We catch up with Toronto singer-songwriter Sam Drysdale.

What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music? 

I’d like to express myself in a way that makes my family and friends proud. Had you asked me this same question 10 years ago, my answer would’ve been different. 

What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish? 

In the immediate future, a proper North American and European tour would definitely be top of the list. The chance to open for some of my favourite artists would also be quite the privilege. 

What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour? 

I’ve got a new EP coming out in November called “Bonnie’s Sad Songs,” that I am incredibly proud of. Far more so than any project I’ve released prior. It’s a bit of a sonic “coming home,” for me and I can confidently stand behind every piece of music. You can absolutely expect a slew of show dates to close out 2024 and throughout all of 2025!

Tell us a bit about your latest release and how would you best describe your music? 

This record is pure singer-songwriter. Lyricism is my true passion within music. I really love good, original storytelling. I was hoping to write a record that I could play for my friends around a bonfire on just a guitar and each song would still carry the weight of the produced version. I’d like to think we’ve done that.

Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?

With this record, heartache. Nothing has ever inspired me more frequently and more deeply than truly loving someone. From a broader view, I realize now that every song on this upcoming project really represents a lesson I’ve learned, usually the hard way, about what it means to genuinely love someone. 

Success, what is the secret to it? 

If I knew the answer to that, I wouldn’t still be sweating when my wallet comes out! Jokes aside, in the ten years I’ve spent making music, the thing that’s brought me the most peace is when I feel the work I’ve made is authentic to myself not just as an artist, but as a person. It’s taken me a long time to learn that.

What has been your biggest career highlight so far? 

Making this record. It’s been a seemingly bottomless well of inspiration and creation and I think one of the reasons I’ve waited so long to put it out is because of how much fun I’ve had in the creation process. It’s amazing to see something come together exactly as you envisioned it.

Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring? 

Folk singer-songwriters are having a real moment right now which makes me very happy. Noah Kahan, Lizzy McAlpine, Lennon Stella, Zach Bryan are all incredible. John Mayer will probably always be the north star for me. He was definitely the first artist I really tried to model my writing after and he’ll be a gift to the music industry for lifetimes. I also have a very special place in my heart for The Weeknd. He really lives his art which I have a tremendous amount of respect for. He builds worlds.

Are there any new projects in the pipeline?

Bonnie’s Sad Songs – out in November 😉

The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself a few years? 

It is changing, but I think it can still honour a simple path. I hope to continue to simplify and amplify the parts of me and my writing that seem to connect with people most.

What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?

It inherently demands more levels of selfishness than I’m comfortable with. As a solo artist, your whole world is yourself but at the same time, you rely on the help of so many. There are so many days where you truly have no idea if anything you’ve done is of any value. You can start to feel more like a liability than an asset to those around you. However, when things go right and people genuinely see you for who you are as both an artist and a person, that’s the most fulfilling feeling I’ve ever had.

Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.

Matt Corby. Brother is one of the best songs of all time in my books. Can’t forget AC/DC. Thunderstruck was one of the first songs I ever NEEDED to learn on the guitar.

The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?

It’s confusing. for sure. And I’ve struggled to find my place in it. That said, I recently posted a video of myself playing a new song from my couch and it has reached almost half a million people on TikTok alone. That’s incredibly powerful. The best I can do is write and play my songs as honestly as I can and hope that people will relate. The internet is really just a new bar and you’ve gotta get your reps in . 

How will you continue appealing to the international market? 

Write and play a song for just one person, as genuinely as you can. From what I’ve seen, that’s how you play for thousands.

Do you like to collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?

Absolutely! Frankly, this list is wayyy too long. Every artist mentioned above would definitely make the cut but then I would also like to do some more unexpected collaborations. Daniel Caesar, Lucky Daye, Diplo.. 

What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps? 

You’ll often hear in the early days how important it is to “find out who you are as an artist.” But to be the best artist, you need to find out who you are as a person. 

A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?

I appreciate you, and I’m grateful for you! Fans are truly the lifeblood of a musician’s life. If the whole journey is a garden, they are the water.

Instagram: @samdrysdalemusic