Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Jayne
Hi Samantha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in a musical family–my grandmother was a professional singer when she was my age and that gene carried through to my Dad and then to me. So music is literally in my blood! Going to my Dad’s gigs and being around music in general was a large part of my childhood and around 10 I realized that I loved to sing, so I started singing every now and then with him and his band. This was also around the time Taylor Swift entered the scene and I was sold. I wanted to be like her so I took guitar lessons (Teardrops on My Guitar was the first song I learned how to play btw) and started playing around with writing my own lyrics.
As I got older, my passion for music just continued to blossom and grow. The problem was, I was SO shy. I wouldn’t let anyone (even my dad) hear me sing or play guitar. I’m not sure why since I had previously sang with his band when i was younger, but i guess I just became more self aware and therefore self conscious. That went on for way too many years, but I eventually got sick of keeping it all to myself and decided to be brave and starting sharing my talent with other people. I played more gigs with my dad and I also formed my own band and played around my hometown (Perkasie, PA).
Pursuing my music in Nashville was always a dream that I had in the back of my mind, but I never thought I would ever have the guts to actually do it. I am someone who suffers from anxiety and it was something that really kept me from packing up my entire life and moving. But I knew that if I really wanted to make something of myself, I had to go. It was one of those things that you just knew you had to do. There wasn’t a question. Which is odd for someone who is a chronic overthinker. COVID-19 happening put a halt to my plans at first, but once the world started spinning again, and I knew it was going to be safe, I did it. My family and I drove 12 hours from PA to Nashville and I’m still here 3 years later. It’s wild to think it’s already been 3 years. Time flies!
My time in Nashville has definitely had it’s ups and downs. It can be a tough city to be a creative in, but I don’t think I would be the person I am right now if I never did this. I have grown and gotten to know myself and what I’m capable of so much since moving here. I believe I am a better me because of it. I have written my best songs and made such amazing music and personal connections here, so i wouldn’t change a thing. I’m not sure where I’m headed on this journey but I know I’m here for the ride and I’m excited to see what’s waiting for me up ahead.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As I said before, Nashville can be a tough place, and I think there are pros and cons of it being a place where so many people in music flock to. There are so so so many talented people here with the same dream so it can be really hard to stand out. And I have definitely gotten myself caught up in the comparison game. It’s also a very expensive dream to chase. If you want to put out songs and many of them, that’s a big chunk of money every time. And there are zero guarantees that anything will come of it. But we all seem to just do it anyway and hope for the best! When I start going down the rabbit hole of “what am I doing”, I try to remind myself of my “why”. I’m here because I love music. I love creating it and sharing it, and helping people get through the triumphs and trials of life through it. If nothing ever comes of my music, I am ok with that. My journey is so much more than “making it”.
And as for the comparison I catch myself doing vs other people here, I remember advice that another songwriter gave me during my first month here: “You need to stay focused on you and your journey. You’re gonna see other people pass you, and some of them will probably even be your friends. But remember that everyone is on their own journey and timelines and theirs has nothing to do with yours. What is meant for you will find you.” And dang it if that isn’t something I should have tattooed on my forehead by now!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a singer-songwriter through and through. As of the last few months I have leaned pretty heavily into the pop realm of music, which is funny because I never could have seen that coming. I grew up listening to country music and so when I first moved here, that was the route that felt natural to me. But as I got to know myself as an artist and songwriter more, I realized that I was boxing myself in already before my career even really started. These days I very much turn to pop and alt rock music when I am listening on my own. My favorite artists and songwriters are people like Taylor Swift, FLETCHER, and Gracie Abrams and so right now it feels natural for me to write closer to those styles. I’m honestly loving the switch up and I’m excited about what I’m creating. The pop music industry also is a lot more aligned with me as a person in general so I think that is why it feels good to be here too.
I think what sets me a part right now is that I write mostly all of my own songs that I put out by myself. It’s not to say that I don’t cowrite or enjoy it, cause I absolutely do. It’s just that where I am right now on my journey feels really personal. I feel like I need to hold my art very close to my chest and basically word vomit my guts and then serve them on a silver platter to the world. Cause that’s super normal, right? I think I’m really exploring what I can do on my own right now and then when the time is right and I find the right people, I’ll know, and we will create magic together. I’m really looking forward to that.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think the thing I would consider myself “lucky” for is the job I have that is completely unrelated to music but is what allows me to be here and do this. I’m a Senior Editor for a New York based pharmaceutical advertising agency and even though it’s hard work and the hours can be long, I would not be here without it. Because of this job I have a beautiful apartment and food on the table. I am not a “starving musician”. And that is something I am truly grateful for. I know not everyone has the privilege to have the kind of job to support them like this and I don’t take it lightly that I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samantha.jayne.music/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthajaynemusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZDmdczswXs4WEwD3rcIUK
