Released back last Friday, Bristol born EINSAM’s latest single is starting to make headway across the underground-electronic scene. We chatted to Sam about all things music
Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where are you from and where did music start for you?
I was born in Bristol, had my first drum kit and drum lesson as a 5 year old here.Since then I’ve lived in a few places, but most recently came back from living in Vienna for three years where the idea for this solo project Einsam came about. Since the word Einsam means solitary (literally ‘Onesome’) it made sense for a solo project by someone called Sam.
If you had to use three words to sum yourself up, what would you say?
Ah…Scatty, thoughtful, mischief
You recently released your latest single Stuck Pig. What is this song about, for you?
It’s basically about inner and outer divisions. I started developing an older idea in 2016 and kept it germinating as I felt things changing in and around me. I wanted it to go beyond being a statement about one single division, but to give examples everywhere and then show the relatedness between all of them. I also wanted to look at the effects your environment has on your body and mind, and the effect you can have on your environment.
Is this a hint at more new stuff to come?
All being well, there will be plenty more new songs to come this year! Another single in March, and then an EP in the summer for starters. Then we’ll see how we go. The songs are all quite varied though, which I’m proud of. I made a decision to follow the text of each song and fit the atmospheres around them.
Who produced this? Have you worked with them before? How was it, working with them?
This was produced with Adam ‘Cecil’ Bartlett (PJ Harvey, Ed O’Brien, Jehnny Beth) who’s my main man! He’s got a great ear for what needs to happen and we share a wide music taste – he’s adept at venturing into so many different sound worlds. It’s definitely been harder trying to communicate ideas about arrangements over video chat in lockdown, but I guess that’s all part of this new process.
How does this new music compare to your previous release, Pressing Matters?
Stuck Pig is a bit more troubled but it’s another necessary subject I wanted to find the right way of expressing. Pressing Matters is about the importance of touch and pressure and is looking at the experience of isolation. Now it really does feel like there are loads more people going through a similar thing. Overall the recurring theme is looking at our connections to and disconnections from people, place, language and self.
Also being Bristol based, what are some of your favorite places in the Bristol scene?
With typical expert timing I moved back here maybe two months before we went into lockdown, so I saw pretty much none of the live music scene last year. I managed to get to one at Loco and in the past I’ve seen great stuff at Crofters Rights, Thekla, Start the Bus (RIP), The Louisiana… Aside from music I’m a big fan of the Pipe and Slippers, and the jerk place next to it Rice and Things. Think Bosco might be the best pizza in town too – all my knowledge of places out these days extends to takeaways.
How have you been keeping busy during lockdown?
Luckily I’ve got my recording set up here and a set of drums in my basement studio, so I’m still writing and practicing. Trying to get natural light whenever else I can though, walking or running. Good to get light in the eyes and air between the ears once you’ve been in the dark indoors for a few days straight.
Where can we find out more about you?
All the socials! @einsammusic – barge into my DMs
Anything you would like to tell us?
I can tell you Spike Lee’s film of David Byrne’s show American Utopia is worth watching, Calvino is worth reading, and Gerald Stratford and his vegetables are worth protecting at all costs.
And yes, Bosco does some amazing pizza. I would like to thank Sam for taking the time to answer my questions and wish him the best of luck with Stuck Pig and all future releases.
TrueStyleMusic 