Hailing from the land of song, Welsh country-pop artist Rae Sam is already making waves in the world of music following the release of three singles and the release of her debut album, The Great Escape.
Rae Sam’s musical journey began after taking piano lessons and learning three chords on the guitar, she wrote a song and performed it in nearby churches at the age of nine. Rae then delved into the world of performing arts.
Exposed to live music that was rooted in country, Celtic and folk from a young age, Rae became deeply connected to the rawness of Country and its unique power to ‘hit the soul,’ accept brokenness and heal at the same time. A remedy that she had used in her own life during the toughest of times.
Since getting married and moving to England, Rae’s music has taken her all over the world. During a month tour in the USA, she visited Nashville and recorded her first EP with Chester Thompson, known for his work with Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention and Genesis.
Rae Sam’s Album Debut – The Great Escape
So, to the bright, breezy country pop which is The Great Escape, (something we all yearn for at the moment when lockdown restrictions are lifted!). The three single releases taken from the album have received support from over 15 radio stations, as well as social media pages! Rae’s latest single Wildly Me, was chosen as ‘hits brits champion’ by Country Hits radio and is still being picked up by radio stations.
Not forgetting her Welsh roots, the album also includes the composition, Coming Home, a song Rae wrote about missing Wales when she moved to England.
Here, Rae Sam takes a trip down memory lane to reveal her music inspirations to Andy Howells.
What was the first song that made an impact on you?
There was one song that I did not stop singing when I was younger and that was My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion. When visitors came over, I would put on my feather bower, bring out my toy microphone and sing my heart out! When I think back to how much emotion I felt whilst singing it, it makes me realise that even if you don’t fully understand the words, you can still feel the music. That’s the beauty of music – it has no age limit!
What was the first single you bought?
My first ever purchase was Busted’s single What I Go to School For, which I bought with my pocket money. I was hooked the first time that I heard it. I had been watching their music video on TV, but this was back in the day when we would have to wait for the whole cycle to run until our favourite played again! So, I was desperate to have it on CD!
What was the first album you owned?
I would have been so young, but it must have been the Spice Girls! Their message of girl power caught me at a really young age and certainly left an impression on me! I think all their fans felt like the 6th member of that group!
What’s your constant go to track?
Ever since I was a teenager, I fell in love with Van Morrison’s song Brown Eyed Girl. It is now the song that I request at any party and whenever it comes on, all my friends jump onto the dancefloor with me because it’s now known as “my song”!
What’s your constant go-to album?
Anything by John Mayer really, he is my go-to artist! But in particular, I love his album Room For Squares, which is perfect for any mood. The music and guitar riffs just give me this excited admiration. In fact, Your Body is a Wonderland was the inspiration behind a song that I wrote called Honey, which is on my album!
Who’s your latest music discovery?
Maren Morris’ album Girl was the music that introduced me to her. I just love her passion, soulful vocals, big flavours of electric guitars and this genre defying sense that each one of her songs contains! She is taking Country music into such an exciting direction and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in the future!
What is your own track that best defines you as an artist?
The third single that I released called Wildly Me was written about the journey that I have been on over the last few years. It starts at this bold moment where I decide to not hold back anymore and just go for my dreams. Finally, to just be myself and not worry about whether people will like me! The song describes who I want to be and what I want my music to be like – fearless, passionate, and wild!
Originally, the song was written to have an acoustic guitar vibe, but it went on this journey of experimenting with different sounds, lyrics and vocals. Finally, it ended up in this place of Country pop, with a slight Celtic edge to the melody, a folk tune on the violin and an emotional build-up of gospel vocals! It reflects my musical journey as an artist. I began as an acoustic act, then I had the honour of playing in different countries and with different musicians/styles (particularly Nashville). I picked up those sounds along the way, experimented with different genres and eventually found the place where my music could be ‘wildly me’ – a mix of all those musical influences that I love!