Interview & Article by Brittany Ormiston

Singer-songwriter Sam Short is an honest queen, mental health advocate, and viral sensation on TikTok. Her newest single ‘I Wouldn’t Love Me’ is her most personal song yet with soul-baring lyricism surrounding her mental health. It is mainly written from the perspective of her partner, and them being “the better half.” “I Wouldn’t Love Me is basically about feeling like a burden in a relationship because you have issues,” shares Sam. Most of the lyrics are conversational, however Sam’s favorite lyric is poetic and emphasizes how she views that version of herself. “I'm the cracks in the paint // You're the color that stays // I'm the time that you waste // And I don't know why,” sings Sam in the second verse. The blunt lyricism has resonated with listeners on a deeper level, and they have opened up to Sam about their own struggles.

The number of long, lengthy messages Sam receives daily from fans and individuals who have recently come across her music continues to take her breath away. Releasing a song that was not surface-level was quite the risk, yet Sam is quickly realizing the positive impact ‘I Wouldn’t Love Me’ has had. Sam took the song’s message a bit further with a lyric video. It has a vintage feel, and details a narrative alongside the song similar to Lana Del Rey’s early visuals. Sam edited the video entirely herself, and her friend Christina filmed each clip while conveying a retro style. Sam’s vision for the video did not include a grand production, but she wanted it to be “ultra personal.” The video shows the camera zooming in on her, and drawing attention to her facial expressions and body language. Sam let the song speak for itself, and therefore viewers can paint their own pictures of what the song means to them.

Similar to ‘I Wouldn’t Love Me,’ Sam’s forthcoming debut project dropping in August continues with themes of being “brutal, intimate, and cheeky.” Sam’s clever lyricism is scattered throughout, and keeps listeners on their toes. The new EP is a blend of alt-pop and folk to add to the mix. Throughout the creation process, Sam tapped into her roots and pulled inspiration from growing up in Oregon and artists she listened to in high school. Organic artists such as Stevie Nicks, Noah Cyrus, Bon Iver, and Fleetwood Mac helped pave the way for Sam as she determined who she wanted to be as an artist. Despite her upbringing, when Sam first moved to LA she was only making pop music. After performing this music on tour with ELIO this past spring, Sam had a revelation and determined pop music was not in the cards for her. Witnessing ELIO’s ability to dabble in several genres and bouts of self-reflection, Sam began to craft music from the heart and soul. As a result, Sam’s new body of work was born.

Sam is eagerly anticipating her EP release date, the release show, and supporting artists on a few fall tours. She plans to “wrap up this era and move on to the next” while also traveling and spending more time in places. Sam spent a month in New York recently, and learned more than she could have imagined. “I really realized how much being uncomfortable inspires really good art,” mentions Sam. Seizing the day and going out into the world will provide Sam with much to write about. She can channel the energy of those around her, and write about experiences other than her own. The result of being receptive and having an open mind will certainly be a valuable asset to Sam’s future album as well. As her journey continues, Sam plans to be in the moment more often and keep her mental health and the mental health of others top priority. “Check in with yourself. Take care of yourself and be proactive, especially with your mental health,” advises Sam. She is keeping it real in all aspects from her songwriting to her social media content. Sam’s authenticity and vulnerability certainly has us all hooked for good.

Sam Short

Maddy Davis

nobody likes you pat