What is your name?
Jon Samuel
Label?
Hidden Pony
What made you start playing music?
Both my Dad and Mom love music. I’ve wanted to play ever since I could remember. Seeing the “About A Girl” Nirvana video definitely inspired me to learn guitar and then play with my friends.
What was the writing process like for ‘Dead Melodies’?
I like to sit with a note book or in front of a computer and work in melodies, structure and lyrics all together in my head. Then I would show songs to Loel and we would further work the song to its final form.
What was the recording process like?
Just saving a lot of the arrangements until a recording session with Loel. I’d sit with a guitar and show him the basic idea. Usually Loel would program drums and we would add an instrumental track or two to get a vibe going. It was free and open that way. Allowed for a lot of creativity in terms of how the song would take shape.
What is the message you want listeners to take from the single?
I really like how much energy comes through with Dead Melodies. It’s a vibrant song. So maybe resolve? Perseverance can lead to beautiful things?
Describe the single track in two words:
Vibrant Thing (Q Tip reference) xo
What was the writing and recording process like for the LP?
I’d work on songs at home as I said and then take a bunch of them to Loel. We’d work on a song he was excited about and build it from the ground up. Sometimes friends would come in and add to the creative vibe of a session. We didn’t force it. If we were both feeling it, we’d get a lot done and it was so much fun.
Did you work with anyone on the LP?
Mr. Loel Campbell produced the hell out of this album. Huge inspiration and just the best friend to work on music with I could ever imagine.
Do you have any shows or a tour planned?
Yes. We played a show in Halifax recently with our old friends Dog Day. Played all the new songs for the first time and it went over so well. Def have more show planned so stay tuned.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Bukowski said don’t force it when it comes to creative production. If you ain’t feeling it you ain’t kind of thing. I like that.
Where in your hometown is a must to visit?
The local! It’s a bar in the front part of a long standing venue here in Halifax called the marquee club. It’s all in the name. It’s the local.
Your coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first? To bed
2/ Who do you see first? My lady friend:)
3/What do you eat first? Jincheng an awesome schezuan place in Hali
What are your social media accounts?
Instagram is my fav
Facebook
Centurysamuel is my Spotify name for cool playlists (I DJ so I’m into making playlists)
I’m not down with twitter. Down with twitter. JKs
