East Coast State of Mind: An Interview with Sam Friend

December 22, 2008 3:23 PM
by Marcos Colón (Headline Image by Chipi)

To be crucially honest, there’s only a limited amount notable local music acts in Miami. With mainstream hip hop and house music ruling a majority of the land, the newbies and acts that haven’t gotten the proper attention are the ones that suffer the most. But lately there seems to be some hope coming out of venues like Churchill’s. Singer-songwriters that pour their creative energy and emotion out onto their lyric sheets and produce melodies that make listeners melt into their own seats, or jump up as they breathe in the organic sounds of the Miami performers. Sam Friend is one of these local acts.

A UM grad with a winning debut release, Secure and Fastened for Daisy Buchanan, that’s the perfect example of his endless potential, Friend decided to take his sound out west to test the waters in Seattle. Now the crooner is back in his hometown and ready to perform this Friday night.

CoolJunkie recently had the pleasure of catching up with the hometown singer-songwriter on his travels out West, how he feels about the music scene in the city and about his show this Friday at The Vagabond.

CoolJunkie: So you're back in Miami after a long journey. How's it feel?

Sam Friend: Strangely natural. These days people aren't checking more than one bag, and I'm not sure how that's supposed to fit. Sometimes a place doesn't seem real until it doesn't exist anymore.

CJ: I know that you based yourself out of the West Coast recently? Can you go into that a little bit?

Sam Friend: Of course. My days were numbered for a while back home. I knew how to get around, and I'm not too keen with directions. So I took that as a sign. Maps look like something out of an anatomy textbook. And so I guess my reason was a continuing education. So I booked it to Seattle. And read the plot of America on the way. When I got to where I was going, well, you know how that goes. I wanted to write.

CJ: What are the biggest differences between the music scene there and the one we have here in Miami?

Sam Friend: From where I'm sitting, it's the music. There's stereotypes and there's stereos. And stereos don't lie. The idea was the infrastructure. Somewhere in the out there they had bridges that could connect cars to helicopters. That they had built something that held weight. Some towns have track records that haven't frozen over yet put up to letterheads. And so I've broken ice and had some drinks with cats. I've become a keen listener. And since you asked, the west will tell you never play games and donate what you've won. Now, Miami can certainly shout. It's got swagger, and it's got an edge that makes sense into fountains. And the music happenings happening certainly has a palette of gold stars. And personally, I wouldn't put one past it.

CJ: How do you feel about the music scene here in Miami, being that the majority of it, or at least the perceptions, are very mainstream?

Sam Friend: There is that element. But after some space, I'm starting to see how the two worlds share harmony. A lot of people involved have their hands in the more commercial role music plays, and still smell the smoke from the burning juke-joint down the road. I got into hosting the local music show at WVUM and stuck to my buttons. I tend to gravitate towards oddball music like she won't say a word. But once you get her going, get out of her way.

CJ: On your album, Secure and Fastened for Daisy Buchanan, the mood shifts from whimsical and playful to more serious sounding beautifully written melodies like Mister Huggins. What was your approach to the album as a whole? Did you have some sort of all encompassing idea in mind prior to recording?

Sam Friend: Secure and Fastened began in London. There was this empty cork board when I got there and I just kept at it. Collage art was in the air. There were lineups, mailing addresses, and field days. It was a process of getting rid of the phony filler until you're on to something central. By the grace of free before midnight, I got plugged into Veltrac music. Ethan Carlson and Pepe Velasquez. Taught me a great deal. The idea's be careful what you put down. As Henry Miller put it. "Art isn't a solo performance; it's a symphony in the dark with millions of participants and millions of listeners."

CJ: You're a UM music grad. What would you say is one of the biggest things that you took with you from your education (music wise) there, and still benefits you to this day?

Sam Friend: Practice rooms stayed open until midnight. It was a riot. People couldn't fathom prioritizing. It was singular. Music education likes to test your grip. Teaches you how to hone the reigns. Asks you where you're heading with your head like that.

CJ: How would you describe your music to someone who's never heard it before?

Sam Friend: A cobalt blue stamp of approval

CJ: As a true indie act, what some of the difficulties you face on the road?

Sam Friend: Breaking music and making habits. On the record, I'd like to thank Peanut for getting me out of a jam.

CJ: What are some acts in Miami that you think will make some noise on the national level one day?

Sam Friend: I'm fairly certain Jesse Jackson will come back to haunt us. Awesome New Republic put on the best live show I have ever. And Sweat records is a giant pink flamingo.

CJ: You're playing at the Vagabond this Friday night, which is a big return to your home town and you're first time playing that venue. What do you look forward to most that night?

Sam Friend: Technically, it'll be the second. We did a date in October and layed some bricks below both feet. It was a blast. Got all layered from the well, which lead to a cellphone incident. Under the conditions, let's call it a fair question. This time around we're planning on swaying like shakers in cahoots. I'll bring the boots.

CJ: What's in the works for you in 09'?

Sam Friend: Turning wheels on a trail into theme parks. Putting on openings, that sort of thing. Exhibits of punctuation mostly.

Click here to hear more from Sam Friend.