Sam Himself turns homesickness into motion on “Backstreets,” a radiant tune full of nostalgia and longing, but carried by heat, freedom, and the quiet energy to soldier on.
Stream: “Backstreets” – Sam Himself
‘Backstreets’ is about feeling at residence in two locations directly, however by no means absolutely belonging to both of them. I’m by no means not homesick, and I’m nonetheless studying to come back to phrases with that.
* * *
The bother with having multiple house is that you simply’re by no means absolutely anyplace in any respect: Regardless of the place you’re, a part of you is at all times someplace else.
It’s a sense indie rock artist Sam Himself (aka Samuel Koechlin) is aware of all too effectively. Splitting his time between his native Switzerland and his adopted residence of New York Metropolis, he exists in a state of perpetual craving, transience, and impermanence. That restlessness fuels “Backstreets,” a tune steeped in nostalgia and longing – but carried by a heat and freedom that make it really feel extra like an open street than a useless finish.
On Last Avenue and First Avenue
Them nook boys used to kick my ass
I suppose tonight I’ll get a move
Sidewalk’s gone clear,
extra inexperienced than concrete
The remainder was metal and glass
All fairly unusual to stranger’s eyes
Atwood Journal is proud to be premiering the Stefan Tschumi-directed music video for “Backstreets,” Sam Himself’s first tune of the yr. Following final October’s smoldering and seductive single “Dance With Me,” “Backstreets” finds the Swiss rocker in a state of intimate reflection – on his identification; on his perspective; and on his ‘place’ on this planet – the place he belongs.
If solely we might actually be in two locations directly, that may quell Koechlin’s stressed aching. His lyrics relay the ache inside: Outdated streets that don’t look the identical; visions from a long-distant childhood flicker out and in of view, on the fringe of reminiscence; and every little thing he as soon as knew is shifting ahead, with out him there.
Then the rain begins beating
On the roof of my cab
No parade for me
On the backstreets of my
Backstreets of my previous
Simple
Takes time
So take it simple
Give it time
But as a substitute of sinking into sorrow, the tune strikes – expansive, wealthy, and deeply human. Its pulse is a sort of acceptance in and of itself. Sam Himself’s baritone drifts over swelling instrumentation, balancing wistfulness with a way of quiet launch.
For Koechlin, “Backstreets” was a defining second in shaping the sound and scope of his subsequent LP.
“This was the tune off my new LP the place my producer, Daniel Schlett, and I each felt like, now we all know the place this album goes,” Koechlin tells Atwood Journal. “We [Daniel Schlett and I] journey a good quantity, so on the pre-production stage, we often work remotely, sending tune concepts forwards and backwards. A lot of these concepts evolve fairly a bit throughout this course of. One thing may begin as a ballad and find yourself a complete barnburner (or not make the reduce in any respect). Within the case of ‘Backstreets,’ we knew from the leap that we have been onto one thing; the vary felt proper, the tempo felt proper… The ultimate model of the tune is definitely fairly near the unique demo, structurally.”
“We began recording the tune at The Outlier Inn in upstate New York, which might be probably the most lovely studio I’ve ever been fortunate sufficient to make use of. You’re fairly removed from town up there, surrounded by nature, woods, ponds, goats, and chickens — a most bucolic setting, because it have been. There’s one thing very grounding about stepping outdoors after 100 hours of straight recording and realizing that the world – the day, the climate – has moved on with out you.”
“Then, we completed the tune at Daniel’s Soundwork Worldwide Studios within the East Village of Manhattan, which had a very totally different vibe however was equally inspiring. The distinction between these environment could also be mirrored within the tune: ‘Backstreets’ is about feeling at residence in two locations directly, however by no means absolutely belonging to both of them.”
Down reminiscence lane a voice comes roaring
Up by the gate stands my previous man
Arms open broad and for a second
All I do know now’s all I knew then
Just like the again of his proper hand
For Sam Himself, this dichotomy is just not a one-off, however his lived, on a regular basis expertise.
“That’s what I typically really feel like as I break up my time between Switzerland and the US,” he says. “I’ve an entire historical past and a ton of reminiscences in each locations, which is a stupendous factor. On the identical time, I’m by no means not homesick, and I’m nonetheless studying to come back to phrases with that; if I don’t be careful, my tendency is to get, like, aggressively sentimental about all these items. Thankfully, that’s not the case with ‘Backstreets.’ The tune feels very private to me, but it manages to take off with out getting carried away.”
“Daniel’s manufacturing and engineering performed a vital position in putting that steadiness. He has a method of understanding what I imply and the place I need to go sonically, generally earlier than I do. As soon as we have been completed recording, he stated to me, ‘I’m gonna make this sound majestic.’ I feel he succeeded.”
Capturing each the solitude of upstate New York and the heartbeat of Manhattan, “Backstreets” mirrors a life break up between worlds – between Switzerland and the USA, previous and current, belonging and looking out. And because the tune gently reminds, “simple, takes time.” Possibly homesickness isn’t one thing to outrun, however one thing to hold with you.
And the rain’s nonetheless beating
On the roof of my cab
No parade for me
On the backstreets of my
Backstreets of my previous
Simple
Takes time
So take it simple
Give it time
The “Backstreets” music video provides to the intimacy of Sam Himself’s songwriting, placing a highlight straight on the artist and his band (and little else).
“The music video testifies to the significance I place on collaboration and authenticity in my work,” he explains. “Though my undertaking is my very own, I’ve come a good distance from making an attempt to do all of it on my own. Whether or not I’m working with my producer, Daniel, my visible director, Stefan Tschumi, who shot the music video, or the world’s biggest residing bass participant, Josh Werner, my artwork is at all times the very best for it.”
“The authenticity half has much less to do with my noble character (though that’s positively an element) than with surrendering to actuality: I at all times find yourself performing a model of myself, irrespective of the position I play or the costume I put on. That’s sort of my curse and my superpower.”
Watch the video for “Backstreets” under, and step into Sam Himself’s world – the place nostalgia and freedom stroll hand in hand.
And the rain retains beating
On the roof of my cab
With the load of defeat
And the reality involves gentle
What a kick within the tooth
To be again right here alive
Not for lack of making an attempt
On the backstreets of my
Backstreets of my previous
Simple
Takes time
So take it simple
Give it time
— —
:: stream/buy Backstreets right here ::
:: join with Sam Himself right here ::
— —
Stream: “Backstreets” – Sam Himself
— — — —
Connect with Sam Himself on
Fb, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram
Uncover new music on Atwood Journal
© Stefan Tschumi
:: Stream Sam Himself ::
