Music and Arts
Sami Talks Sundown, Sobriety & New Beginnings
Regular performer in Gibraltar and emerging from the south coast of Spain with Argentine roots and English wit, singer-songwriter Sami is carving out his own space with heartfelt storytelling and emotional honesty. His latest single, Sundown, produced by legendary hitmaker Eliot Kennedy, marks an important moment, not just musically, but personally.
With recording sessions at the iconic Steelworks Studios in Sheffield and a release aligned with the launch of new music app Myxa, Sundown represents both opportunity and achievement.
HeyGibraltar.com caught up with Sami to talk about the story behind the song, his creative process, and why this chapter feels different.
Image: Sami James
Firstly, can you tell our readers about yourself as an artist?
Hello!! My name is Sami. I’m a singer-songwriter living on the south coast of Spain. My father is Argentinian and my mother is English, so I’ve definitely got a bit of a twang in both languages!
Music has always been my way of making sense of things, I write about feelings, moments, and the kind of thoughts that tend to linger.
How would you describe the sound of Sundown to someone hearing your music for the first time?
I’d like to think it’s like being splashed in the face with something honest, real, vulnerable, universal truths about life, with a few metaphors thrown in for good measure.
I’m not entirely sure what it’s about, but it’s definitely about something. Maybe it’s about holding onto a feeling… trying not to let it slip away.
Did you experiment with anything new sonically or creatively on this track?
I left a lot of the sonic direction to Eliot Kennedy, who’s a legend in his own right. The song itself isn’t wildly different from what I’ve done before, but the quality, the attention to detail, and especially my vocal delivery were pushed to another level under his guidance.
He monitored everything closely, and that made a huge difference. He deserves a lot of credit for that.
What was the recording process like, intimate and stripped back, or more layered and exploratory?
I initially sent him the track, along with a few others, from Spain. He started building it at Steelworks Studios in Sheffield, which was surreal in itself.
I went over for three or four days to record my parts: vocals, harmonies, guitar, and to share how I wanted the song to feel emotionally. But honestly, I was in awe most of the time. Watching everything come together in that environment was an experience I won’t forget.
Do you usually write lyrics first or music first, and how did Sundown come together?
It changes every time. With Sundown, I remember having the hook melody first, the chorus just kind of landed. From there, I built the rest of the song around that feeling.
Why did now feel like the right time to release this song?
We wanted the release to align with the launch of Myxa, which Eliot is also involved with, so from a promotional point of view it made sense.
We recorded Sundown and two other tracks back in October, so I’ve been waiting patiently for March 6th to finally share it with the world. It feels good to have it out there.
How does Sundown fit into your wider journey as an artist, does it mark a new chapter?
If I’m honest, it does. I’ve had a few challenging years recently. I’m nearly two years sober now, and none of these opportunities, working with producers of this calibre, building real momentum, would have happened if I hadn’t made that change.
On a personal level, just getting this single over the line feels like a huge achievement. It represents discipline, growth, and a bit of belief returning.
What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
Honestly? I don’t even know what I’m doing Tuesday!
But the mindset is simple: keep recording, stay level-headed, remain sober, and say yes to the right opportunities. Hard times pass, that’s something I’ve learned.
Of course, getting booked for a festival, opening for a major artist, or landing a big payday wouldn’t hurt either.
You can keep up to date with Sami's journey by following him on social media using the following links:
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