Samantha Loveridge has already had a jam-packed year, following the release of her massively successful ‘Losing My Religion’ rework in April, which garnered support from tastemakers such as Black Coffee, Jimi Jules, and Rüfüs Du Sol. We sat down with her to discuss her upcoming EP, ‘Beka’, on Get Physical Music as well as production set ups and musical inspirations.
Samantha Loveridge - Interview
Hello Samantha, thanks for chatting to Minimal Mag. How has your year been so far?
Hey! Thank you for having me. 2023 has been a rollercoaster so far. Personally, I’ve gone through a lot of change, which has been challenging. Musically, I’ve achieved things I used to dream about and I’m still wrapping my head around. The two have overlapped which is reflected in the music I’ve been making and this outlet has kept me occupied which I’m grateful for. It’s been an overwhelming and surreal year so far which I’ve been taking day by day.
Although you already have four releases out this year, you actually took a break from music not that long ago. What was it that convinced you to pick it back up?
Yeah, the competitor in me hates to say it but before moving to Sydney I decided to “quit” producing music. Every time I was alone with my laptop I felt too much pressure to produce something that would help better my DJ career and nothing I made felt good enough. Over time it had a negative effect on my mental health and I found myself in a really dark place. I decided to stop pursuing music and saw the move as an opportunity to focus on improving my wellbeing. But, the universe works in mysterious ways! And thanks to COVID I had a lot of free time on my hands, so I needed something to keep me busy. I decided to open up Ableton again and ended up producing the best music I’ve ever made! Turns out that with no pressure or expectations that can happen but more importantly, I’m enjoying it 🙂
What can you tell us about your upcoming release, ‘Beka’ on Get Physical Music?
Off the back of Losing My Religion, it was clear from both sides that Get Physical and I wanted to continue working together. They asked me if I had any original music to follow up with and conveniently enough, I had Beka ready to go. Beka was inspired by simple yet effective drums and catchy melodies I was hearing in popular Afro House tracks. The intention was to collaborate with a vocalist and give them free rein on the track by allowing them the space to be creative, which Lizwi executes beautifully. Beka means ‘to put all your trust into a higher power and the journey’. There is a plan for us all.
How was it collaborating with Lizwi on the track? Have you two worked together before this record?
Lizwi and I have never collaborated before but doing so has been such a positive experience. She’s amazing and ridiculously talented! If I were to sum our collaboration up in three words they would be: inspiring, professional and effortless.
When you sit down to make music, do you need to be in a specific place or are you happy making a track anywhere?
Much to people’s surprise I don’t have a studio or any equipment. Actually, only recently I purchased a pair of Sennheiser 600’s and a sound card off the back of peer pressure from a friend and I don’t use them as much as I should. I’m a tennis coach and work long days so I make the majority of my music during my break. Due to this the cafe at my work has become my comfortable space but I’m happy to make music anywhere.
What is it about the music you produce that satisfies your creative drive?
I don’t actually see myself as a creative person. I love music but find it very hard to make. I’m not one of these people it comes naturally to, I have to really apply myself and a lot of the time I end up spending hours but making nothing. However, I’m passionate about it and like how it challenges me which motivates me to keep going.
Your tracks tend to have musical influences from around the world, ranging from the Middle-east to Africa. What draws you to using these sounds and textures in your records?
I love the fact that music can connect you with people from all over the world and give you the opportunity to travel and explore new cultures. I’m drawn to the instruments each culture uses especially the percussion, it inspires me and the groove of my tracks.
As well as producing you run two labels, Inward Records and Tortuga Tribes. What are the different aims for each of these labels? Inward records is owned by Pippi Ciez and provides a platform for artists to showcase the best Afro and Organic Music. Tortuga Tribes is owned by Sparrow & Barbosa and focuses on a new emerging sound called ‘Caribbean House’, inspired heavily from Venezuela.
If you had to single out one track or album that has led to you pursuing a career in music, which record would you pick?
It would be my Mum’s favourite song, Chaka Khan – Ain’t Nobody.
Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?
Gig wise I’m heading to Morocco for the first time which I’m really excited about! Followed by Burning Man which I’m even more excited about!! Then it’s off to Melbourne for an Anomaly takeover at Goodroom, Return To Rio Festival and The Fan Club here in Sydney. Production wise, I have two collaborations with Dukokar coming out on an ADE sampler with My Other Side Of The Moon and a remix for Get Physical. That’s all I plan to release for the rest of the year. I want to focus on making music and collaborating with others for 2024 in hope of building on the success of 2023.
Samantha Loveridge - Links
Get in touch with us!