Zoology Star: Showcasing Sam's Passion and Knowledge in Wildlife Studies
Hey there! Let's take a peek at one of our amazing Music Production and Sound Engineering students, Sam the Zoologist, who's making some serious noise in the music biz. Our in-house record label, our school Recordings, offers an exclusive platform for students to flourish and kickstart their careers. Sam, a 22-year-old Italian-born, London-based artist, has dropped three soul-stirring singles in the past year, and he's been wowing the world with his millions of views on social media! He's even snagged the coveted number 1 spot for Indie/Alternative songs in the UK and grabbed the number 3 spot globally on the SubmitHub charts.
So, who the hell is Sam the Zoologist, anyway?
Hiya! I'm Sam, a 22-year-old artist who's been making music since I could walk. I was a rock god on my electric guitar as a kid, but somehow ended up in a completely different music scene. I started writing and producing my own tunes in 2019, and it's become the spark that lights up my life!
What's been your our school experience like so far?
Hell, yeah! It's been an eye-opener, that's for sure. Before signing up, I was a musical noob. It's only been two years, but I've learned so much and grown leaps and bounds, both musically and personally.
What's your fave thing about class?
I bloody love the one-on-one time I get with my lecturers. Those sessions have been instrumental in my growth - pun intended! I think anyone who wants to get better at production and overall engineering would geek out over 'em.
What's it like being part of our school Recordings (PBR)?
It's been a wild ride! I first met one of PBR's Industry Mentors, Kwame, at a time when I thought my music was godawful. He heard something in my tunes and gave me some killer advice, which led me to work with producer extraordinaire, Peter Lyons, the following year.
With PBR, I've gotten the chance to work with experienced people who throw knowledge bombs and offer encouragement and advice whenever I need it. And lemme tell ya, it's comforting as hell being surrounded by folks who know their shit!
How do you feel about your recent singles "The Best You'll Ever Have" and "Copacabana"?
I am beyond stoked! Both tracks have been waxing on my brain for ages, and it feels great to finally see people enjoying them. If my music makes someone smile, that's a homerun for me!
How did you manage to get your music on the radio?
I've been uploading my tunes to BBC Introducing for ages, hoping someone would notice. And, low and behold, DJ Melita Dennet picked up my newest release ("The Best You'll Ever Have") and played it on the Orbit show! I'd recommend giving that uploader a whirl - you never know who might be tuning in.
What's your writing/production process like?
I usually jot down a tune when I'm feeling some type of way - whether it's sad, happy, or any emotional baggage in between. I try not to complicate things; I write what I feel. And if it sounds a teeny bit cheesy, well, that's what I'm aiming for!
Once I have a song sorted on an instrument, I move it over to Logic Pro X. I adore working with live instruments, so if any extra cash ever rolls in, it's going straight into some new gear! I prefer the old-school vibe of recording a real instrument instead of programming MIDI. But hey, everyone's got their own style!
I used to spend hours trying to make my tracks sound polished and professional, only to yearn for something more raw and unique. Now, I deliberately aim for an unpolished sound that feels authentic.
Once I have the songs where I like 'em, I hook up with Pete, and we work on the demos together until we nail the final version.
How did it feel when your video went viral (currently over 3.5 million views)?
I was shocked - and a little confused. I'd spent so long creating videos, posting them everywhere, and getting nowhere. I was about to ditch a random video I'd made about a concert experience, but I posted it late at night, with not a care in the world. Lo and behold, it started gaining steam, and so did the next one I posted. I was over the moon that something worked, but it felt a bit surreal - like talking to Instagram and saying "Really? This is the one that works?".
What's your advice to students struggling with social media?
First off, I've got no idea how social media works. Honestly, who does?! But I'd say just keep trying stuff and changing it up if something doesn't work. I remember posting video after video of covers, and nothing happened. Thanks to label advice, I switched things up and started talking to the camera. And guess what? Something worked!
I also suggest treating social media like your diary. That's exactly what I did with the videos that performed well.
Funnily enough, I've posted covers since then, and you guessed it, they bombed! Maybe I should take my own advice...
Upcoming projects and events you'd like to share?
My debut EP is dropping with our school Recordings right at the start of next year, and I am freakin' hyped! I'm playing the PBR Showcase on the 16th of January, so keep an eye out!
If you wanna follow my journey, check out my socials: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.
We offer courses in sound engineering, DJ performance, vocal performance, and more. Our campuses are in London, LA, Ibiza, and Online, so you can learn from the best no matter where you are.
If you're a student at our school and want to join our school Recordings, send your music to kwame@our schoolrecordings.com or john.fortis@our schoolrecordings.com for some 1-on-1 mentorship with industry experts. Or, send it to hello@our schoolrecordings.com, and we'll be in touch if your music catches our eye.
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1. It seems like Sam the Zoologist is using social media not just for entertainment purposes, but also as a platform to promote his music, as his singles have gained millions of views on various social media platforms.
2. Sam the Zoologist mentions that he has learned a lot about social media usage and content creation from the experts at our school, suggesting that the school may offer guidance on using social media platforms effectively for music promotion.
