Sam Swancot Zine , Spreads

DARKUS
S A M S W A N C O T T
EDITORIAL NOTE
For this showcase edition we are honoured to welcome
Cheltenham based singer-songwriter, Sam Swancott.
The past number of months has been a period where Sam has
really continued to grow in confidence and embrace her evolution
as an artist, which as you can imagine has caught the attention of
those within her local music scene, and further afield too.
Having recently released her latest single, ‘Karma’ we invite you
to join us as we celebrate the journey of one of the exciting new
names in music around.
CREDITS
Editor In Chief
Photography &
Graphic Design
Photo Assist
Thank You To
Thushara S Chandrasiri
Luke James Court
Olivia Checkley
Sam Swancott
W W W . D A R K U S M A G A Z I N E . C O M
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I N S T A G R A M : @ D A R K U S M A G A Z I N E
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Credits
Photography & Graphic design:
Luke James Court
@lukejamescourt
“You have to pretend you’re a popstar, and it works...
people can tell you really believe in yourself.”
Photo Assist:
Olivia Checkley
@Ads.andmore
Article | Luke James Court | @lukejamescourt
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Up-and-coming singer songwriter Sam Swancott,
23, is breaking out onto the southwest music scene. I
sat down with Sam to discuss the inspiration behind
her newest track ‘Karma’, described as a fusion
of contemporary R&B and Soul influences, with a
funky pop production. Her latest gig performing at
Cheltenham’s iconic Frog & Fiddle music venue,
and some of the challenges she has overcome since
starting music.
Describing her sound as ‘Falling into R&B and Sole,
maybe with some pop elements in there’ Swancott
finds inspiration for her sound being drawn from
old school, female fronted, powerhouse musicians.
Artists like Aretha Franklin, the Ronettes and Amy
Winehouse, Swancott describes as ‘Constant’
inspirations for her sound. “I feel like you can
really feel the sass and empowerment from
them, and I really, really enjoy that”
When asked about contemporary influences on the
track, Swancott describes RAYE as a huge source
inspiration for ‘Karma’s production:
“Definitely RAYE, because her album must have
come out a couple of months before we started
recording. I think I listened to [RAYE’s album]
My 21st Century Blues, on repeat, every single
day for months... My producer (@reyamusiic)
was also very much in her RAYE stage, so as
soon as I said I wanted to do something in this vibe
she was like, yes absolutely let’s do it!”
We discussed the images and videos seen across her
social media platforms promoting the song, and the idea
behind the social media campaign for the song:
“The song is about getting cheated on, and instead of
getting angry and slashing your ex’s tires, you are
just trusting that karma will take it’s course. The
lyrics in the song are ‘love’s a game, do you wanna
play?’ We wanted to play with some of those lyrics
and pull out some of that imagery. So, we played
some pool, we went bowling, we went to the arcade,
played Pac Man. We did loads! We kind of went for
a 90’s theme by accident, but yeah that was really
fun!” - @samswancott on Instagram.
Having recently pieced together a band to support her
during live performances, the “Nothing in Common”
singer spoke on how gigging is her main plan for 2024.
Having taken a break from performing for a year and a
half, Sam’s return to the stage took place at Cheltenham’s
iconic Frog and Fiddle. Her pervious works such as
“Infidelity” and “Indie boy back” opened the show, as the
crowed began to fill towards the back of the venue. With
the final song of the setlist being ‘Karma’s’ live debut.
Swancott was met with a room full of bobbing heads
and tapping feet as the crowd reacted to her return to
performing with excitement.
“I said to myself I’m not going to do another gig
until I feel ready, I’ve got all my own songs and
I’ve got a band. That’s what I was going to do, and
that’s what I did do…
I wanted the songs to sound different but still
recognisable, where I’m still up and coming I
didn’t want people to hear my song live, and then
go on Spotify and it sound completely different. So,
we had the track playing with my backing vocals
and harmonies on it and extra brass and stuff”
Towards the end of the interview, I asked Swancott to
discuss some of the biggest challenges she has faced
since deciding to become a musician. We went on to
discuss the difficulty getting over people’s opinions
when you first decided to become and artist and share
your work with the world. Sam went on to say how she
finds it easier not to care about other people opinions
when she really believes in the work she’s putting out:
“My first song I put out I was 19, that song when
It came out I remember thinking, I don’t care
if anyone else likes this song because I like this
song, and then it did really well. So, when it came
to putting the second song out I was like, oh my
god, what if no-one likes it? Then suddenly I was
thinking, who am I making music for? Because
I don’t like this song I’ve just put out, and no one
else does! I was just in this cycle of thinking, what
are people thinking? Are they laughing at me?
They’re thinking… oh she really thinks she’s going
to become a singer?”
Describing it as a ‘mindset switch’ Swancott has said
in the last year she really embraced the ‘fake it till you
make it’ attitude.
“You have to pretend you’re a popstar, and it
works! You’ll get more opportunities, and people
can tell you really believe in yourself.”
Sam Swancott’s new track ‘Karma’ is available to stream
on Spotify NOW! Sam’s next single “Mad about it”
will be relased next month, stay updated with Darkus
Magazine as we follow up in future with sam’s journey.
To view the entire, on camera interview with Sam
Swancott please visit the Darkus Magazine’s YouTube
page, or on the Darkus Magazine ‘Lounges’ Page.
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fire, because after all as the saying goes, push too
much then karma can be a bitch.
As for the other elements to the song, one of the
stand out features has to be Sam’s
phenomenal voice, because it just flows with
confidence and strength. There is a charismatic
style to her music and Karma is just another
prime example of her exceptional evolution as an
emerging UK artist.
Available on spotify, be sure to give Karma a listen
today by scanning the code below!
“Karma” Review | Thushara S Chandrasiri
This showcase would not be complete without
taking the opportunity of checking out Sam’s
most recent track, Karma. If your getting to know
Sam, then this song is the perfect introduction to
her phenomenal talent.
Written with sheer honesty and depth, Karma is
such a powerful song which sees Sam really
taking the opportunity to speak her truth, without
any fear of holding back. You cannot help feel a
deep sense of resonance with the lyrics, because
they speak to your conscience as you think about
that person who thought it was smart to mess you
around and play with your mind.
I just love the line:
‘Love’s a game, do you wanna play?
Poker face, better learn yours babe’
I told you karma’s gonna find a way to you,
loves a game, do you wanna play?’,
because the beauty of Karma, is that Sam uses this
10 song as a reminder of being careful not to play with
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Credits:
Production, Photography & Graphic Design by Luke James Court | @lukejamescourt
Photo Assitant: by Olivia Checkley | @Ads.andmore
Editor in Chief : Thushara Chandrasiri | @DarkusMagazine
Article by Luke James Court | @lukejamescourt
Review by Thushara Chandrasiri | @Thushara.life
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Thankyou to Sam Swancott | @SamSwancott

Emerging 2 0 Talent 2 4 S P Showcase E C I A L E D I | T Spring I O N
2024
DARKUS
F E A T U R I N G
Featuring
Sam Swancott
SAM
SWANCOTT
W W W . D A R K U S M A G A Z I N E . C O M
I N S T A G R A M : @ D A R K U S M A G A Z I N E
www.darkusmagazine.com
@darkusmagazine