Sam Johnson has released his new EP ‘Are We There Yet?’.
Presenting 5 raw releases straight from heart, the EP encases emotion in every track with clever songwriting immersing you in his life stories.
Speaking of his new EP, Sam Johnson said, “‘Are We There Yet?’ marks a definitive farewell to my childhood on both a personal and musical level for me. It’s an EP that maps my recollection of a time gone by that I miss greatly and contemplate often. Written with both optimistic intention and wistful yearning, it is a body of work that sways in torrents of emotion that even I struggle to define or understand. On a musical level, it’s been a part of my growth, but on a personal level, it’s a much-needed bit of closure to a beloved time in my life that I need to leave behind in order to move forward. Are we there yet? I don’t think so, not just yet, but I think I’m more at peace with the journey now.”
To celebrate his EP release, we caught up with Sam Johnson to discover 5 tracks that influenced ‘Are We There Yet?’.
Jamie T – Man’s Machine | Listen via Spotify
Perhaps not an obvious influence sonically, but lyrically this little gem has been lingering in the back of my mind ever since I heard it in my teens. The anthemic nature of the chorus incited memories of the small town mischief I was privy to on underage nights out back in the day, and I feel that songs like ‘The Kids Are Alright’ and ‘Nineteen’ somehow bubbled to the surface years later due to this early love affair with Jamie T’s music.
Johnny Cash – Hurt | Listen via Spotify
This Trent Rezner classic indelibly sung into the history books by Cash’s untouchable voice has sent shivers down my spine for as long as I can remember. I suppose it is therefore hard to escape its influence on anything I write, but I think it has particular relevance to ‘Peter Pan’. Probably my most honest and autobiographical song to-date, and one that openly reveals my paralyzing fear of growing up surely owes something to those immortal lines “what have I become?”
Jurassic 5 – Concrete Schoolyard | Listen via Spotify
Another curveball influence, but an influence, nonetheless. This monstrous tune soundtracked some of the best moments of my life. From road trips fresh from passing our tests, or house parties when we should have been working, this song provided my friends and I with countless memories that we still recite moment for moment to this day. It’s bouncy nostalgia and effortlessly catchy melody was a huge influence for ‘Nineteen’ and much of the lyrical themes that run throughout the EP.
James Bay – Let It Go | Listen via Spotify
The super honest and simple sentiment of “putting your past behind you” and “moving on” that runs throughout this song certainly gave me inspiration for ‘Shoulder To Cry On’. I wanted to write something that concisely summed up a message of support for someone I’d fallen for a few years ago, hoping that it might allow something to blossom between the two of us. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out in my favour haha, but I still look back fondly on this song’s humble beginnings.
Haim – Falling | Listen via Spotify
This beautifully rhythmic and glamorous song from Haim really put them on the map for me back in 2013. The infectious 80’s inspired rock beat and mellifluous topline really stood out to me at the time and stayed in the itchier part of my bones that likes to dance ever since. The verse and middle 8 in ‘Changes’ took great influence from this and allowed me to open up a little more to its pop nature and directness, with the lyric “never look back and never give up” in its outro also informing the hopeful and optimistic note that I endeavoured to strike in the EP’s more buoyant moments.
Stream Sam Johnson’s new EP ‘Are We There Yet?’ via Spotify below: