24 November 2025
Every Monday I will be bringing you an interview with an independent band, duo or music artist. This week, I caught up with London based artist Sam Macdonald to find out more…
Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I am from Carlisle – first got into music by listening to my dad’s old 50s and 60s cassette tapes really is my first real memory, so old time rock and roll really was my first love I guess. A lot of my mates were in bands and I always watched them and wanted to do it so they are really among my big influences in terms of making it seem possible!
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
Probably Buddy Holly first and then heavily into Oasis, Dylan, Creedence, The La’s, Stone Roses and The Smiths among a host of others. As I’ve got older Neil Young has come much further into my world – I went to see him not so long ago and was truly blown away by the presence he still has and the hugeness of his sound.
How would you describe your sound?
A mixture of melodic and warped is something I like to aim for. I like to have a sound that works well acoustically as well as with a full band, given that I mostly play solo live.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
My new release is called “Gone”. I think it’s really a fusion of Captain Beefheart, The La’s and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – short, stomping, warped and fuzzy with a nice ring to it – that’s the goal anyway!
What’s your local music scene like?
London’s alternative scene is so diverse it’s amazing – doing gigs with a wide range of people is fantastic for opening your mind to new things. The last gig I did featured an African soul singer and a LatAm singer songwriter – it was fab – had a real friendly community feel about it.
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
More tunes – more gigs. Looking to really expand what I am doing and hopefully work with some more musicians on a live basis – although I have no idea what that looks like currently.
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
I would love to mix rock and hip-hop and collaborate with Courtney Barnett and/or Chali 2Na from Jurassic 5 – both outstanding and unique artists in their own way – and I think their voices would be really cool together – maybe some three-piece harmonies with myself!
Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
My gigs are often interrupted by tube/rail strikes of late! Seems to be recurring theme unfortunately I don’t mind though – power to the people and all that
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
I’m bald – I know I hide it well – but I feel it’s time to come clean and tell the world.
You can find out more about Sam via Instagram or Spotify.
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