We are able to’t consider a greater method to begin 2025 than by introducing one among our pointblank Recordings artists, Sam the Zoologist, as this month’s scholar success story. pointblank Recordings is our in-house report label, a platform the place business mentors nurture rising expertise and assist college students develop their careers. Sam, a present scholar enrolled within the Music Manufacturing and Sound Engineering 3 12 months diploma, has joined the label and launched three singles prior to now yr and brought the social media world by storm – incomes thousands and thousands of views throughout his social media. He’s been featured on BBC Introducing Radio and even secured the number one spot within the UK for Indie/Various songs and quantity 3 globally on the SubmitHub charts.
Please welcome our Sam the Zoologist!
Hey Sam! For individuals who don’t know you, why don’t you inform us somewhat about your self?
Hey guys! I’m Sam the Zoologist, a 22-year-old artist born and raised in Italy, now dwelling in London. I’ve been taking part in music for so long as I can keep in mind. I grew up taking part in rock solos on my electrical guitar and have someway, over time, transitioned to a way more totally different type of music. I’ve been writing and producing music since 2019, and it’s the greatest love of my life.
How’s your pointblank expertise thus far?
I feel it’s actually eye-opening for me to recall the place I used to be earlier than enrolling as a scholar. I’m at the moment doing the Music Manufacturing and Sound Engineering 3 12 months diploma. I didn’t know very a lot about something. It’s solely been two years however I really feel like I’ve grown a lot musically and personally.
What’s your favorite factor about class?
My favorite factor about my lessons needs to be the 1-2-1 time I get with lecturers. These classes have taught me a lot I would actually not be the identical with out them. I feel anybody who usually needs to get loads higher and manufacturing and the general recording/engineering course of would like it!
As you understand, you’re one among our pointblank Recording (PBR) artists. What’s it like underneath PBR?
It has been a very nice expertise! I first met (one among PBR’s Trade Mentor) Kwame at a stage the place I felt my music was actually uncooked (and in my present opinion not excellent in any respect) and I used to be nonetheless discovering who I used to be, and how much music I needed to make. He noticed one thing and because of his recommendation, I began working with Peter Lyons (an unimaginable producer) the next yr who helped me form into the artist I’m as we speak.
I bought the prospect to work with skilled people who find themselves at all times there if I’ve a query and are superb at encouragement and recommendation. Each time I’ve proven indicators of constructing the mistaken choices, I typically get a name or have a chat with Kwame or Jonny and get some constructive suggestions, which has additionally helped me develop in expertise and as an individual. Every thing is so new to me, so to be surrounded by individuals who know is a present I’m so grateful for.
How do you’re feeling about your most up-to-date 2 singles “The Greatest You’ll Ever Have” and “Copacabana”?
I’m very excited! Each songs have been a very long time within the making. I had a lot enjoyable making them with Pete and I’m overwhelmed to see so many individuals having fun with them! If someone connects to them, that’s a mission completed for me.
It’s been an important expertise attempting to create a gaggle of songs that work as a collective but in addition stand out individually. I hope folks preserve connecting. If my music can put a smile on someone’s face, that’s all I can ask for actually!
Try Sam’s Spotify.
Your music is usually featured on BBC. How did you handle to get your music on the radio?
I’ve at all times uploaded my music to the BBC Introducing Uploader and someway the superb Introducing DJ Melita Dennet picked up my most up-to-date launch (The Greatest You’ll Ever Have) and favored it! I used to be thrilled when she picked it as observe of the day for a following BBC Radio present known as Orbit. I like to recommend importing to the uploader. You by no means know who may pay attention.
What’s your writing/manufacturing course of like?
I often write songs on an instrument when I’m feeling a selected manner. If I’m unhappy, or blissful or something actually, I have a tendency to choose up my guitar or sit at my keyboard and simply sing/write how I really feel. I by no means like complicating something. Simply write how you’re feeling and don’t fear if it sounds type of tacky. As a matter of reality, the cheesier the higher for those who ask me.
As soon as I’ve written a tune and I can carry out it effectively on an instrument, I transfer into Logic. I’m not saying that is the fitting manner. I’ve a lot of respect for beginning the writing course of within the DAW as effectively. It’s simply not my most popular manner. I like utilizing dwell devices, so any more money I ever make is at all times saved and spent on some type of instrument. For me, recording an actual instrument is a lot extra fulfilling and exquisite than programming issues in MIDI. Once more, simply private choice.
I spent so lengthy attempting to get issues to sound “polished” and “skilled”, it’s ironic now I intentionally lengthy for the alternative. I desire sounds that aren’t essentially excellent however really feel and sound distinctive.
As soon as I’ve the songs the place I like them, I often name Pete, and we work on the demo collectively to achieve one of the best last model attainable.
You’re getting numerous traction on social media for the time being. How did you’re feeling when your video went viral (at the moment over 3.5 million views)?
Actually blissful and in addition very confused. I spent so lengthy creating movies that I labored so exhausting on, posting day-after-day so many occasions till exhaustion, with no outcomes. I ended posting so incessantly and made a very random video speaking to the digicam about an expertise I had at a dwell present of mine. I do know that is cliché, however I genuinely was about to delete the video from my drafts, as I believed it made me look lame and a tiny bit like a loser. I ended up posting it late at evening, with no hashtags, and no hope of something occurring. Funnily sufficient, it wasn’t till a few week later when the video actually began to take off and so did the subsequent one I posted. I used to be so blissful one thing lastly labored, but it surely was type of a bittersweet second like me speaking to Instagram and saying: “Actually? That is the one which works?”.
Anyway, I’ve been utterly overwhelmed with beautiful messages and feedback and many folks discovering me and my music, so I’m so excited and hopeful I can preserve it going!
What’s your recommendation to college students battling social media?
Firstly I’d say I’ve completely no clue the way it works both! I discover it humorous the way you communicate to so many individuals and no one is aware of the reply. As a result of there isn’t one. All I’d say is simply preserve chopping and altering, if one thing doesn’t work, change it!
I keep in mind for ages I used to be posting movies of covers, and movies of me lip-syncing my songs and bought completely nothing. For some purpose, I saved on doing it for months and months. Because of the label, I set to work with Alexa King on my social media and she or he advised I discuss to the digicam. At first, I used to be hesitant and sceptical. Why would I discuss to the digicam? Folks have to love my music, not me! I attempted, tried after which tried once more, and what have you learnt, one thing labored!
I’d additionally say don’t do it as a chore. The most effective suggestions I bought from Alexa was “deal with it as your diary”. That’s precisely what I did within the two movies that carried out effectively.
Funnily sufficient, I’ve posted covers since then and shock shock, they didn’t work! Perhaps I ought to take my very own recommendation…
Any future tasks and/or occasions you’d wish to share?
My debut EP goes to be out with pointblank Recordings proper in the beginning of subsequent yr, and I couldn’t be extra excited. I’m taking part in the PBR Showcase on the sixteenth of January and hopefully a lot of extra reveals! So, if you’re searching for issues to do, be sure to keep tuned!
If you happen to’d wish to observe alongside Sam’s journey, try his socials right here. We provide programs in , , , and extra. We even have campuses in , , and – so you’ve gotten entry to world-class curriculum irrespective of you’re.
If you happen to’re a scholar in pointblank who’s inquisitive about becoming a member of pointblank Recordings, please submit your music to kwame@pointblankrecordings.com or john.fortis@pointblankrecordings.com to get 1-2-1 mentorships with our business consultants. They’ll ship steering with music path, artist improvement, and A&R. Alternatively, you’ll be able to ship your music to good day@pointblankrecordings.com and if profitable, one of many crew members shall be in contact.
Register to Entry Free Programs, Plugins, Tasks, Samples & Extra
If you register with pointblank, you entry an array of free sounds, plugins, on-line course samples and far more! Merely register under and go to our Free Stuff web page to get your palms on a spread of unique music-making instruments and tutorials offered by the crew.
