Long-time songwriter Sam Short made her solo artist debut in 2022 with the release of “Already Mine.” The viral empowerment anthem introduced her rapidly growing fanbase to her ability to turn the most vulnerable and taboo subjects into devastatingly beautiful pop songs.
Her latest song, “I Wouldn’t Love Me,” finds dysphoria in euphoria. On the track, she holds nothing back as she opens up about mental health, depression, therapy, and toxic relationships.
We chatted with Sam about the single, her highly anticipated debut EP due out this Fall, and more.
What inspired your new single “I Wouldn’t Love Me”?
I wrote “I Wouldn’t Love Me” when I was at my lowest. I was seeing someone new, and honestly just felt like a burden. At the time, I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that someone would choose to be with me.
This single is one of your most vulnerable. What has it been like opening up about mental health, depression, therapy, and toxic relationships?
It’s been equal parts scary and liberating. It’s liberating because I feel like I’m finally being honest in my music, but it’s terrifying because I am essentially stripping myself naked. I also never want my story to affect anyone else in a negative way.
There are so many comments on your TikToks from people saying how much they relate to this song in particular. What has it been like to have those fans see themselves in the song?
It’s weird. It’s both reassuring and awesome, but also really sad. It’s really devastating that so many people are suffering. But, I guess it’s great that we can all find a sense of community on apps like TikTok and through music in general. It’s layered for sure.
You’ve written for other artists. How does the process differ when you’re writing for yourself versus for another artist?
When I write for other artists, I put on a completely different hat. In a way, I actually feel less pressure. I definitely let melody drive my work and I flow. When I write for myself, I’m super detail oriented and lyric driven. In a way, I find my artist project to be stressful because I feel like the way in which I articulate what I’m trying to say has to be perfect. All in all, I just love writing songs though — no matter the context.
If you could set fans up in the perfect environment to listen to the single, what do you imagine it looking like?
I love this question. In an office with their therapist? Ha.
How do you hope fans feel after listening to the single?
I hope that this song can bring a sense of peace to listeners dealing with mental health issues — peace in the sense that they’re not alone and that they have music that can help speak their language.
What can fans expect from your upcoming debut EP this Fall?
Sonically, they can expect a bit of a different direction from me. I am leaning more into my roots, getting a bit folky. I’m super excited.
What is one quote that you have heard or that you go by that you want to ECHO out to the world?
I love this Lana Del Rey quote:
“My life is my poetry; my love making is my legacy. My thoughts are about nothing, and beautiful, and for free.”