Music
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.
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.
“‘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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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Adrie ft. Rulo evokes the groove-soaked rhythmic vibe with her debut single “Bring Back the Light”
Adrie’s thought-provoking vibe, “Bring Back the Light,” establishes a sonically vivid kaleidoscope that encapsulates vitality and skillfully merges energetic Afrobeat rhythms and funk-oriented guitar melodies with the soulful combination of English and Spanish lyrics. The debut single from her upcoming concept album bursts forth as a significant representation of artistic innovation. The audacious collaboration with Chilean artist Rulo, recognized for his proficiency in Latin funk and hip-hop roots, infuses the track with a layer of vibrant authenticity.
The song’s heartbeat is firmly rooted in Afrobeat, establishing a dynamic rhythm that engages listeners from the outset. The funk guitar elements interlace throughout the composition, contributing a timeless energy. Additionally, the bilingual lyrics transition seamlessly between English and Spanish, reflecting Adrie’s diverse cultural heritage. This linguistic interplay underscores the overarching theme of the track: the complex relationship between light and darkness on both societal and personal levels.
Drawing inspiration from the surreal narrative of the television series ‘Twin Peaks,’ Adrie and Rulo explore the equilibrium between fear and hope. The lyrics are imbued with emotional depth, articulating Adrie’s battle with anxiety and her desire to foster positivity. Nevertheless, the overall composition rises above the melancholy theme, characterized by an uplifting rhythm and celebratory tone, encouraging listeners to engage intellectually, contemplate profoundly, and participate physically through dance.
“Bring Back the Light” aims to illuminate these pressing issues and inspire proactive engagement. It is a poignant reminder that even amidst personal or societal challenges, there’s a rhythm in life to celebrate and a spark waiting to be ignited. This represents Adrie at her most creative, and with Rulo’s distinctive flair, the outcome is a dance-floor anthem characterized by both heartfelt and meaningful. Listeners are invited to increase the volume and allow the music to uplift and brighten their spirits.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Adrie’s “Bring Back the Light“ on Spotify.
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Album Review
“Big Colored Lights” EP Premier by Katie Curley delivers a sonic snow globe of heartfelt holiday memories
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Katie Curley brings a fresh glow to the holiday season with her new EP, “Big Colored Lights.” This spellbinding collection comprises seven original tracks that seamlessly integrate Curley’s honky-tonk personal sensibilities with sophisticated sonic artistry, characterized by her gift for evocative storytelling. Recorded at Cowboy Technical Services under the skillful production expertise of Eric “Roscoe” Ambel (known for his work with Sarah Borges and the Bottle Rockets), the EP is a testament to Curley’s decade-long commitment to creating one Christmas-inspired song yearly. The resultant work offers a kaleidoscope of nostalgia, resilience, and the transformative power of music that extends beyond conventional holiday cheer.
“Big Colored Lights” invites listeners on an emotional odyssey, commencing with the poignant opener, “Christmastime Therapy,” which artfully navigates the bittersweet realities of family gatherings complemented by Curley’s crystalline vocals. The expressive piano work accompaniment by Rob Clores sets the stage for a heartfelt meditation on holiday complexities.
Subsequently, the soulful track “Closing In On December“ follows, featuring Mark Spencer’s pedal steel, which infuses the song with a timeless warmth. Meanwhile, the title track, “Big Colored Lights,” paints a vivid tribute to Curley’s childhood memories of her grandfather’s dazzling holiday decorations in the woods of Washington.
Curley’s versatility is evident in “A Very Texas Christmas,” a modern take on classic holiday melodies that blends emotive guitar strumming with rhythmic piano chords. “Extra Happy Holidays“ delivers a buoyant exploration of new relationships, celebrating the optimism intrinsic to joyful festivities.
Infusing a touch of country flair, “Shotgun Wedding In Bethlehem“ reimagines the nativity narrative, enhanced by the gorgeous angelic harmonies from fellow artists Drina Seay and Shanelle Jenkins. The EP closes on a high note with “New Year’s Too,” a soul-stirring duet with powerhouse vocalist Lizzie Edwards that profoundly impacts the listener.
Katie Curley’s “Big Colored Lights” transcends the limitations of typical holiday tunes, offering deep reflections on shifting landscapes, cherished traditions, and the unyielding pursuit of light in life’s darker moments. Supported by her core band, including her husband Brendan Curley on guitar, Max Newland on bass, and Kenny Soule on drums, the EP resonates with authenticity and warmth. This EP is essential listening for those seeking revelatory holiday charm with meaningful and uplifting music that promises to light up the heart and soul. Set to become a treasured addition to festive playlists, “Big Colored Lights” solidifies Katie Curley’s emerging status as an enchanting voice within Brooklyn’s music scene.
For more information about Katie Curley, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Katie Curley’s EP “Big Colored Lights“ on Spotify.
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