SAM HALE Discusses His Brand New EP ‘Somewhere Between Love & War’ and More!

Photo Credit – Kevin Donnelly

Get to know the Nashville-based musician, Sam Hale, who speaks to the heart with eloquent songwriting complemented by rich dream-inducing melodies.

Sam recently released his EP, “Somewhere Between Love & War.” The latest single out from the collection was “Can’t Take It” which is an emotionally-charged track. Built with lavish layers of electro synths, heartbeat-like drums, and echoing vocals, “Can’t Take It” brings listeners on a suspenseful uphill ride through pent up emotion before landing comfortably in an alleviating chorus that’s easy to sing along to.

Check out the single “Can’t Take It” Here”:

Learn more about Sam Hale in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you now? Is there music playing in the background?

I’m actually watching the Lakers play the Trailblazers as I’m on the bed of my hotel in Irvine, CA. I’m a Lakers fan. Go LA!

Now that we are on the back end of the year, how do you think 2018 has treated you and your career? What has been one goal that you have had this year and how close are you to reaching it? Or did you already reach it?

2018 was and is a positive year. I went to Nashville in the latter part of 2017 and didn’t know anyone. I made friends, I recorded an EP, found a manager, met my Pledge Music goal, and went on tour. We have so much to do still, but it’s been such a productive year. I’m definitely grateful for how things have turned out.

Growing up, how important was music to you? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

Music has always been at the top of priorities. I knew I wanted to be a musician from the moment I learned how to talk. It’s definitely not an easy road, but it has its rewards. The rewards are not always something you can measure. Music is spiritual and transcendent before anything else. When I perform in front of a crowd and everything is clicking, that feeling is impossible to describe. It’s like nothing else on this planet.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

Well, I’ve been lucky to see a transition from a label-driven music industry to a more independent one. Before, labels pretty much controlled what artists were seen and heard. Now, every artist has the ability to control their career and build a following. Is it easy? Definitely not. It’s a huge challenge, and one that I didn’t plan for when I was in my early 20’s. I’m now more accountable than ever, because I myself am the gatekeeper to my own destiny.

Photo Credit- Jenna Doolittle

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live today?

I would definitely say my music has been influenced by Nashville, but not so much in the way of country. I have been able to hear a lot of great Americana acts that have inspired me, and you can hear some of it in my EP ‘Somewhere Between Love & War’. Some of my favorite acts of the year would have to be David Ramirez, Lord Huron, Andrew Combs, Rayland Baxter and Kevin Morby.

Let’s talk about your track, “Can’t Take It.” What was the inspiration for this song? How do you think it prepared listeners for your EP, “Somewhere Between Love & War”?

I wrote that song a couple years ago. It was inspired by the awareness of an inadequate relationship that was holding both of us back – it was a crutch. The song pretty much wrote itself in 30 minutes.

I think “Can’t Take It” speaks to many people because a lot of people have gone through a similar situation and can relate on some level. Because of its relatability, I felt that it would make a great single on the EP.

What was it like putting together your EP? Did anything surprise you about the overall process? How did you celebrate the release of it?

I celebrated my release before it was released haha. There is so much time between getting the actual masters of the recording and pushing it live with the correct PR and marketing. By the time it was released to the public, I was already ready for the next EP.

The process was definitely different than other recordings. I worked with an amazing producer, Sam Kassirer, who owns Great North Sound Society in Maine. He’s worked on so many great records including ‘We’re Not Going Anywhere’ by David Ramirez, which was the album that put Sam on the map for me. After I really got to experience the album, I started researching and connected with him to work on some music. And work on some music is precisely what we did. After 5-6 months of back and forth, we landed on the songs that would make this EP and recorded them at his studio in Parsonsfield, Maine.

What other songs on “Somewhere Between Love & War” are you particularly proud of?

My favorite song on the EP is “The Tourist”. It came out better than I imagined in my head. It’s probably the least catchy of them all and doesn’t really follow a main stream arrangement. That’s probably why I love it so much.

Do you have plans to make music videos for any of the songs on this new collection?

I’m working on a video for “Supernatural” and “Can’t Take It” as we speak!

Since the beginning of music, people have turned to it for support and as an escape from their realities. How do you want your music received and appreciated?

I think you pretty much hit the nail on the coffin. Everyone is going to have a different experience with my music. If it makes you smile, great. If it makes you cry, I’m sorry!

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

Photo Credit- Kirsten Balani

I have a love/hate relationship with social media. I love that I can reach out to all my fans, but I also don’t like to get too caught up in that world. I think the best connections are the ones made in person. I’m appreciative that I have made some awesome fans online.

My favorite platform by far is Instagram. I can do without all the other ones.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

That’s such a tough question. My music taste has evolved a ton and keeps evolving. I don’t really listen to too much main stream music. I get super excited when I find a new artist that is on the rise that none of my friends know about.

But if we’re talking about all-time favorites, I would love to work with Trent Reznor and Thom Yorke. I mean, who wouldn’t?

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you and why?

That’s a tough one. At first, I wanted to say an acoustic guitar but once the strings break you are screwed. CDs and iPods wouldn’t last because of power and batteries. I don’t really think there is an item that will last forever. Is this a trick question??

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

I would love to be featured on Lost in Space or Ozark to name a couple. I’m not picky, call me!

Do you have any tour dates you would like to tell our readers about? How will you be spending your winter?

I just wrapped up a Texas Tour to promote the EP and now I’m focused on writing, music videos and booking for the next year.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? I’d like to know more about how you want your music to be timeless?

If my music inspires people to do something positive for their lives then I am happy. There is so much great music out there in the world of streaming. If I’m fortunate enough to cross paths with you through my music, then I’ve done my job.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

I don’t understand why they put fruit on cakes.