Entertainment
The Healing Power of Music
[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap radius”]W[/dropcap]ith a charming Australian accent, and endless passion for his craft, singer and songwriter, Sammy J has recently brought his unique brand of soul, jazz and island reggae from “Down Under” to eager audiences in the United States. Now living in Los Angeles, Sammy has toured extensively playing to sold out crowds, and yet remains as humble as he was before being plucked from relative obscurity into the spotlight. He proudly embraces his Maori and Polynesian roots to create uplifting music that can be enjoyed by all. His desire to remain a positive force in an industry ripe with bad influences is due in large part to his strong Christian upbringing and past experiences as a social worker who spent six years counseling at risk kids in his native Australia. While music is now Sammy’s full-time career, he still sees it as a form of therapy that can be used to better the world. That is why, off the stage Sammy remains true to his calling by mentoring troubled youth and offering a positive outlet to focus their energy on via a music therapy program. CULTURE recently caught up with Sammy for a quick chat with the rising star, as he solidifies his sound and his place in the music industry.
“Being a musician, you have a platform to say a lot of things and speak life into a lot of people, so I just use it as another form of therapy, really.”
How did you get started in the music industry?
I was a backup singer for about six years. After that, a lot of us, we used to make YouTube videos. From the videos—that’s how I got found on my first label. Basically one thing led to another. I am very lucky, I guess.
You were a social worker at the time, right? Do you still do that?
Yeah! So when I was doing backup, it was a hobby that, I guess being from Australia and New Zealand you always dream that you can do something cool like music, but being realistic, you never think it will ever really happen . . . So. I come from a very strong Christian background. My parents were very adamant about having a proper education and a proper job, so I did social work for about six years. I still do it, but it’s a little different now. Then, I was working for the (Australian) government, working specifically with Polynesian young people. Basically, I was working in the homeless sector. Now, we go around to schools and we do workshops and stuff like that.
“I feel like, if you can use [cannabis] and it makes you feel better . . . why not? There are a lot of drugs from the medical pharmacy that have so many side effects, but people can use cannabis and there are no side effects.”
Is music as rewarding to you as social work?
I think it’s one in the same. It’s just a different form of social work. Being a musician, you have a platform to say a lot of things and speak life into a lot of people, so I just use it as another form of therapy, really. That’s why in my music you’ll never really hear any swearing or anything like that. It’s just positive and fun, because I would never want anyone to question the work I did before.
If your music had a mission statement, what would it be?
I just want to sing about things that are real. The concept of love, you just don’t hear about it anymore. It’s very hard to turn on the radio these days and hear someone singing about love.
Can you describe the sound and vibe of your music?
It’s a mixture because I come from a soul background and somehow I got pushed into the reggae scene! So it’s an infusion of reggae and soul, and a little touch of jazz. It’s ever evolving and changing. I’m about to drop another EP in March, and I’m still learning who I am as an artist and what my sound is, because it all happened very quickly. I’ve never had time to solidify my sound. So I’ve just been learning and creating as I go. It’s exciting! If I had to break it down, yeah . . . it’s reggae and soul.
What are your thoughts on cannabis?
I feel like, if you can use it and it makes you feel better . . . why not? There are a lot of drugs from the medical pharmacy that have so many side effects, but people can use cannabis and there are no side effects. Well, you may get a bit hungry! I think it is definitely positive.
