THE SCENE: 'After-school job' to main stage at Rhythm & Vines

"I was a terrible singer in my early years of playing but I was pretty determined to be able to sing and play. I played live in public for the first time at Marist Rugby Club when I was 11."

Sam Cullen.

In this week’s THE SCENE profile we quiz Sam Cullen on his music journey to date, his music influences, and share with you a song of his that’s special to him.

ARTIST: Sam Cullen

• What's your style of music?

It’s pretty common these days to blur the lines between pop and rock but I’d like to think I lean a little more to the latter. My main influences are Bruce Springsteen, The Killers and that sort of world. I was also raised on 80s music so that’s probably influenced my songwriting and production a fair bit too.

• Tell us about your music journey, where did it start?

I started playing the guitar when I was seven so I was fairly early to the party. I had a primary school teacher who would play us songs on the guitar to take a break from subjects like maths so that was my first inspiration to have a crack.

I was a terrible singer in my early years of playing but I was pretty determined to be able to sing and play. I played live in public for the first time at Marist Rugby Club when I was 11 and started playing regular solo gigs at Blues, Marist, and pubs, restaurants, and events from about 15.

This was essentially my after-school job until I left home. The more gigs I played, the better I became at singing and writing music which I started doing at the same time. This started with GarageBand, a guitar, and a microphone in my bedroom.

I released my first song ’Small Town’ (written about Invercargill obviously) at 17 and toured the lower South Island that same year as a one-man band.

During my last year of high school, I made it to the SmokefreeRockquest national final which was my first excursion for my own music outside of Southland/Otago.

That was a huge moment for me, especially to get the warm reception that I did so far away from home. After school I studied music in Wellington at Victoria University. During these years I had some cool milestones such as releasing two EP’s and playing the main stage at Rhythm & Vines. I’m now based in Auckland where I’m playing a lot of gigs and making tons of music with some cool people.

• Who have been your music influences?

Early on it was whatever Mum and Dad thought would be good songs to play at gigs. I’d have to say their suggestions were generally pretty spot on.

When I started making music, Ed Sheeran was the benchmark but properly discovering Bruce Springsteen when I was eighteen was the biggest turning point for sure.

If it wasn’t for his music, a lot of the other bands and artists that I like now probably wouldn’t exist as they do today so that driving rock/pop line is my happy place.

• What does the creative process look like when it comes to you writing songs?

It’s always different but I’ve aimed to get more collaborative with it over the last few years. Working with others can often bring out the best material.

Other times I will work on a song to the best of my ability at home (writing, producing, mixing) and then flick it on to a small group of people who’s opinion I’m keen to get. In terms of the actual song, the ones that are written the fastest or solely on one instrument are often the best. 

• What's been the most enjoyable gig where you have performed your own songs?

Playing the main stage at Rhythm & Vines on New Years Eve in 2020 still comes to mind. Pretty crazy experience. I’ve just started playing with a five-piece backing band though so I’d imagine we’re about to have some fun times together.

• What song have you attached for The Southland Tribune audience to listen to?

My most recent song ‘Forever’ which came out on May 19. There’s a music video for your eyes too!

• How did that song come about, and why is it so special for you?

This one came about in the first writing session I’d ever done with producer Ben Malone and songwriter/artist Harry Parsons (aka the artist MACEY). I was pretty chuffed to have this team as I adore what Ben and Harry do.

We wrote the song in an hour on acoustic guitars. This one is special as it came with a lot of ‘firsts’ for me.

My first release of 2023, my first time being in a writing team larger than two, my first time working with Ben and Harry, and my first time having my incredible live band in a music video.

More content from The SCENE (A partnership between MASSAV Productions and The Southland Tribune):

• Arun O’Connor’s music journey.

• From SIT to the formation of Filth Wizard

• Jenny Mitchell: A music journey that started in the family home

• Lachie Hayes: 'I didn't discover music as much as it discovered me