Photo: Katya Rezvaya
Having already cemented himself as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now with a string of impactful efforts under his belt, Irish-Portuguese singer-songwriter Sam Segurado is back once again with his vibrant new single 'Phoenix'.
Capturing a wonderfully warm and alluring folk-pop aesthetic for his newest outing, 'Phoenix' is a wondrous return to form for the artist at the helm. With his sweet and tender voice layered across a shimmering acoustic-led production throughout, he is certainly looking to pull on our heartstrings with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and influences over the years.
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What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
Evan and Jaron, these twin brothers from America. A song of theirs was on Dawson's Creek which I was absolutely crazy for, but they were also the first band where I dove into their back catalogue as best I could in those early days of Amazon and eBay. Hearing their music as a teenager was the first time I felt "I want to do this" or "I could write a song like this".
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
My friend and brother and I jammed music together sometimes and wrote some unheard classics like "6 Am in the Morning" and "Egyptian Socrates" (and they shall forever remain unheard!), we were pretty much just ripping off Neutral Milk Hotel and Pixies. At the end of high school, my first summer job was working in a cover band, too. We were good, and I love those guys so much, but ultimately if I was going to play the same songs every night I wanted them to be my own ones.
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
Anything and everything. An unfamiliar word. A heartbreak, but usually only years after the fact. I don't actively seek these things out and I don't feel I coherently sit down and write so much as the songs just come to me at certain moments, catching me unawares.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
The Temptation of Adam by Josh Ritter. It's such a perfect example of the kind of poetic storytelling in a song that I don't know if I myself have in me, but I admire so damn much.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
Honestly, my first album launch was such a sweet and intimate gig, I would love to go back in time and play that again. I'm hoping to recreate that magic in The Cellar, Workman's next February in Dublin when I launch album II.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
If we're talking actually being on stage and jamming with, I think I have to go with Bon Iver. I know their songs like the back of my hand, I'd love to just pull a Sean Carey and join the band that way. Or just sing backing vocals on The Wolves (Act I and II).
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
Rachael Lavelle has such an incredible and unique voice, I think it would be amazing to write something with her and bounce off such raw vocal power. Her debut album has just come out and it's brilliant. There's an up-and-coming rapper on the Dublin open mic scene called Azerty that I'd also love to write with, her lyrics are so feisty and clever.
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
With nine albums total planned perhaps, I'll be speaking to you about the release of the third album! Or maybe that'll already be out and I'll be writing and recording the fourth. I didn't think The Remainder would take over five years to record, but that's now a beautiful part of the story of the record too, so no regrets there. I'll definitely be playing a lot more gigs. I missed live music so much and am craving that connection with an audience more than ever before. February 25th can't come soon enough.
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Sam Segurado's new single 'Phoenix' is available to stream now. Check it out below.
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