Sam Robbins is a folk meets pop singer-songwriter hailing from New England. The creator has found a dedicated fanbase with his heartfelt and introspective releases as well as his dynamic live performances. The guitar virtuoso and acclaimed songwriter just shared his new album So Much I Still Don't See, a 10 track musical envelopment highlighting his rich and warm vocals over seductive guitar picking and rhythms.
Highlights include the song "The Real Thing", a contemplation on over commercialization and the perils of big corporations. Robbins' storytelling is on full display as the listener is taken right to the hooters parking lot and elevators, while they yearn for something simpler in nature. Then there is "What A Little Love Can Do", the most pop song on the album. The radio worthy song is complete with lush piano, stacked guitars, and a hooky chorus that lingers. Perhaps the strongest song on the album is"Piles of Sand" where Robbins writes a song just with him and his guitar, leaning into a theme of stoicism. Overall, So Much I Still Don't See is a contemplative listen that catapults him as one of America’s most quietly brilliant songwriters.
We chat with the prolific artist all about his 45,000 miles of touring, his new album, lucky charms and more. The result is an enticing read sure to bring the readers into the world of this talented artist.
Congratulations on your new album So Much I Still Don't See. Can you tell our readers more about the themes found in the new album?
Thank you!! I’m really happy it’s finally out in the world. The album is really meant to be an uplifting project… it’s an album written from little moments that I’ve picked up from the past few years on the road. Being with that many people, passing through so many towns and different cultures really, honestly, restored my faith in humanity! I want that to shine through.
There were themes found in stoicism also, with songs like “All So Important”, “Piles of Sand” directly touch on this concept. So much of this album was written from the idea that we are only here for a passing moment, that we are all just grains of sand… don’t take it all so seriously! Something I try and often fail to live by…
How does So Much I Still Don't See musically differ from your previous releases?
I am so proud of all of my past releases, but I will say that So Much I Still Don’t See feels like a big step up… I was lucky enough to work with Seth Glier, a great songwriter and singer, as producer on this project, and he brought a lot to it. We worked together very closely over 9+ months to really edit the songs and find a vision for the album together… I think that’s why it feels very cohesive as compared to my other albums. It feels like… a real ALBUM, if that makes sense!
Who did you collaborate on the new album and what did they bring?
As I wrote above, Seth Glier was an amazing producer and collaborator. He really took my ideas, which had been honed for live performance, and helped to shape them into a cohesive album. He also brought in Reed Sutherland as the “catch-all” player, and his voice as a player is HUGE in the album. My voice and guitar parts were all recorded live, but we decided to add in Reed on upright bass to play live with me as the baseline tracks for all songs.
Having Reed there as an anchor sonically was huge. He really allowed me to settle into the groove of each song as I recorded, which really helped to give the album it’s kind of bouncy feel.
I also collaborated with my fiancée Halley Neal, who sang background vocals on all tracks and also is my duet partner in the last song – a cover of The Beatles’ “I Will”. We’re singing that song at our wedding too!
Do you have a favorite song on the album and if so what is it and why?
I think my favorite song might be “All So Important” – it was such a fun example of the collaboration that drove the album. The song started as a slow, soft chorus, with a few mumbles of a verse… Seth encouraged me to try to finish it and told me that we should try to “do it like a Buddy Holly song!”, and I wasn’t sure!
But we completely changed it up and worked it out in the studio as a fun, upbeat, rocking song. There were key changes, breakdowns, the whole thing… I just loved how it turned out, and it was completely different from what I could’ve imagined.
Which city have you not performed in that is on your list of a must play?
I would love to go the northwest! I’ve never been to Seattle or Portland and would love to explore there… I grew up in the Northeast and I’d love to feel how different the vibe is in the northwest.
Do you have any lucky charms or unique items you bring on tour and if so what are they and why?
When I turned 17 or 18, my uncle, who has always been a HUGE supporter of me, gave me some kind of Chinese coin that he said “is supposed to bring you luck or something”. I’ve kept it in my guitar case ever since!
What is currently on your playlist?
I’ve been loving The Weepies! I had never really dug into their music before this year. I’ve been loving listening and trying to write more music that is… easy, if that makes sense. I think sometimes when you’re a singer-songwriter, it’s easy to get stuck in your head and write songs that are too complex. I feel like that is something that I achieved with this album – some songs were severely edited, which when I look back now, really adds to the cohesive quality of the album.
What is next for Sam Robbins?
I just got off the road from my biggest tour yet! I’m off the road for the next month or so, and I’m getting married in May! That’s a big one, and then a big Summer is on the way. I’ll be on the most festival stages I’ve ever been on, which is really exciting. I’ll be trying to take a little more time off in between too, planning for a big Fall on the road with this new album… can’t wait!
Connect with Sam Robbins: INSTAGRAM
