Sam Shaber
By Alex Teitz
Sam Shaber is a New York-based singer-songwriter of extraordinary talent and skill. She is unafraid of taking risks and of pushing the limits. Her latest CDSam*pler is a five-song EP of her newest work. For more information visit http://www.samshaber.com
FEMMUSIC: Describe your songwriting technique?
SS: I always have to start with an idea – sometimes a lyrical idea, sometimes a musical idea, sometimes a little bit of both. For instance, I have a song called “Bare” which started as a challenge to myself to see if I could write a song based on only two chords. Another song, “Perfect” came from a feeling of rejection and frustration with someone. Hopefully much of the song will write itself if the idea is strong enough and the muse is visiting! From there my process is basically holistic – I build the music and the lyrics at the same time so that they work together.
FEMMUSIC: What was the biggest challenge making your current CD?
SS: My biggest problems were logistical. The tracking was done in one day very quickly and simply, (it’s a solo CD), but putting the other pieces together – the mixing and artwork and duplication – was hugely complicated and plagued with bad luck and timing. But I pressed on and finally it was done – the day of the CD release party I picked up the copies and went straight to the gig!Yikes…
FEMMUSIC: What was the best experience making your current CD?
SS: I got to mix it at Conway Studios in Los Angeles which was amazing. It’s the top studio on the West Coast – all their clients are major labels with cash to burn and even though I was there for free I still got the free bottled water and bagels in the kitchen! The studio was immaculate and fully equipped and the staff of engineers and assistants were very enthusiastic – they even came from the studio straight to my gig that night!
FEMMUSIC: Who have been your musical mentors?
SS: Mostly my colleagues – singer-songwriters across the country who, aside from becoming some of my best friends, continually inspire and amaze me in their writing and performing. They keep my butt in gear, that’s for sure! A few names would include Edie Carey, Anne O’Meara Heaton, Andrew Kerr, Teddy Goldstein, Nini Camps, Pamela Means, Barbara Kessler, Trina Hamlin, Stewart Lewis, Sloan Wainwright, Steve Tannen and many more. I’m also inspired by Joni Mitchell, Prince, Ani DiFranco, Dan Bern, Springsteen, and others.
FEMMUSIC: What one thing have you learned that has helped build you audience?
SS: To be myself and allow my audience to be themselves. I try to welcome them, inspire them, cheer them, upset them, let them cry with me, laugh with me, share experiences with me through my songs. And I also try to kick butt on stage!
FEMMUSIC: What one thing would you like to change about the music industry?
SS: I assume by this you mean the major label industry? The indie industry and folk/grassroots industry are doing just fine I think, but the major labels are dying and seem to view artists as employees – the whole “works for hire” thing where artists can’t even make royalties these days – might as well punch in and punch out by the way they’re treated. Labels don’t invest in their artists anymore – don’t do development or long-term planning. Just “Gimme a hit, thank you, goodbye.”
FEMMUSIC: As a woman in the music industry, have you been discriminated against?
SS: I’ve certainly been taunted while carrying my guitar down the street! In the genre of singer-songwriter though, I think women have the lead these days and I don’t feel much discrimination. Thanks to organizations like Indiegrrl and Goldenrod Distribution and so on women have become very strong in the business. As for major labels I can’t say – that seems much worse. We all have to look like Britney Spears or something – ugh.
FEMMUSIC: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
SS: Play out play out play out play out! Play with other artists. Share gigs. Organize shows. Be everywhere at once. Tour tour tour tour. And get ready to do a lot of administrative and promotional work that has nothing to do with music but has everything to do with building a career as a performer. And then when you start to build a fan base, be as personal with them as time allows – the more you connect with people the stronger their interest is and that’s the most solid progress you can make – that’s the real deal.
FEMMUSIC: What are your plans for the future?
SS: World domination? No, too much responsibility. Just to always move forward with my music and my career and to keep as much control over it as possible. My more immediate plan is to get this new EP, the Sam*pler, heard by as many people as possible and start to build a team to work on the next fully produced album.