Interview with Samaël: Exploring Musical Identity and Creativity

Samaël, a guitarist hailing from the quiet town of St. Leonard, New Brunswick, has journeyed far beyond his roots to become a fingerstyle guitarist. With a background in both metal and acoustic music, Samaël blends technical mastery with emotional depth. In this interview, he shares the creative process behind his latest track, hilarious gig stories, and the musical influences that shaped his unique sound. Dive into the mind of an artist who values authenticity above all else.

Question 1: Where do you come from?

I’m from St. Leonard, a small town in New Brunswick, Canada, with a population of less than 2,000 people. After growing up there, I moved to L.A. to study at the Musicians Institute, where I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in musicology before returning to my hometown. It’s been a full-circle journey that’s shaped my artistic voice and approach to music.

Question 2: Tell us about one of your tracks. How did it come together?

For my track “Ancient Whispers,” I composed using notation software instead of my guitar to avoid relying on familiar technical habits. I envisioned the guitar as three distinct voices: a bass player, a mid-range player, and a higher voice. This allows for a more intricate composition, and in “Ancient Whispers,” you can hear how each part interacts. The melody is carried by the high voice, while the mid-range offers the main theme, and the bass grounds everything. It's a method that’s helped me compose beyond my instrument’s limitations.

Question 3: What was the most hilarious gig you ever performed?

That would have to be during my time with Aeon’s Fall, a progressive metal band in Montreal. We were playing at this pub/burger joint, and the cook was also our sound guy! So, we had to yell out sound adjustments between his burger-flipping duties. It was chaotic, but it made for a hilarious and unforgettable night.

Question 4: What colour would your music be like for people with synaesthesia?

the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body like seeing colours for sound or words

A month ago, I performed with two of my heroes, Antoine Dufour and Erik Mongrain. Erik mentioned after the show that he has synaesthesia and that my music was the first to make him see purple. That really struck me and felt like a cool affirmation of the emotional tones I’m trying to convey.

Question 5: Do you create for yourself or your fans?

I compose for myself. Authenticity is key—there are countless great musicians out there, but what makes a piece unique is the individual who creates it. I aim to channel my own voice into my music. I hope fans resonate with that, but I don’t compromise on personal integrity for trends.

Question 6: What’s something interesting we don’t know about you yet?

A lot of people are surprised to learn that, despite my acoustic fingerstyle approach, I spent 10 years playing in metal bands in Montreal. We went all out with headbanging and heavy energy during performances. It’s definitely a different side of me, but I think both styles influence each other in unexpected ways.

You practice at 100% so you can perform at 90%

Question 7: What’s the best advice another musician has given you?

Fred Filiatro, a bass player in Montreal, once told me, “You practice at 100% so you can perform at 90%.” That advice really stuck with me. Playing live brings a level of energy that can’t always be controlled, and it’s important to accept that perfection isn’t always possible on stage. It’s better to focus on delivering an emotionally charged performance than a technically perfect one.

Question 8: What would you do if you made a mistake during a performance?

I tell my students this all the time: if you make a mistake, don’t stop playing. The key is to keep going, regain your place in the song, and avoid drawing attention to the error. Once it’s happened, there’s no fixing it, so you just move forward and focus on the rest of the performance.

Question 9: Are there any musicians who inspire you? What do you admire about them?

Erik Mongrain comes to mind. What I admire about him is that, in a genre where visual elements like percussive guitar can be captivating, he’s solely focused on the sonic experience. His music, like his piece “Airtap!,” transcends flashy techniques and goes straight for emotional resonance. From the metal world, I’m also inspired by Frederik Thordendal of Meshuggah, particularly the way he plays with rhythm—there’s a complexity I strive to incorporate into my own music.

if you make a mistake, don’t stop playing

Question 10: What’s your favourite and least favourite part about being a musician?

My favorite part is the independence and creative freedom I have as a solo artist. I get to explore whatever musical ideas I want, and that autonomy is incredibly rewarding. On the flip side, my least favorite part is the marketing and social media side of things. I understand its importance, but if I could avoid it, I definitely would.

Question 11: What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next 5 to 10 years?

In the next 5 to 10 years, I’d love to form a duo or trio of fingerstyle players. There are also some ideas for French prog music projects that are in development. I’m also hoping to expand my music school and perhaps create a YouTube channel. Despite my dislike of social media, I see value in reaching a wider audience to share my approach to teaching guitar and helping others find their own musical voice.

Biography:

Samaël is a guitarist and instrumental composer from New Brunswick, Canada. He was introduced to the guitar at the age of 12. He perfected his musical knowledge at the prestigious Musicians Institute where he obtained an associate degree in guitar performance in 2010. Subsequently, he obtained a bachelor's degree in classical music at Concordia University and a master's degree in musicology at the University of Montreal.

In 2014, he offers us his first fingerstyle album, Halcyon Night. Which was followed by Shadow (2018), which contains more mature compositions and in which Samaël seems to have found his musical identity. Shadow offers an introspective journey to the listener and gives the impression of a sonic approach resembling minimalism and film music rather than typical fingerstyle guitar. Samaël will undoubtedly be able to immerse you in his ephemeral universe which awaken our senses to the depth unequivocally reflected from the complexity and dexterity of the artist. His latest project, CASCADIA, promises to captivate listeners with its rich, atmospheric soundscapes and intricate guitar work, which Samaël has become renowned for.

This interview appeared first on ForTheLoveOfBands.