Renowned LA by-way-of New Jersey singer-songwriter Sam MacPherson is excited to announce that his sophomore EP Powerlines is out today, April 14 via Elektra Entertainment. In celebration of the forthcoming effort, MacPherson today released “Stretch,” a cathartic and introspective new single about finding love.
Save the record HERE, stream/download “Stretch” HERE, and watch its companion visualizer HERE.
We recently got to chat with Sam about his new record, what the typical writing and recording process looks like and whom he would love to work with in the music industry! Read more below:
The Vinyl: To those who aren’t quite familiar with you, mind introducing yourself and share a fun fact no one may know about you?
Sam MacPherson: My name’s Sam MacPherson I’m a songwriter, artist, and producer from New Jersey. Fun fact about me is my initials spell my name – Sam August MacPherson.
TV: What first sparked your interest in being a singer-songwriter? Who/what are some musical inspirations you may have?
SM: I think I was just in awe of the ability to write songs and create something from nothing. I had no idea I could write songs until I was 20 or so. It felt like I had unlocked a part of me that was dormant for most of my life. A lot of my early writing was simply falling in love with the process of writing and I’m still on the journey now.
TV: You recently just released your single “Safe To Say,” what’s the story behind this single?
SM: “Safe to Say” is about looking to your left and right in your twenties and realizing that there’s many aspects of life you won’t figure out. So it’s nice to find someone that gives you the kind of love you don’t have to think about.
TV: You’re also set to release your second EP Powerlines, what was the creative process like when working on this project? What normally comes first, the music or the lyrics for you?
SM: It’s been a yearlong process writing these songs and then getting them to the finish line. My process is that I have no process I think. Sometimes it’s a word, or a title, or a melody I hum that starts the ball rolling downhill, but I can’t say I have a no-fail start to writing a song. There are many days I fall on my face when I really want to write a song, and there’s days when a song seems to appear without any intentional thought or muscular effort.
TV: What are some things you may have learned/took from past EP that you have applied to the new EP?
SM: I think just taking my time to give the details the attention they deserve. I’m always looking to get deeper into the songs, the production, my own artistry. I think the way to do that at the moment is just really being intentional about things down to the molecular level.
When in the writing/recording process of a record, how do you stay motivated/what inspires you to write?
SM: I think it’s more when I am inspired, I do everything I can to capture that energy while I have it. I cancel the plans I had and I work on whatever song is revealing itself to me at that time because I know those special moments don’t last forever.
TV: In the past you’ve collaborated with some talented musicians such as Stephen Sanchez. Are there any other collaborations in your future? Or who would you like to collaborate with given the choice of any artist?
SM: I’d love to write a song with Lennon Stella or SZA. I think they’re both amazing,
TV: You’re going to be heading out on your first headlining tour? What city are you looking forward to visiting the most?
SM: Being from New Jersey, NYC is always a great time. I’m excited to go to cities I’ve never stepped foot in before. Salt Lake City is looking like it’ll be a wild show and I’ve never been there before which is crazy to me.
TV: You have gone from opening up for some notable acts like Chelsea Cutler, Jake Scott and The Brook & The Bluff etc, but this being your own tour, are there any nerves or excitement?
SM: I am purely excited and ready to give people a show I think they’ll really love.
TV: As we conclude this interview, anything you would like to say to your fans?
SM: If you listen to my music once or every day, thank you. It always has and always will mean the world to me and there’s really no other way to say it. I feel nothing but lucky.