01Profile
A Sam Dotia Photo
Sam Dotia
Musician — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Hello, I’m Sam and I’ve spent a large sum of my life growing up in south east London, my family and I are Rwandese, and I was born in Zambia.
Describe your style in three words?
Hoodies’re my kryptonite (does that count? Aha).
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Easily one of the many times I’ve seen Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, 'Heart Don’t Stand a Chance' is an experience live. I was air-drumming along to every drum fill and by some stroke of luck, I somehow even managed to meet them at the legendary Koko venue. I’ve definitely etched that night into my memory.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I’ve been waiting for this question ever since I heard 'Spies' by Coldplay and 'Paranoid Android' by Radiohead, being on a bill with them (and hopefully meeting them in the hypothetical green room) would tick off multiple boxes on my bucket list.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’m not too sure how I would name it but the label 'Fuelled by Ramen' definitely had me specifically in their target audience I’m sure, I must be in a file somewhere in their database because how else would those bands speak to me like so?
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Neil. Degrasse. Tyson. I have questions about the universe that need answering and I’m hoping I would be able to open his eyes to some things. I have some theories.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I’d like to say Siegfried von Underbelly in Hoxton because I quite enjoy that the stage is in the corner, so you can see everything around the room, the connection between performer and audience feels equal, you’re watching me, and I’m watching you watch me, a game of musical chicken.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I think my answer does and doesn’t count but I’m a rebel so I’m gonna say it anyway, James Fauntleroy II is easily one of the best songwriters ever. I hate the term because it feels snotty, but he’s one of those ‘if you know, you know’ people, either you understand his genius or you haven’t done enough research.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Home' by Michael Bublé actually got me into singing, I would spend many a day going over the verses trying to learn it so that I could sing along, I even sang it in a talent show!
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Lullaby' by The Spill Canvas is something that I would attribute to some of my melancholy, in my adolescence that song was basically my soundtrack.
One record you would keep forever?
'Stillness In Wonderland' by Little Simz. I saw her live at the roundhouse and managed to get a signed copy, #50 of 101. Long live Simz.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Adrift' by Cise Star of CYNE is an absolutely amazing song where he pens, “treat you how I treat myself, yeah I know the golden rule but if I treat myself like s***, what am I to do to you” really and truly, every song lyric in the song has inspired but I had to whittle it down. It taught me that how you treat others starts with how you treat yourself. Somehow, he managed to steal thoughts that I was yet to have and articulate them in a way I never could.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'm.A.A.d City' by Kendrick Lamar (ft. MC Eiht) is one of the craziest songs in existence. Fun fact, I once learnt how to teleport in the club. I was chilling with some friends and having a good time and upon hearing “If Pirus and Crips all got along...” I teleported to the dance floor. it was wild. I’ve yet to do it again.
A song you wished you had written?
'Accordion' by MF DOOM, storytelling is unparalleled, you can try but there never anyone like him. Rest in power
Best song to turn up loud?
(Intoxication is optional) 'Gold' by A2 is THE BEST song to turn up loud and sing/shout along to. I always say the opening line, “are you alone this weekend?” With crazy vim. It’s necessary.
Best song to bring people together?
'Many Men' by 50 Cent. A modern opus by a man with many titles. Plus, I think everyone would like to imagine they can relate but really and truly, who can relate to 50 Cent? There is only one 50.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Okay, hear me out. Katy Perry has a song called 'Thinking Of You' and I absolutely love it. It’s somewhat delicate but also heartbreaking. She really said, “cause when I’m with him I am thinking of you” now imagine being this ‘him’ she speaks of, ignorance is bliss, my friend.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
Given the titular nature of the track, 'All Night' by ELIZA sounds like both the beginning of a long, fun night to come, and the end of an amazing all-nighter spent doing, God-knows-what.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Not so much new, but I’ve recently discovered, Alabama Shakes and they are SO AMAZING. I’m in love with, 'This Feeling'.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Hello, I’m Sam and I’ve spent a large sum of my life growing up in south east London, my family and I are Rwandese, and I was born in Zambia.
Describe your style in three words?
Hoodies’re my kryptonite (does that count? Aha).
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Easily one of the many times I’ve seen Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, 'Heart Don’t Stand a Chance' is an experience live. I was air-drumming along to every drum fill and by some stroke of luck, I somehow even managed to meet them at the legendary Koko venue. I’ve definitely etched that night into my memory.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I’ve been waiting for this question ever since I heard 'Spies' by Coldplay and 'Paranoid Android' by Radiohead, being on a bill with them (and hopefully meeting them in the hypothetical green room) would tick off multiple boxes on my bucket list.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’m not too sure how I would name it but the label 'Fuelled by Ramen' definitely had me specifically in their target audience I’m sure, I must be in a file somewhere in their database because how else would those bands speak to me like so?
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Neil. Degrasse. Tyson. I have questions about the universe that need answering and I’m hoping I would be able to open his eyes to some things. I have some theories.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I’d like to say Siegfried von Underbelly in Hoxton because I quite enjoy that the stage is in the corner, so you can see everything around the room, the connection between performer and audience feels equal, you’re watching me, and I’m watching you watch me, a game of musical chicken.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I think my answer does and doesn’t count but I’m a rebel so I’m gonna say it anyway, James Fauntleroy II is easily one of the best songwriters ever. I hate the term because it feels snotty, but he’s one of those ‘if you know, you know’ people, either you understand his genius or you haven’t done enough research.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Home' by Michael Bublé actually got me into singing, I would spend many a day going over the verses trying to learn it so that I could sing along, I even sang it in a talent show!
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Lullaby' by The Spill Canvas is something that I would attribute to some of my melancholy, in my adolescence that song was basically my soundtrack.
One record you would keep forever?
'Stillness In Wonderland' by Little Simz. I saw her live at the roundhouse and managed to get a signed copy, #50 of 101. Long live Simz.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Adrift' by Cise Star of CYNE is an absolutely amazing song where he pens, “treat you how I treat myself, yeah I know the golden rule but if I treat myself like s***, what am I to do to you” really and truly, every song lyric in the song has inspired but I had to whittle it down. It taught me that how you treat others starts with how you treat yourself. Somehow, he managed to steal thoughts that I was yet to have and articulate them in a way I never could.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'm.A.A.d City' by Kendrick Lamar (ft. MC Eiht) is one of the craziest songs in existence. Fun fact, I once learnt how to teleport in the club. I was chilling with some friends and having a good time and upon hearing “If Pirus and Crips all got along...” I teleported to the dance floor. it was wild. I’ve yet to do it again.
A song you wished you had written?
'Accordion' by MF DOOM, storytelling is unparalleled, you can try but there never anyone like him. Rest in power
Best song to turn up loud?
(Intoxication is optional) 'Gold' by A2 is THE BEST song to turn up loud and sing/shout along to. I always say the opening line, “are you alone this weekend?” With crazy vim. It’s necessary.
Best song to bring people together?
'Many Men' by 50 Cent. A modern opus by a man with many titles. Plus, I think everyone would like to imagine they can relate but really and truly, who can relate to 50 Cent? There is only one 50.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Okay, hear me out. Katy Perry has a song called 'Thinking Of You' and I absolutely love it. It’s somewhat delicate but also heartbreaking. She really said, “cause when I’m with him I am thinking of you” now imagine being this ‘him’ she speaks of, ignorance is bliss, my friend.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
Given the titular nature of the track, 'All Night' by ELIZA sounds like both the beginning of a long, fun night to come, and the end of an amazing all-nighter spent doing, God-knows-what.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Not so much new, but I’ve recently discovered, Alabama Shakes and they are SO AMAZING. I’m in love with, 'This Feeling'.