We sat down with local singer-songwriter Sam Simmons ahead of the highly-anticipated launch of his fourth studio album ‘On Occasion & By Design’ to discuss the development of his work and the local music scene.
The 11-track album, which will be released on March 1st, also features Sam Carlton, who helped to produce and mix the album, and vocals from Louise Connor. It will be launched with a full band show at The Spiders Web in Grimsby, featuring support from other local acts such as Kid Spirit and Daniel Cliffe. Orphan Boy’s Rob Cross will be providing the soundtrack for the evening. An in-store performance will follow at Howlin Jack’s Records at 1pm on Sunday 3rd March.
Sam will be joined by veteran musician’s Jason Barwick, Rob Bywater, Sam Carlton, and Paul Grant, who have all seen huge success in their own right. Speaking to Gi Grimsby News, Sam said he hopes to carry the momentum on throughout the year, with a new single in the pipeline and additional shows planned throughout summer.
Sam described how he believes the area has had a resurgence, with a new bands and performances being announced all the time. “There are lots of talented people round here, it’s a very healthy scene at the moment,” he said.
On the promotion and album itself, Sam said: “It’s hard to promote things, especially originals, and can be difficult to balance. I just look at myself more as a singer in general- the majority of what I do is light entertainment, which I enjoy, but I can’t help but want to actually create. It’s nice to do a few nights each year where it’s completely original, it’s a nice outlet. It’s like my job and my hobby is the same thing.
“I think there was a bit of a lull then there was covid, there’s plenty of people giving it a go now. I think the bounce back from covid is only just happening now. There’s a lot of demand for live music at the moment.”
He continued: “I always make album’s the same way, at some point there’s a kind of impetus of a certain feeling I want to capture, you can say so much more with an album rather than a single song, when I start there’s always something I want to portray, and you carry that feeling across.”
“You can spend a whole album getting a good sound, but you learn from it, it’s a constant learning process. I find what you take from the last one, the next one is just like a refined version. We finished the album in December. We’ve done four music videos, with 11 tracks on the album, it can be hard and expensive.”
Sam said Grimsby and Cleethorpes is the scene in his mind and behind the music, emphasising his love for the area adding that for him, its the setting for all the music.
“I’m lucky to be in a band with such talent, I’m friends with them and they’re also my favourite bands, I’m a genuine fan of their music.” Sam concluded.
The album will be released on all major streaming platforms and available on limited CD.
