Sam Pounds(I)

Sam Pounds appreciates artists who can travel within music and explore different genres. The soulful rock singer/multi-instrumentalist is very much in the same vein. Raised in Durham, North Carolina, he grew up with church music, R&B, and rock 'n' roll. His journey to L.A. and London as a producer for artists like Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg has also led him through the worlds of modern pop, drill, and Afrobeat sounds. And with the release of his debut album Don't Forget Where You Came From, Sam Pounds is ready to show the world how the paths he's walked have led to this breakthrough moment as a solo artist. The eight tracks on this inaugural release through The Penthouse / Sumerian Records are an artistic roadmap to Sam's world. Multiple song tracks bristle with gritty, bluesy sounds. "Amen" marries the emotional buoyancy of gospel with funky guitar licks, "I Can Tell You Been Drinkin'" channels old-school country vibes, and "South Real Quick" serves up a catchy hard rock anthem. While one can certainly groove to the party-hearty vibes of a tune like "Good Spirits" there are also tinges of regret over getting in trouble or taking some things too far. It's a theme that runs throughout many of these new songs, like when as a young man this pastor's son was always chasing after a local "Preacher's Daughter". Between that latter song and the title track, Sam paints a picture of the "duality that we all have to deal with from day to day," he says. "The good guy that is thankful for the upbringing, and the bad guy that gets into trouble. The project of angels and demons, man, that's what that is." Sam grew up in a devout, churchgoing family that adored music. He even played drums and keyboards for his church group when he was a teen. His Grandma Ruth propelled him into a singing career before he even knew he had one. Starting when he was five, she would make him perform for friends and family every Sunday, and she would also critique each performance, whether it was a specific note, the way he sang, or finding the right home for his talent. "It helped me hone into a sound that was right for my voice," the singer recalls. While playing basketball for Barton College, Sam also studied audio technology and became immersed in producing, programming, and learning how to conjure the studio sounds he desired. Among his influences is Prince who inspired him to take up different instruments and tackle studio duties - in other words, he performs, records, and produces a lot of the songs you have been hearing. In 2013, after graduating with a degree from Barton (and sporting a lot of new tattoos), Sam performed and produced various musical acts in the North Carolina area. He said he long felt like a "vocal orphan" as he didn't see many people of color doing rock music with the exception of icons like Lenny Kravitz. Circumstances improved when he migrated to L.A. in 2019. He landed a weekly residency at Black Rabbit Rose where he has since performed over 200 shows. He also

performed some shows at Delilah (Drake's club), which on different nights drew in onlookers like Sam Smith, Wiz Khalifa, and Madonna. Beyonce once held court in the back room and ventured out to admire Pounds' cover of "A Man's World". Movie star and singer Jamie Foxx also showed up. "He invited me to his house for a party," reports Sam. "Then he realized I produced, and we've been working together ever since." Some of their aural adventures have taken Sam to England. While recording soundtrack cuts for the Netflix movie Back In Action with Foxx at a mansion on "Billionaire's Row" in London, they set up a performance space with two sets of drums, guitar, bass, and keyboards. Once they were done with the movie work, and right before Sam was heading back to L.A., Foxx set up a special night for him. "It was the intimate setting of all the UK executives at Virgin Music in this big mansion with me, Foxx, his team, and mine," recalls Sam. "And I'm presenting the record that's about to be released live. It was a moment that I'll never forget. It was when both worlds - my artists world and the people that I produce for - came together. My artistry and everything finally just made so much sense. That was probably my favorite performance moment, in a mansion on Bishop's Avenue." Beyond Don't Forget Where You Came From, Sam has recorded more new tunes including a cover of the angst-ridden Bad Omens song "Just Pretend". His intense rendition of the #1 Billboard Rock Charting tune has impressed fans of the original and let's rip with some metal screams you don't traditionally hear from an artist that looks like Pounds. In fact, the singer says this is his natural sonic progression and more will be revealed later this year as he continues to tinker in the recording studio around the clock. But first, he wants fans to hear where it all came from exposing his rock, blues, soul, and country roots. While he certainly has a knack for modern production, Sam also has a fondness for the era analog. His studio has 30 analog keyboards with no preset options. He loves his keytar. And he says his next album will be heavily influenced by the '80s and a retro Daft Punk vibe in "a futuristic, vintage, analog situation." It's been a wild ride for the pastor's son from Durham, North Carolina. Sam is aware and grateful of all the opportunities that have come his way, and he's going to take advantage of the experience he had built up when he does a full-scale tour of the US and UK in 2024. After restricted or online performances during Covid lockdown, he's ready to get out there in a big way. "I tell people, until you see me perform live, you haven't seen me," declares Sam, who is psyched to bring his fresh music to new ears. "Because there's that other thing that happens within the room. I'm doing what's necessary for that specific audience, right there in that moment. I call it intuitive performing. So, within the landscape of your performance, you're doing certain things that are necessary to connect because it's always gonna be a different room no matter where you at. If I feel something spontaneous needs to happen right here, let's all flow and let's go into it. Let's do it." Sam Pounds certainly won't forget where he came from, and he's also laser-focused on where's going. Don't Forget Where You Came From is just the beginning of a bold career.