Few moments are more sacred than the reprieve Saturday night provides from the daily grind of school and work. Its importance is meant to be emphasized, and thus, a feature dedicated to “doing the night right” was born. Saturday Night Sessions are set around energizing mixes meant to get the (socially distanced) party started. New or old, each episode has one cornerstone thing in similarity: they serve as the perfect backdrop for the weekend pregame.
Sam Blacky can’t seem to sit still, and her fans have been reaping the benefits of this tendency for years. This year, though, may be the biggest one of them all when it comes to the model, DJ, and now music producer’s output. Sam Blacky, whose real name is Samantha Black, began modeling at a young age and has been featured in campaigns ranging from Nike and Guess all of the way to Super Dry and Playboy.
After moving to Australia, she fell in love with DJing, and her career performing live took off swiftly. Black went from pursuing music to performing over 120 gigs a year and traveling the world as a result. Her style is a fusion of the many sub genres of house ranging from deep to tech to even infusions of tribal house cuts. Her performances are the perfect soundtrack to a European beach club or poolside performance, and now Black’s endless desire to push the boundaries of her own capabilities have expanded into the realm of music production.
Black discusses her transition into being a music producer, sharing, “I always knew it was the next step but I was so afraid. I played around with Ableton for years. My ex, Thomas Jack, downloaded it onto my computer for me and I got some lessons. Then I just messed around with it, putting out remixes and little things. Finally, I started to link with amazing producers through the years to help build my sound… that took about 4 years, until I found my current team out in Norway!”
Four years later, Black has proven that her journey to becoming a music producer has been worth the wait. At the beginning of the year, she announced that she would not only come out with her very first EP, but that she would be launching her own record label as the home for her forthcoming releases. Over the course of 2021, she has released debut single, “Too Late,” energy-infused “Body,” emotive Madeline Austin collaboration “Paradise,” and pulsing “No More.”
Now her debut EP, Summer Solstice, is out in full thanks to the release of the final and long awaited single from the compilation, “La Noche.” Black has crafted five tracks that take listeners on a journey through a range of house music productions, just like her DJ sets. She has a proven knack for pairing intoxicating vocalists with steady driving beats. While each song has a distinctive style, all five will find a seamless home in Black’s live sets.
Her full EP is out now via her own Stabby Records, which is another home for Black’s renewed musical focus and desire to push the boundaries of the dance music landscape. Female empowerment has become a goal that Black has intertwined with her own musical aspirations, and the label will be a place where she can make this a reality.
She shares, “I would love to lean heavy on the female movement aspect and support female producers and artists. It will never stray too far from my style of house/ tech house/ tribal house, but I want everyone to bring their own flare to it. I definitely won’t sign someone or something I wouldn’t play out myself!”
In honor of her new EP and in celebration of the house music that encapsulates her style, Black has crafted an hour long Saturday Night Session. The mix perfectly highlights Black’s X TRACK EP singles while taking listeners on an hour long journey that draws inspiration from a variety of the many places Black has performed from Ibiza to Mykonos to Mexico City. When asked what her Saturday Night Session would get listeners ready for, Black responds, “All my new songs will be in there, along with a mix up of tech house, tribal house, melodic house, and vocal house! Very vibey :)”
Featured Image: Matt Graham
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What led you to start producing and putting out original music after being a successful model and DJ for so long?
I always knew it was the next step but I was so afraid. I played around with Ableton for years. My ex, Thomas Jack, downloaded it onto my computer for me and I got some lessons. Then I just messed around with it, putting out remixes and little things. Finally, I started to link with amazing producers through the years to help build my sound… that took about 4 years, until I found my current team out in Norway!
Creatively, what are the differences in your mindset and process when it comes to producing versus DJing?
It’s completely different. DJing is so fun because you get lost in song hunting and find such cool new music, then just compile it together and see what vibes/sounds good and freestyle from there! Producing for me is very stressful and tedious but once you finally get an idea off the ground it becomes so fun and an amazing creative outlet.
Can you tell us more about your vision for Stabby Records?
I would love to lean heavy on the female movement aspect and support female producers and artists. It will never stray too far from my style of house/ tech house/ tribal house but I want everyone to bring their own flare to it. I definitely won’t sign someone or something I wouldn’t play out myself!
How does it feel to have your first EP finally coming out?
I can’t even describe the excitement and relief! I was nervous at first but that went away pretty quickly because I’m just so happy and proud that I’ve finally done it. It’s been a very long time coming and it truly was my biggest dream.
Can you tell us more about your hobbies outside of music and who you are when you aren’t behind the DJ Board?
Honestly, I love CHILLEN. I like to relax, hang out with my corgi -Mochi, my family, go to the beach, play tennis, go to work out classes, and sleep! I’m also a big movie buff so I love zoning out for a day or two to just relax. Traveling also is a huge hobby of mine but it’s sort of been interlinked with my career so I guess it’s more work now than not!
Where has been your favorite place to perform?
Mexico City really has my heart. I have performed in so many countries and cities but that is definitely one of my favorites. I also love Mykonos and Ibiza, Europe, Tulum, I can’t really choose, that’s a tough one!
What kind of a Saturday Night will your Saturday Night Session get listeners ready for?
All my new songs will be in there, along with a mix up of tech house, tribal house, melodic house, and vocal house! Very vibey 🙂
