Sam Sparro

In anticipation of this year’s Homebake Festival we caught up with Sam Sparro to have a chat about where his glittering career has taken him since the triumph of ‘Black and Gold’ to ‘Happiness’ bagging another number one hit. He’s a native Aussie, but has ended up in LA, and quite clearly is a very talented songwriter. We also take the time to get to know a little more about Sam’s favourite artists, his preference for white socks, and his failsafe weekly beauty regime.

So Sam, what have you been up to this week?
I just shot an ad campaign for LA Eyeworks glasses with legendary photographer Greg Gorman and an editorial for GQ and I’ve been setting up my new studio at home and doing some song writing.

It’s been a busy year for you, what’s been you 2012 highlight so far?
I would have to say performing at Lovebox in London with Chic, Chaka Kahn and Grace Jones. It was such a great day.

It’s been quite a musical journey for you so far, and your life has seen you travel from Sydney, to LA and London, where do you find was the most key location to your success as an artist?
I think LA has been the most productive place for me as an artist and tends to be where I do my best work.

Coming from such a musical family, and having been recording since you were a child, is there any one person you can pick out as being particularly influential or and instigator of your talents and career?
My grandmother, Gill, has always been such a huge supporter and helped develop my confidence as a young performer.
How did it feel when your hit single ‘Black & Gold’ got picked up by the likes of Annie Mac and Pete Tong?
Obviously I was pleased.

After a hit like that, did you feel considerable pressure to back it up to avoid being a “one hit wonder”?
Not really. I just had my first number one single this year with ‘Happiness’ so I feel like I’ve already moved beyond that curse.

You’ll be playing at this year’s Homebake festival. What’s it like playing on home turf, do you prefer it?
It’s fun performing all over the place – sometimes the best shows are in the most unexpected places. Like Lithuania – the crowd was amazing! I just love being on stage – wherever it may be.

How would you compare Australian festivals to UK ones?
The main difference I think is the weather. UK festivals are usually quite rainy and Australian ones are so hot.

If you get a bit of time to watch anyone else at Homebake, who are you looking forward to seeing?
Definitely Blondie. I’m a huge fan. I also hope to get to see my friends Kimbra and Daniel Merriweather perform.

Where would you say, in your experience, has the best crowds in the world to play to?
Australian crowds are pretty wild. I love playing to a New York Audience – they seem to really get me. I’ve had some of my best gigs in the UK but this year playing in Belgium and Holland have been amazing shows.

You write your own material, but how do you feel about artists who only ever take the songs they have been given?
A lot of my most favourite singers in the world aren’t really songwriters but it’s what they do with the material that is so amazing. Artists like Aretha Franklin and Chaka Kahn take what someone has written it and bring it to life.

Playing the number of instruments you do, would you see yourself as a more “credible” artist than say, someone like Cheryl Cole, or Britney Spears who are at the mercy of their record label?
That’s really none of my business.

Do you get left alone to do your thing, or do you have to conform and appease the big wigs in some way or another?
I’m the captain of my own ship.

So tell us about the new album, ‘Return to Paradise’. I’ve read that you explored some nostalgic themes and wanted to regain some innocence you felt you had lost…explain it to us.
The record is very nostalgic and a lot of it is about wrestling with one’s own demons in young adulthood. The sound of the album was inspired by the music of the Paradise Garage nightclub in New York City and by the soul and disco greats of the late 70s and 80s. I wanted to work with live instruments and really great players. I’m really proud of it.

Your music has been described as Marvin Gaye hanging out with LCD Soundsystem, would you agree?
I don’t know. I can’t be objective about my own music.

How would you sum up your music in one descriptive sentence?
My music is the transcript of my soul and my life’s experience.

What music were you into growing up?
I was into everything from Portishead and Bjork to Whitney Houston, Spice Girls, Belle & Sebastion, Roni Size, Aphex Twin… I mean just a huge variety of stuff.

The first album or single you ever bought?
I think the first album I ever bought with my own money was TLC “Ooooh on the TLC Tip”.

You’ve come from quite a religious background with your father being a gospel minister and you yourself sang in a gospel choir, would you say you were religious? And would you say this has shaped your music in any way?
I’m not religious but I’m spiritual. Singing in church has definitely shaped my music – my vocal arrangements are very much inspired by Gospel music.

What is the craziest thing a fan has ever done to try and get your attention?
A girl threw a bra with her phone number on it on stage. Me and the band called her after the gig to say hello.

What’s the funniest (or most bizarre) thing that has ever happened to you or in your presence, whilst on tour?
Too many funny things to remember, but I did almost get dropped while crowd surfing and I thought that was pretty hilarious. I’m very clumsy so I’m always hurting myself on stage.

If you hadn’t been born with musical talent and drive to get you where you are today, who do you think Sam Sparro would be?
No one will ever know.

Let’s get to know Sam Sparro a little better…
Favourite colour: Brown
Favourite food: Vietnamese
Worst fear: Bad sex
Best book: The Prophet by Khalil Gibran
Favourite Disney Film: (everyone has one!) The Little Mermaid
What colour socks do you wear: recently I’m into white socks.
Beauty regime: White Clay Mask once a week, exfoliate daily and moisturise often.
Favourite songs (you may choose three): Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Kahn, Outstanding by the Gap Band and Got To Be Starting Something by Michael Jackson
Nick name: Spazz, Sammy

Thanks so much Sam, and we look forward to seeing you at Homebake!
Thank you! x

By Hannah Shakir
@HanShak

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