touring when we physically can!
FV Music Blog October 2020
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