Samantha Grimes is a left-handed and upside-down guitarist / singer / songwriter that has been penning pop/rock for the last twenty years. Based out of the Twin Cities, she is currently supporting her latest singles, including “Trainwreck” on Return Records / The Orchard / Sony Music Group.
Link to the latest music
https://samanthagrimesmusic.com/music
Where are you based?
Twin Cities, MN
How long have you been making music?
25 years
What genre would you consider your music to be?
Alternative Rock / Pop
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
My father was a DJ in the 1970s. I spent my childhood watching my parents dance around thinking “I want to make people feel something with music someday”. I wrote my first song at the age of 8. I played my first gig at 16. I’ve been going ever since!
What are your biggest musical influences?
The UK band, Travis. Alanis Morrisette. Keane, Anna Nalick.
Are you signed to a label or are you an independent artist?
Signed to Return Records and distributed by The Orchard / Sony Music Group.
What have been the biggest challenges in your music career?
The pandemic for sure! Also, I have been the booker for myself and my live band forever. Being a female and trying to standout against all the rest when vying for gigs is a struggle. You really have to put yourself out there and be persistent.
How many songs or albums have you released to date?
2 EPs which include 15 songs total.
Can you tell us a few things about your latest release?
Kingmaker is the latest release. It is the first track I’ve released that I play guitar and keys on, as well as produced. My writing process is, usually, catchy guitar lick first, followed by lyrics that are inspired by whatever the guitar (or piano) hooks make me feel. This one took off after my bass player, Jon Larson, came up with a catchy bass line that meshed perfectly with the guitar hook I had been playing. In all honesty, his own creative flare inspired me to finish the songwriting. At that point, my producer, J. Christopher Vaught, supported my desire to try my hand at producing the track myself. He even laid the studio bass line down and suffered through my artistic and flighty attitudes as the track came to fruition. My drummer, Nick Engelhart, emulates the drum track so effortlessly that the live performances of Kingmaker sound amazing. The final engineering and mastering was completed by Dean Eumenidi. It is not my most popular track – Trainwreck definitely takes the cake for that one. But it was a labor of love and a testament that I am capable of more than I give myself credit for – and that I have a village of love from my band and my producer that fosters and lets my creativity shine.
Any plans for new music or upcoming projects we should know about?
There is a new album coming out in May which will feature “Trainwreck” as well as the title track “Damage” which I am so excited to release. “Damage” is an incredible song that started as an acoustic romper and, through the genius of J. Christopher, came out rockin’.
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