From Garden Studio to Glastonbury: The Journey of Sam Evans

Step into the vibrant world of Sam Evans, a musician whose decade-long journey through the UK and European music scenes has been marked by electrifying performances and heartfelt songwriting. With nearly 1000 shows under his belt and a captivating blend of soul, pop, and rock, Sam has enchanted audiences at iconic venues like The 100 Club and O2 Academy Bristol, and graced stages at renowned festivals including Glastonbury and Boomtown.

Now, as he balances fatherhood with his musical ambitions, Sam is diving into a new chapter from his DIY garden studio, where he's crafting his forthcoming releases with an intimate touch. His latest single, "How We Should Be Loved," has already garnered buzz from BBC Introducing, showcasing his unique ability to forge deep connections with listeners.

Join us as we delve into Sam Evans' remarkable journey, his evolution as an artist, and the exciting new phase of his career as he prepared for his Glastonbury Festival set, which was truly incredible.

1. With such a diverse range of musical influences, from soul to rock and pop, how do you approach blending these genres in your songwriting and production process to create your signature sound?

My current process often involves the song evolving from a guitar melody in the moment. My voice and lyrics provide a consistent thread across my music, aiming for depth and meaning in my songwriting. Collaborating with a band over the past decade has significantly shaped my sound, with each member's musical background influencing our collective style. Our collaborative efforts in performing and recording together have moulded the direction of my music.

2. Your experience performing across the UK and Europe, and sharing stages with artists like Mike Love and Rae Morris, must have been enriching. Can you share a standout moment or lesson learned from these experiences that has influenced your music career?

A standout moment was when I had the opportunity to support Hawaiian reggae star Mike Love. Interacting with him was truly memorable, he was so incredibly talented at singing , playing guitar, a true master at his craft… yet he was humble and genuinely seemed interested in connecting with me and the people I was with. Towards the end of the night, I asked him for any advice as an unsigned musician with a small following. His response was simple yet profound: 'All you gotta do is keep going.' This advice resonates with me, success isn't always consistent for musicians but don't stop and things will grow.

3. Being selected as one of the final six bands to compete in the Pilton Stage Finals is an incredible achievement. How has the journey to this point prepared you and your band for this opportunity, and what would performing at Glastonbury Festival mean to you? (asked before performance)

My band and I have been performing gigs together since our school days. From saxophones to drum kits, backing singers and electric guitars, the band has evolved over the years, now with a top quality rhythm section, Wilf Blomfield - Drums, Ben Carver - Bass Guitar, and two musicians still from the original school band, Jonny Turner - Electric Guitar, Sam Evans - Vocals & Guitar. The songs have taken me to around 1000 gigs and I've put in so many hours into performing on stage. Making it to the finals was a rewarding milestone for us. However, a dream achievement would be to perform with my full band at the prestigious Glastonbury Festival. While I have previously performed there solo, the thought of bringing our collective sound to such an incredible event is such an exciting opportunity. Glastonbury is close to my hometown, and now residing just 7 miles away, for that reason the opportunity to showcase our band at this festival holds an even greater place in my heart

4. Balancing fatherhood with a music career is no small feat. How has becoming a father influenced your music and creative process, and what motivated you to set up a DIY garden recording studio?

Becoming a father has its rewards, and the joy of having a daughter adds a new depth to my singing and performing. The emotions feel amplified especially when I'm playing my music. I used to have my recording set-up in the room where Ella now sleeps. Now, I have a small studio at my at bottom of my garden, it became a DIY project to keep costs low, by doing it with the guidance of my tradesmen friends and super father in-law Mark (who is also great musician) I have a nice warm cosy recording studio ready for my 4 piece band. It was here that I recorded 'How We Should Be Loved.' I aim to release more music from this studio, keeping costs low to continue sharing my music.

5. Your track "How We Should Be Loved" has garnered attention from BBC Introducing in the South West. Could you share the inspiration behind this song and your collaboration with Devon singer-songwriter Deano?

This song goes back 12 years or more, like several of my songs, they flowed through me at the time, without a clear inspiration. This particular song had been lingering in my repertoire for years, lacking a second verse. I turned to Facebook to seek assistance from fellow singers, songwriters, or lyricists. Deano, who had shown interest in my music through comments on videos and songs, reached out. It was a perfect match, and he added his vocals to the track, which I then recorded with my band. The experience of collaborating with someone, producing the song in my studio and getting this recognition has been very inspiring.