Muse Encounters: Sam i | DJ, Producer, Composer & Director

With creativity in his genes, friend of Váhy, Sam i, is renowned for his pursuits as DJ, producer, composer and director. A Grammy nominated creator of boundless talent!

Sam i not only is an incredible artist in his own right, having recently released the stand out hit Fire Sign but he is the founder and ECD of Squeak E Clean Studios. He has worked with fellow artists Kayne West, Wutang Clan, Sia and Doja Cat, amongst many others. In addition, he has worked on a creative level with director Jean-Paul Goude for the major fashion houses including Chanel and Hermes.

We caught up with Sam i to chat about his current work, which creative outlet gives him the most fulfilment and the memories he has that are tied to scent.

You’ve been very successful in so many different creative areas including producing, directing, composing music and visual media. What gives you the most creative fulfilment? 

I really enjoying all these different mediums, and I find it very fulfilling to jump around. I’m currently coming to a point of finishing up a film script, and I haven’t been in music mode for awhile. In the meantime, I’ve been stacking up all of these ideas for music, and I can’t wait to get into the studio to execute. It’s nice to have the variety and the ability to switch lanes when I’m feeling stuck or like doing something different. Directing stuff around my own music is particularly satisfying, because I’m able to execute creatively on so many levels. 

Your latest project, Fire Sign, is an absolute masterpiece. Can you tell us a bit more about this song and the inspiration?

Fire Sign was a song written between the hours of 2-5am at a really fun, rowdy session in Nashville with Shmuck the Loyal at Micky Ekko’s studio. We were so stoked and inspired, and it all flew together before we even realized what we had. I couldn’t figure out the video for many months until suddenly, one day, the entire video popped into my head at once, starting with the opening shot.

What project or initiative that you’ve been involved with are you most proud of?

This is a hard question to answer. I’m so proud of so many things I’ve made. I’m really excited about this TRY project that I’m rolling out with Shmuck right now. I love the music, and I’m really enjoying all of the visuals and creative direction around the music.

What gives you the most joy?

I think my happiest moments are being lost in a creative flow.

What nostalgic memory do you have that is most tied to scent?

So many. I feel like the olfactory is the sense most tied to memory. I remember a pizza place I used to go to when I was a little kid and exactly what it smelled like. I remember exactly what this he-man action figure I had smelled like. I remember the way my first love’s pillow smelled.

What type of personal fragrance do you like to wear? (here we would like to know about the scent style or favourite fragrance notes rather than brands

I tend to like more woody scents. I love the smell of hinoki.

Discover more about Sam i here.