What is your name?
My name is Sam McCoig, but, for my music, I go by Saint Samuel.
What is your genre of music?
Indie rock meets synth pop.
Give us a little bio about you.
Sam McCoig, known as Saint Samuel, is a self-produced singer-songwriter based out of Richmond, VA. Receiving his first guitar at the age of nine years old, Sam started forming bands in the sixth grade, but everything changed when he discovered Garageband on a school-issued laptop. He then earnestly dove into teaching himself to produce. Sam grew up listening to country music and pop punk, a combination that might not seem compatible. He took the defiance of his pop-punk days and combined it with the storytelling found in country music. That’s where the genres met to formulate the songwriting style and sound of Saint Samuel. Feeling out of place in the alt-country genre in which he was seated, Sam found himself questioning what his path as a musician would be. Then the pandemic hit, and, no longer able to collaborate with other producers, Sam was forced to be completely self-sufficient if he wanted to continue making music. That’s when the idea of Saint Samuel was conceived. He realized Saint Samuel was always there, he just hadn’t found him yet. “Saint Samuel is an alter-ego,” says McCoig. “He’s not separate from me, but he’s not who I am when I’m living my daily life. He’s what I look like without inhibitions or consequences or insecurities holding me back.”
What made you go into music?
I went to my first concert at a club in my hometown when I was 13 to see a local band. I was memorized watching the band perform. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I knew right then that was exactly what I wanted to do. Six months later, that same club let me open a show with an acoustic set of mostly covers. I just couldn’t stop after that.
Who are your influences?
The 1975, The Band CAMINO, Troye Sivan for some of the more pop songs, All Time Low (from my pop punk days because that will never be taken out of me), YUNGBLUD, MGK, Valley, MOD SUN, COIN
Are you a signed?
Yes! I’m signed to Dog Brothers Records, a branch of Geordie Gillespie’s company, Unleashed Music.
You released your new single ‘Like You Like That’, tell us more about the single and the meaning behind the song.
“Like You Like That” is the product of a conversation between me and my best friend and co-writer, Emily Bruzzo. I was stuck in a “situationship” with this guy who had stronger feelings for me than I had for him. I found myself complaining to Emily about the absence of “love at first sight” in this new romance. “You just don’t like him like that, ” Emily explained. This conversation was the genesis of my new single, which is a story far too relatable to the modern 20-something.
Describe the track in two words.
Energetic and relatable
What was the writing and recording process like?
I had this roughly produced pop-rock instrumental sitting around that I wasn’t quite sure what to do with yet. I showed it to my co-writer, Emily, and then a topline came to life. When we work, getting the ideas onto paper, in the beginning, is a very natural process. It is almost always a result of Emily and I having a candid conversation (usually on my porch, where we form our best ideas), followed by her saying, “Oh, that’s a song.”
Who did you work with on the single?
My co-writer, Emily Bruzzo.
Describe each song in two words.
Energetic and relatable
We also see a music video for ‘Like You Like That’ tell us more about from the creative process and inspiration behind it.
Emily and I were exhausted from an eight-hour day at our corporate day jobs, followed by a four-hour songwriting session when we stumbled upon the music video concept. We both had used ChatGPT at some point that day to try and come up with ideas for the video. We found ourselves envisioning how AI would respond to questions about how to tell a romantic partner you don’t share the same feelings. This evolved into imagining what would happen if ChatGPT could go on a date itself. I am sometimes known in my personal circle for my often “robotic” responses to emotional situations, so the idea of me having to navigate a date with ChatGPT opened an entire world of possibilities.
Will we see an EP or Album and if so what can we expect from the creative process.
I just released an EP back in March (2023), called “Nervous, Anxious, and Sad.” The songs were written with Emily as well, and it was a great experience for both of us. An album is definitely a goal of mine for the near future.
Do you have any live shows coming up?
Yes! I’m headlining at a local Richmond, VA club called The Camel on Saturday, September 9th. In celebration of releasing “Like You Like That,” there will be a theme called “Swear To Glow” (the name was inspired by one of my songs, “Swear To God”). We’ll be handing out glow sticks that everyone can wear to indicate their relationship status so we can find out who likes whom “like that.” Red glow sticks will mean “taken,” green will mean “single,” yellow will mean “it’s complicated,” and white will mean “I’m doing me right now.” It’s going to be a lot of fun.
Let us know where we can get tickets if so.
Tickets Here https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/91000660/saint-samuelmavi-taylorno-moniker-richmond-the-camel
What else can we expect in late 2023?
I have plans to release several more singles. I’m looking forward to playing live shows in markets I’ve never played before. Also, a big goal of mine is to jump on the leg of a tour.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
In five years I want to have released at least one album, I want to be writing the best songs I can, and I want to be playing shows all over the world. I would also like to own at least two or three dogs.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Don’t look back in anger.” I’ve been asked if I could go back in time and change anything, what would I change? My answer is always nothing. I don’t look back on the past and wish I could change things. The good, bad, and ugly have all shaped me into the person I am today and I am very proud of that.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
- When people show up and sing the lyrics along with me .
- The venue staff. They are almost always the hardest working people and make or break a show.
- The feeling of hitting the last note of the last song. It is such a great feeling and also kind of sad at the same time because I don’t want the show to end.
- One thing I’ll definitely never forget about one specific gig is the time our computer went down in the middle of the set, and my co-writer Emily literally did like three minutes of standup comedy while I fixed the problem.
- The two minutes I’m standing behind the stage alone is something I never forget. My band is already up there starting the set, and I walk on right before I start singing. I’m not very nervous, but I’m so excited to get started. It always feels like I’m standing back there for 10 minutes instead of just two.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Instagram
Facebook
Spotify
Youtube
