Please introduce yourself. What do you do? Why? What do you want people to know about you?
My name is Sam J Martin, I’m in London born singer songwriter, producer and multi- instrumentalist, known professionally as LAYKS. I’ve just released my sophomore EP “ If This All Ends Tomorrow and I’m about to embark on my first headline European tour in 2024.
I’ve been playing guitar since the age of five and grew up listening to a huge plethora of artists and bands, I started releasing music on my own name in 2018 before flying to LA just before the pandemic and recording with some of my best friends before returning to the UK and announcing my new project LAYKS which has since become my main music project.
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
I would say my connection to my fans and the way that we nurture our relationship with each other is something really special and it’s not something I see a lot of artists really focus on these days.
LAYKS has become such an incredible family and a real safe space for a lot of people, it’s something I pride myself on every day and I’m so endlessly grateful for the people who care so much about this music.
I would say my self-sufficiency and independence are what I’m proudest of. Being independent artist means doing everything yourself from writing, recording, releasing and ultimately promoting your projects to your fan base. This is something I’ve always loved and I really value that visceral connection to every process.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you’re doing what you were born to do.
The first time I played my very first sold-out show in London for our EP launch was such a pivotal moment in my life. Seeing a roomful of my friends and people I love singing my songs back to me was so surreal and it really reconfirmed in my mind how much I love what I do and how grateful I am to live this life.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to go through and how did you grow through it?
I would say my biggest challenge to date (and I think this will always be the case) is my inner self critic, it’s always a tough dance to strike between being self critical and getting things done.
I’ve honestly never felt more comfortable or confident in the music I’m creating than with this new EP. there are also other elements in this industry which always force you to compare yourself to other people but I would say I’ve pretty confidently avoided that by just live in the life that I want to live and making things that bring me happiness.
Because ultimately if I release something that makes me happy, then I can’t wait to play it and I can’t wait for other people to hear it!
Who are the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could elevate your career or business? Why these specific individuals?
I would absolutely love to do a session with John Mayer, seeing him for the first time live was such a life changing experience. it would be great to have a one-to-one session with somebody like Rick Rubin, I’ve always loved everything he creates and just his ethos behind making music really speaks to me.
Sitting down and talking to John Williams about composition would be so amazing, he was probably my first musical memory!
Drop your social media links.
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/sam.james.martin/?hl=en-gb
TikTok : www.tiktok.com/@samjamesmartin
YouTube : ThisIsLAYKS