The Days Sam Shinazzi Won't Forget
Sam Shinazzi’s DAYS I WON’T FORGET features the single Closing Time (with Katie Brianna) and is his 6th full-length album. Sam’s music has taken him across Australia and made multiple tours of the U.S. He’s also played alongside many of his heroes, including Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Lou Barlow, Buffalo Tom, The Mountain Goats, Evan Dando and Richmond Fontaine. Whilst ‘Days I Won’t Forget’ is a definite step forward in the evolution of Sam’s music and as an artist, there’s certainly advantages to be gained by looking back. We caught up with Sam to ask him about the new album, what it’s like to have your music in a feature film and the Travelling Medicine Show he is doing for Stanley Records.
For those that haven’t heard your music before , how would you describe the Sam Shinazzi sound?
Singer-songwriter vibes with a twangy edge to it; heavy on lyrical storytelling, matched with alt-country leanings.
You have just released your sixth album, Days I Won't Forget; are you surprised by the praise it has received so far?
It is always humbling to hear nice things about something you have put your heart into! So, in that sense it is always a surprise. But you do go into this kind of thing hoping for the best, wanting the people to enjoy what you have created. Any positive connections with listeners is a great thing.
What can fans expect from the new release?
Ten new songs about life. My life, your life and our world. Sounds captured beautifully by producer/engineer Michael Carpenter, and some lovely artwork from Kurt Sorensen.
The first single from the album is ;Closing Time; What can you tell us about your new track? What does the song mean to you?
It was one of the first songs written for the album, and essentially is about something coming to an end, and how we deal with these situations and how we feel about them. I knew I wanted it to be a country sounding ballad, and with Jy Perry Banks on pedal steel and Katie Brianna singing on it, I think we have achieved this.
Closing Time; features Katie Brianna as the female lead, how did this collaboration come about?
When writing this album I felt like it was going to need some female vocals specifically, I thought it would be a good match for them sonically and from the lyrical point of view as well I thought it would be important. I made a wish list and at the top, along with some other brilliant singers, was Katie Brianna. We have been friends socially for a while now, traveling in the same circle and it was just the perfect fit. I am a huge admirer of her singing and her songwriting, and she absolutely did amazing work; I am so grateful I was able to be there when she recorded her tracks, and I am beyond grateful she agreed to do so in the first place.
“ I love TV and film, so to hear my songs in such an artform is such a thrill”
Your track ;Wrote A Song For You;, also on this new album, featured in the acclaimed film ;Book Week; Was that a surreal moment for you, hearing your music in a feature film?
Yes! I love TV and film, so to hear my songs in such an artform is such a thrill. There is something about the closing credits as well, that was really special for me to hear. If anyone is interested in seeing the film, it is out there on a streaming service or two, and is a great film made by Heath Davis.
Are there any other songs off ;Days I Won't Forget; that are particularly special to you and if so why?
Tough question! They each hold a special place, and mean something to me; I don’t put songs on albums unless they are something I want to be out in the world forever. If I had to choose, I think for example a song like ‘Last Night Bruce Springsteen Saved My Life’ tells an important story, and in a slightly different style of writing for me, that I am really proud of. Or a song like ‘Kindred Spirits’ went from being an acoustic ballad into something much more sonic on the actual recording, so things like that I am really proud of. But I kind of like them all to be completely honest.
Are there plans to tour for the album?
Yes! We start in Tamworth at the Country Music Festival, then all of May we are touring the east coast. From there the plan is just to play as often as we can, where we can. We are open to bookings, people.
“I certainly recommend folks get out to the shows, we will be guesting on each other’s songs ”
Sam, you are also part of Stanley Records Travelling Medicine Show. Are you excited to be hitting the road with a bunch of likewise talented musicians?
I cannot wait! It is going to be so fun to be playing around with my music family; it will be challenging too, because they are all so good, so we need to be firing each and every time. I certainly recommend folks get out to the shows, we will be guesting on each other’s songs and there will be a pop up record store from Rudderless Records, so it will be a hoot each and every show.
Where was your first gig? Was it a success or flop?
My first solo show was a success! Fun, nerve-wracking and memorable. Somehow I supported Sneeze, which is Tom Morgan (Smudge) and Nic Dalton (Godstar, Lemonheads etc), both of whom I love as songwriters and people, and it was at the legendary Annandale Hotel. This was a big deal to me, and it was a great night. I played a bunch of songs which would end up on my debut album, and some covers too; I finished with ‘Thunder Road’ by Bruce Springsteen, which in hindsight, was ambitious to say the least! But it was great, and memorable.
Who do you credit as your musical influences?
I was, and am a huge fan of the alternative guitar scene in Boston in the mid-90s; bands like Buffalo Tom, Lemonheads and Dinosaur Jr really influenced the way I write, and I have refined that into my own style over the years but I count them as major influences. Locally, Smudge as well. Bands like Wilco as well as artists like Elliott Smith and Bonnie Prince Billy were also huge for me at the time. But ultimately the artist I have loved the most, for the longest time, is Bruce Springsteen. And at times maybe people can’t hear that, and at times I think they can, but I have always loved him and his ethics and attitude.
What’s been the highlight in your career so far personally? And why?
There’s been a lot of highlights, but the two things I think of are connecting with an audience (whether a listener or someone physically at a show), and playing with artists who I love, who have shaped me musically or moved me at least. So, getting to play shows with Buffalo Tom, Evan Dando, Lou Barlow, The Mountain Goats, Bonnie Prince and a bunch more is just an unbelievable feeling, because I was the young guy in my room listening to them on my headphones. So, to play to their audience, to get to spend some time with them as people, is a real honour.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
They all do! Dave Favours runs Stanley Records and without him I am not doing this interview right now. Jo Corbett does the publicity and is great to work with. Areatha Bryant has been helping me play shows as a booker for a while now, and is the best. Michael Carpenter made the record and shot the video for ‘Closing Time’ and is a legend. My band of Graeme Trewin, Adam T-Bone Taylor and Dave Hatt rule the world. Guest musicians like Jy-Perry Banks, Katie Brianna and Bruno Brayovic (Buddy Glass) are all talented artists in their own right. Kurt Sorensen took the album photos and is one of the best photographers in the country. Dan Stanely Freeman is a great designer who put all our art together. They are all Team Shinazzi and I thank them for that. Each of them are great humans too I should point out.
What's next for Sam Shinazzi? What can we expect for the remainder of 2022?
We want to play as much as we can. We want to promote this album we are so proud of, for Stanley Records. So however we can do that, we will be doing that!
Tour Dates
FRIDAY, MAY 6 - THE CHIPPO, SYDNEY*
SATURDAY, MAY 7 - LINK & PIN, WOY WOY (FREE)
SATURDAY, MAY 14 - STAG & HUNTER*
SUNDAY, MAY 15 - BRASS MONKEY, CRONULLA
SATURDAY, MAY 21- ROYAL HOTEL, DUNGOG
SUNDAY, MAY 22 - THE JUNKYARD, MAITLAND (FREE)
SATURDAY, MAY 28 – LULIE TAVERN, MELBOURNE (FREE)
SUNDAY, MAY 29 – PISTOL PETE’S, GEELONG
*WITHOUT KATIE BRIANNA
Interview by Michelle Symes
April 2022