Susie Blue
Singer songwriter Sam Wickens takes on our Guestlist series and chats about the 10 songs that shaped him as an artist. The NI Music Prize nominee is releasing a stunning video for his new single 'Murky Waters' along with his new EP 'Watson' on the 5th.
I wanted to do somewhat of a chronological list of songs that made me who I am and the following list is a fraction of how I became to be. Music is everything to me. I use it to express emotion when I can't find the words and I use it to hide when I can't face anyone.
Christy Moore ft Sinead O'Connor - The Mad Lady and Me
This is my first memory of music, hearing these 2 voices go together so beautifully and tell such a vivid story. I adore story songs especially when the imagery is so clear.
Snow Patrol - Run
I remember travelling a lot from Belfast to Derry as a kid, my brothers loved snow patrol and therefore passed it on to me, this song especially is how I taught myself to harmonise as Gary has such a love voice compared to my own. I was so grateful to have him as my unofficial singing coach on the car rides.
The Beach Boys - Sloop John B
This is the first song I learned how to play on guitar, my father taught me it. I remember being so excited that I could finally put music to my voice and I couldn't be stopped from then on, constantly practicing and writing the worst songs you could imagine.
The Corrs - Summer Sunshine
I love lyrics in general, I love to hear what other people have to say, especially when they put it into a song I know it must be of some importance to them. This song really made me hear lyrics for the first time as someone actually speaking rather than telling a story. I have the lyrics tattooed on my leg, my ex has a matching tattoo, which I guess is a perfect story for this song.
Joan Jett - Crimson and Clover
The first time I heard a woman sing about another woman in a romantic way. I almost died when I found this song, as a lil gay kid hiding behind many boyfriends when I heard this song I said "I'm gonna do that" and I did. I vowed to be overly honest in my songs and maybe help another like gay kid.
Green Day - Basket Case
I remember my cousin gave me this album and up until this I had only really listened to music my immediate family liked, so Christy Moore, Patsy Cline and Connie Francis, who are all exceptional artists and I still listen to them everyday. But somehow, finding "rock" music changed a little bit of me. I craved an electric guitar, this led to songs like "Lisbeth" and "She's a keeper" being written, they aren't the heaviest of rock but that'll be the hint of Patsy Cline in there.
Tegan and Sara - Take Me Anywhere
I started to find my own way with music, I found limewire and started to be able to collect my own playlists. This led me to Tegan and Sara, twin sisters from Canada who also happen to be lesbians. Their music was much more subtle than writing directly about being queer, it was about day to day relationship struggles but the best part was just just knew it was about a same sex couple. I had hope for my future being normalised and this song has bonded me to many lifelong friends.
Wakey!Wakey! - Light Outside
I found Wakey!Wakey! when I was having a really tough time. The first line of the song always comes into my head when I'm having a bad day. "I know you wanna stay in bed, but it's light outside, it's light outside." It's such a stunning song and a perfect example of how I use music to cope when I'm getting it tight.
Taylor Swift - Exile
This whole album Taylor Swift brought out is just pure gold. It reminded me not to try so hard with producing what I think people want. It told me that I can start over and just record and play whatever comes out. I needed this breath of fresh air from Taylor Swift and this song which is a duet is so heartbreakingly beautiful. I fell in love with it as soon as I heard it.
Hayley Kiyoko - Girls Like Girls
Well this song and video are a cinematic masterpiece in my mind. Again, the first time I'd seen a music video so gay out in the open. I cover this song in my set, it's actually the only song I cover in my set. I feel it's just a really cool pop song that I can relate to, which rarely happens.
