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I Used To Be Sam Presents a New Single ‘MOUNTAINS’

Internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter and vocal powerhouse I Used To Be Sam (aka Annie Goodchild) returns with their brand new single ‘Mountains’, out now. The track is the latest installment taken from their upcoming debut EP, ‘I Used to be Sam’, set for release this summer.

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Previously known for her work as Annie Goodchild and as a featured singer in the musical collective Postmodern Jukebox, I Used To Be Sam steps into a complex journey of transracial adoption and self-discovery on their new EP ‘I Used to Be Sam’ – an explorative new collection of deeply personal, cinematic, left-field pop, all wrapped up in the singers distinctively illustrious voice.

After taking an Ancestry DNA test, I Used To Be Sam learned that before being adopted, she used to be named Samantha. Album cornerstone ‘Mountains’ explores the sensation of emerging up out of ‘the fog’; a term that some adoptees use to describe the way they feel, think, and operate while growing up cloaked in denial, conditioning, and ignorance. Coming out of the fog refers to the organic and non-linear process by which an adoptee begins to unlearn and deconstruct the mythologies taught to them about adoption by their adoptive family and mainstream society at large.

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‘Mountains’ ties into the specific day on which I was adopted,” they explain. “My parents invited loads of people over to the house to welcome this kid to a completely different place, with all these people touching and holding my body and passing me around.” The excited new parents had just intended to welcome their baby to the family but inadvertently created a harmful setting despite their good intentions. “I ended up having a big seizure as a result. I also learned recently that for almost a year afterward I would have these episodes where I would just hardcore disassociate.”

One of the aspects to my journey and healing process through all this was allowing myself to get angry.  We are taught by the act of abandonment that anyone, even those who are meant to love you unconditionally will leave you. So be malleable, be small, please the egos of those who chose you. Don’t be mad when they take your name from you to fit their idea of their own family. I was adopted into privilege – a middle-class family who loves me. So to be told and shown by the wider TRA community that I’m allowed to be mad about my traumas, even though well-intentioned, was truly a gift.”

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Read More: An Exclusive interview with Rising Music Star, I Used To Be Sam

Though ‘Mountains’ is rooted in the anger associated with these memories, it also centers hope in its spare and affecting melodies. When I Used To Be Sam disassociates now, “I imagine mountains, they’re free and strong and open” and also represent the sense of grounding and foundation they feel they lack as an adopted person.

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After attempts to reconnect with her birth mother were met by re-rejection, I Used To Be Sam recounted this experience to a producer on a writing trip in Berlin. And from that moment, I Used To Be Sam was born. Including other transracial adoptees in this project became increasingly important to I Used To Be Sam the more they educated themself on the adoption narrative. Across films, TV, social media, or conversations at home, adoption is almost solely told through the lens of the adoptive parent. This skews and manipulates a very multi-layered experience for almost all adoptees / TRA’s. She says, “Our voices, our stories, our trauma, and our successes are ours to tell. So I knew early on that even though my platform wasn’t big, it was big enough to share with other TRA’s.”

Eager to learn and share experiences from other TRA’s, I Used To Be Sam reached out to adoptee communities through social media, and those who she spoke to are the voices heard throughout the project – “Adoptees have really created a lush community for each other.  And stumbling upon it was shocking but so rewarding.  For anyone interested in hearing more about adoption from adoptees I highly recommend respectfully visiting our spaces. I have learned so much from this group of generous people.”

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Not only is ‘Mountains’ the bravest, freest, and most confronting music of Annie’s prolific career, it’s also a vessel and safe space to bring people with shared experiences together, and open up the narrative around transracial adoption. Since the birth of the project, I Used To Be Sam has struck up conversations with countless other transracial adoptees (TRAs), and sharing overlapping experiences informed the incredibly personal nature of I Used To Be Sam’s debut EP.

I USED TO BE SAM ONLINE

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Artist Spotlight

“The Kids” by Animal Souls stirs timeless reverie on trust and innocence

Animal Souls

Imagine the sensation of rediscovering a script enclosed in a bottle, written decades ago, and finding its meaning both haunting and beautiful in its ambiguity. That’s why “The Kids,” the latest single from Animal Souls, feels like a reflective nostalgic treasure of lost sentiments reborn with timely relevance. Penned over three decades prior by the project’s mastermind, Michael Fisher, this song is a tender melodic tribute to the innocence of childhood and the inevitable complexity life brings. Despite the original meaning fading with time, its core message remains strikingly resonant, evoking the purity of beginnings and illustrating how life’s experiences mold our perceptions.

Musically, “The Kids” embodies a sense of gentle storytelling skillfully interwoven through a layered yet tapestry of intimate instrumentation that blends folk, rock, and orchestral influences. True to Animal Souls’ ethos, the arrangement isn’t tied to a single genre, allowing the overarching message of the song to dictate its sonic expression. Michael Fisher’s proficiency as a bassist and production expertise shines brilliantly here, creating a lush, immersive soundscape that benefits from the mastering expertise of Greg Mindorf. The collaboration with talented musicians from Fraser Valley enriches the track with warmth and authenticity, transforming it into a heartfelt dialogue rather than merely a performance.

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The song’s delicate equilibrium of vulnerability and wisdom establishes it as a remarkable addition to Animal Souls’ expanding repertoire. It’s the type of track that invites introspection, nudging listeners to reflect on their transitions from innocence to experience.

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With “The Kids,” Michael Fisher reaffirms that his late-blooming foray into a full-time musical career was meant to be. The subtle synth swells evoke a nostalgic ambiance, pulling listeners into a hazy, dreamlike recollection of their memories. The gently strummed rhythm juxtaposed with wistful melodies underscores the beauty and fragility inherent in the human experience. Don’t just listen; feel its profound emotional imprint.

 

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For more information about Animal Souls, please visit [website]. 
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Animal Souls’s The Kids on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Animal Souls | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook |

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Artist Spotlight

TaniA Kyllikki shares an energetically inspiring anthem in her new single, “Feel Good Vibes”

TaniA Kyllikki

Feel Good Vibes,” composed by TaniA Kyllikki, represents a vibrant anthem that encapsulates resilience, celebration, positivity, and mindfulness themes. This work not only commands attention but also evokes a profound emotional response. The latest single offers a refreshing auditory experience that resonates with nostalgia while achieving a contemporary flair by seamlessly integrating elements of pop, house, dance, and traditional influences. The thumping bass and crisp drum beats that characterize the initial measures effectively engage listeners, drawing them into an exhilarating musical journey.

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The opening verses establish a bold rhythmic foundation as Kyllikki articulates her mission with unwavering confidence, complemented by an 80s-inspired groove. The second chorus marks a significant elevation in the song’s energy, presenting a dynamic blend of dance and house elements that render it nearly impossible for listeners to remain stationary. The intertwining of synthesizers, arpeggios, and pads envelops the audience in a modern and timeless soundscape.

Kyllikki further distinguishes herself by introducing a playful rap segment, which infuses the composition with renewed vigor and highlights her artistic versatility. When listeners anticipate the song’s climax, she delivers an awe-inspiring vocal finale, showcasing her ability to navigate robust, emotive scales with remarkable skill.

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The lyrics are a compelling mantra encouraging embracing life’s positive experiences, inspiring listeners to “LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE.” Whether dancing in a private space or driving with the windows down, “Feel Good Vibes” fulfills its promise, uplifting and invigorating the audience.

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Produced by Rynellton and serving as the third single from her forthcoming album, ‘FREE SPIRITED,’ TaniA Kyllikki aptly demonstrates that positivity is perpetually relevant. Therefore, one is encouraged to engage with this work, allowing oneself to absorb its uplifting essence.

 

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For more information about TaniA Kyllikki, please visit [website]. 
CLICK HERE TO STREAM TaniA Kyllikki’s Feel Good Vibes on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH TaniA Kyllikki | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook |

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