Picture a world where melodies intertwine like ivy, where each lyric paints a landscape, and every chord resonates with authenticity. Well, you don’t need to picture it because Sam Plourd paints it with her songs.
In this heart-to-heart interview, we’ve been lucky enough to meet none other than Sam Plourd, an indie pop artist whose songs tell stories of personal experiences through a clear focus on melody, creative lyricism, and genuine emotion.
Sam Plourd: Crafting Indie Pop Magic
In the studio, Sam Plourd transforms home demos into fully realized tracks, collaborating with producer Harper James to bring their vision to life. This vision is shaped by influences ranging from Dayglow and Still Woozy to Evann McIntosh (a dream collab of hers) and Mitski, creating a unique yet familiar indie pop style.
At the core of their songwriting lies a commitment to melody, inventive lyricism, and an unwavering dedication to authenticity. From “Butterfly Kisses” to “Metamorphosis,” each song is a genuine reflection of experiences, feelings, and observations, transformed into something lighthearted and relatable.
🎶 How would you describe your musical style and the themes you explore in your music?Â
I think most of the time my musical style best fits within the genre of indie pop. I pull inspiration from a lot of different places, but it always ends up staying true to that indie pop sound that drew me to making music in the first place. I try not to focus too much on fitting into one genre, and just make whatever feels good to me. When I write, I prioritize melody, creative lyricism, and overall authenticity. I never write anything that doesn’t feel 100% representative of me. I hope that when people hear my songs, they can tell that I genuinely love making music, and that my passion shines through. Every theme I touch upon comes from a real place, from something I’ve really been through or observed. Writing helps me process every emotion I feel and turn it into something fun and lighthearted.
One of my favorite themes I’ve ever explored is in my song “Metamorphosis,” where I unpack my journey with finally feeling comfortable in my own skin. The proudest I’ve ever been of myself was when I was finally able to flip the switch in my head that transfers the power from others to myself when determining my worth. I hope that people can relate to that feeling, and even if not, I’m still really glad I wrote it. It’s one of the most authentic songs I’ve ever written.
As far as overall aesthetic, nature is a huge theme in my lyrics and visuals. Ever since I was little, I’ve just adored and admired everything natural about our earth, and I think there are so many metaphors within it that apply to every situation. When I have a mental block, I take a walk outside and immediately come back with a million song ideas.
đź‘€ Who are your musical influences, both within and outside your genre?
A lot of my sound inspiration comes from artists like Dayglow, JW Francis, and Still Woozy. They always nail that iconic bedroom/indie pop style that I’m so deeply rooted in. Some artists that I admire lyrically are Evann McIntosh, Hozier, and Mitski. Writing lyrics is my favorite part of the whole musical process, and those three artists are top tier lyricists for me. They say what they need to say in such a poetic and effective way. The impact that their writing has on me is the impact that I strive for my writing to have on others.
I’m also really influenced by artists like Amy Winehouse, Fleetwood Mac, Fiona Apple, Lana Del Rey, Remi Wolf, Jordana, and Chappell Roan. I just absolutely adore their artistry. Whether it be vocals, production, lyrics, attitude, style, stage presence, performance quality, or all of the above, I’m always striving to get to the level that these artists are/were on.
I’m never limited to a set amount of musical influences though, it really depends on what the musical intention is for each song I make. For every song I record, I make a playlist full of influences that eventually gets pinned to my Spotify artist profile. I want people to know what inspired me, what I like, and see if they can hear bits and pieces of some of their favorites in whatever I make.
🎙️Can you walk us through your recording and production process?
Once I have a song written, I make a demo for it using MIDI instruments and the guitars I have at home. The demos act as a rough outline and tend to be more simplistic so there’s lots of room to expand in the studio. I don’t like to get too locked into any specific ideas, because I feel that it can sometimes limit the creativity and flow of the recording session. Once I’m satisfied with the demo, I take it to work on with a producer.
Everything I have out right now I recorded in Brooklyn with Harper James. His talent blows me away every time and we work so well together. He really helps draw the musical ideas out of my brain and into reality. We’re always on the same wavelength with whatever the end goal is, so sometimes he’s able to execute what I want without me even thoroughly explaining it. He’s really great at being in touch with the people he works with.
The production is built around the demo and the ideas I have, and everything is added layer by layer. Usually the first day in the studio is spent laying down the foundation, and the second day is recording vocals and adding final touches. As I’ve been learning and growing, I’ve been becoming more confident in my production skills, and I want to take a more active role in the production of my songs. Hopefully that’s what’s next for me, and in the future I can produce everything on my own.
🫂 Is there a dream collaboration you’d like to pursue in the future?
So many! One of the artists at the top of my list who I mentioned before is Evann McIntosh. They’re someone that really inspires me and I think our combined styles would result in something really amazing. Others that come to mind are Luna Li, Hannah Jadagu, Hemlocke Springs, and Indigo De Souza.
🤔Is there anything you wish you had known when you first started as an artist?
I’ve only been putting music out for about a year, and there’s still so much for me to learn. But one thing that I’ve learned so far is the importance of forming relationships with others. It can be difficult to put yourself out there but it becomes easier once you start connecting with fellow artists, engineers, producers, writers, etc.
You can learn so much from others if you open yourself up to it. Aside from the knowledge and inspiration you can absorb, it also just feels more fun to be a part of the community you’re trying to contribute to. Reaching out, making friends, and supporting their art is so fun and beneficial to both parties.
Sam Plourd: Metamorphosing Through Music
We know what you’re thinking, it’s ok. We’ve also fallen a bit in love with her as well. As we aim to do with our heart-to-heart section, we hope Sam Plourd’s personal and professional journey has inspired you, whether you’re a musician or not. From her nature-inspired lyrics to her authentic indie pop sound, she’s continually crafted music that resonates deeply with her listeners.
If you want to continue being part of her exciting journey, here’s what you can do:
- Check out her official website to learn more about her and her contribution to the indie scene.
- Follow her on IG (@samplourd) or TikTok (@samplourd) for social trends and events.
- Don’t miss out on “Sage,” – also featured in Indiemono’s Monthly Compilation: CORAL FANTASTIC VOL.1 – and experience the heartfelt melodies and genuine themes that define her work.
Dive into Sam Plourd’s world, and let her music take you on a journey of self-discovery and emotional authenticity. We’ve already packed our suitcase.