The Samuel Burton Interview
Raised in Northern Utah and influenced by his grandfather’s music collection, Burton found himself completely transformed by the Harry 'Haywire' McClintock classic, "The Big Rock Candy Mountain” and the rest is history! Burton has a released a number of wonderful records with sprawling guitar work, romantic tones and textures and a deep yearning for hope. It was nice speaking to Burton about growing up, getting into music, some of his records on Tompkins Square and most recently a terrible car-accident that him and the Sylvie folks endured. We’ve attached his Go Fund Me at the bottom if you feel so inclined to make a donation!
Tell me about growing up in Salt Lake City, before relocating to LA to pursue music. What was your childhood like? When did you first begin to fall in love with music, more specifically the guitar? Was this something that was relevant around your households growing up?
I actually didn’t grow up in SLC I grew up in a small town in northern Utah. My mom and I lived with my grandparents for a little while and my grandpa would listen to his records loud and I loved it. Every once in a while my uncle would come by with his guitar. He hardly played it, but I was always really in awe of it. It had a powerful mystery about it. I remember being struck by that.
What would you guys do for fun? Who were some of your earliest influences? When and where did you see your first concert and when did it dawn on you that you wanted to be a musician? An artist. When and where did you play your first gig and what was that experience like for you?
My mom and I moved away to a smaller town and she worked pretty long hours so I had a lot of time to myself. I wasn’t allowed to be in the house alone so I would wander around outside all day. There was an older woman who lived down the street and I would go over and play checkers with her. When I was a kid I had a tape that had the song “The Big Rock Candy Mountain” on it. I was fascinated by it. It was the first song I listened to alone and it really transported me. So I guess that’s my earliest influence. My first “gig” was an open mic at a place called Moe’s. Everyone was supportive there. I still consider some of them very close friends of mine.
Did you participate in groups, or projects prior to setting out as a solo musician? 2011 saw your debut release “Herd Behavior”, 2016’s “Until Returning” and 2018’s, “Song Challenge” from Chthonic Records. Tell me about writing and recording those early works and what you wanted to express and achieve with those albums. How did the deal with Chthonic come about?
I did play in bands growing up. I love playing with people, it’s a real thrill. Those early albums are just me trying out songwriting early on. Not worth mentioning really, but I suppose everyone needs some humbling from time to time. Song challenge isn’t really a record it’s just a collection of demos from a project I did where I tried to write a song every day for 30 days. Selected songs from that excluding a couple became my first proper record “I Can Go With You”. There was no deal with Chthonic Records. It’s just a very very dear friend of mine named Tucker White who posted whatever I sent him on bandcamp. He does it for all of his friends. He made me tapes too for free. He’s an angel and a wonderful artist.
Your 2020 debut LP, “I Can Go With You” was released on Tompkins Square. I'm curious to know your approach to this album and what the experience of putting out an official vinyl release of your music was like for you. Would you mind giving some background to songs such as “Nothing Touches Me”, “I Am No Moon”, “Wave Goodbye” and “Can It Carry Me”?
I made that record with Jarvis Taveniere. Jarvis and I tracked everything with Jesse quebbeman-Turley on drums live with the vocals live too and later on Aaron Otheim came in and played some really beautiful piano. I was inspired by how the record Harvest sounded and I wanted to capture that live energy without a lot of frills. I wouldn’t say I was trying to achieve anything with any of these albums, or even express anything per se. I just wanted to make some music. I usually don’t know what a song is about until some time has passed. With recording I just want to capture the spirit of the song. It can be joyous and humbling but in the end it’s just trying to pay service to the songs. Truthfully I don’t know what background I can give on those songs you mentioned. All of it is pretty much there.
Are you currently working on any new material/projects/gigs for Spring and Summer? Is there anything else you would like to further share with readers? I wanted to shed light on a recent accident you were in coming off the road from touring with Sylvie. There’s a Gofund Me that readers can access if they feel so inclined to support and help with some of those damages. Glad to know you guys are safe!
I have another record coming out in July that I was lucky enough to make with Jonathan Wilson. I can’t say enough good things about that guy. I had the pleasure of having omar Valasco, Drew Erickson, Jake Blanton, and Grant Milliken play in the band as well. Thanks for having me! Thank you for talking about the gofundme it means so much to me.
