Säm Wilder Unveils Deluxe Edition Of ‘Homebound’ — Interview

Check it out, folks! Säm Wilder just dropped the deluxe edition of his fascinating album, ‘Homebound.’ This guy’s music is like a killer combo of heartfelt lyrics, modern Pop beats, and a touch of Soul that’s got fans going wild. And guess what? here’s an exclusive interview that’ll give you an inside look into his creative journey.

1 — What made you decide to switch from the name “Beekwilder” to Säm Wilder?

Beekwilder is my adopted last name from my stepfather. I stopped talking to my biological dad at 14, but my stepdad has been there all my life. I chose to become Sam Beekwilder at the age of 18. At the start of my journey as a musician, the people around me thought using my last name would be a cool artist name, so I went along with it. But after performing Lava Lamps on the Noah Cyrus tour, I realized that my career as Beekwilder could all become very real, and I had to do some serious thinking about whether or not I wanted to represent my family like that for the rest of my career.

I felt like I wanted to feel more of an individual, and less like I’m THE Beekwilder, when there are so many Beekwilders back home. Säm is what my friends had called me ever since I moved to America, as it’s the American way of writing out the Dutch pronunciation of Sam. Säm Wilder felt more like me and sounded more like a dude, and a lot less vague than Beekwilder.

Around the time of the name change, I also started to play piano and make very different music than I did as Beekwilder. The realization that I didn’t want to be stuck with a pseudonym I couldn’t represent, as well as experiencing a clear shift in artistic direction from within – both led me to seek a fresh start by changing my name and recording a new album that reflected the direction I wanted to go towards.

2 — How has this change influenced your music?

The change has allowed me to write about my life, and to not feel confined by a ‘sound’ but feel like my story is the most important factor in the songwriting process. As Beekwilder I experimented a lot with Hip-Hop as my main touchstone, leading to my songs having many one-liners and lots of funky attitude.

There was little room to be serious (and it felt like little room to be taken seriously). When I taught myself piano a few years later, I started writing personal songs about my family, my love life, my struggles with expectations, depression, etc. They felt like songs that I could be proudly performing 20 years down the line – something I didn’t feel with Beekwilder songs.

As Beekwilder I experimented constantly as it was my first time considering myself a songwriter. I must’ve written a song in every genre imaginable. But as Säm Wilder, I had built up enough experience in the studio where I could prioritize my story, and produce the music to support the message, leading to a very eclectic project which ended up being Homebound.

3 — What prompted the decision to release the full, 11-track ‘Homebound (Deluxe)’ album?

I wanted to make sure I closed the chapter on ‘Homebound’ before I moved on to the next project. The 3 songs that got added to ‘Homebound’ in the Deluxe Edition were songs that I’ve spent 100+ hours on and were all made in the same headspace as the other ‘Homebound’ songs.

In my mind, they had always been a part of that project, but I didn’t get to include them in time for the first release. I have a lot of unreleased music in the vault, but it felt appropriate for “Accents,” “You’re Getting Older” and “This Far” to be included in the chapter of ‘Homebound’ instead of anywhere else.

I also wanted to breathe new life into the artwork, as well as redirect attention to the original 8 songs. I put out the 2020 EP in a bit of a rush as I was dying to exist again as an artist after the name change. I believe the songs could have done better if I had a better art direction for them, which I believe I have now for the Deluxe Edition. And with two NMF placements on Spotify, it feels like it is.

And lastly, I am attending a conservatory back home in the Netherlands this year. Since the album is based on the double meaning of the word ‘Homebound,’ it felt right to re-release the project now that I’ve made it Home.

4 — How do these tracks relate to your personal journey as an artist?

All the songs reflect different parts and perspectives of my journey so far. I moved to the other side of the world at 18 on a hunch that I would find something I would be passionate about. A year later I met a studio where I fell in love with making music.

I dropped out of school and music became my number one priority in life. This came paired with many insecurities, a lot of loneliness, and confusion as to what Home really means to me. Due to visa processing and the pandemic, I was unable to go home to see my family for a few years – all the while I was building a new home in Los Angeles because I was chasing a dream that manifested itself after having a passion being awakened within, all just because I happened to meet a studio who liked my voice.

The whole thing felt like a coincidence, while it also made me doubt coincidence even exists. This lead me to feel incredibly motivated to make it happen – for my impulsive decision to dedicate my life to a newfound passion to not be in vain.

This energy is what you hear on tracks like “Overtime” and “Bring It Home.” The other side of that is songs like “What’s Wrong With Me,” “Without,” “This Far,” “Penelope” – songs where I start to doubt if I’m good enough, if I’m disappointing the people I love, if I can carry on like this, etc.

The album reflects who I am and what I’ve been through because every song touches on a different emotion I’ve felt while being in America chasing a dream while having no idea when I’ll be reunited with my family again.

5 — Among the songs on the EP, which one stands out to you the most and why?

It’s hard to pick a favorite, but “Fiending” has always been close to my heart. It’s the first song I produced that made me feel like I had a unique style of songwriting and production. It’s the song that directly inspired the name change.

The vocals were a freestyle, and the beat was a total experiment, yet the finished product is a song so unique, that it truly feels like only I could have made it. That sensation is something I missed while making music as Beekwilder.

“Fiending” is not a part of these 4 songs, but is out on all streaming platforms and is the opening track of ‘Homebound.’ The song structure is quite odd, as it’s just a journey from A to B, with no repeating hooks or verses. It’s an invitation to try something new, for myself as well as for my audience, which is why it’s the opening track.

6 — How has your time studying at Rockacademie in the Netherlands shaped your music and helped you grow as an artist?

At the time of writing this, I’m still in my freshman year, but so far it’s been amazing. The teachers are knowledgeable and supportive, and the students that make up a community of musicians and other artists have been really awesome to work with as well.

I lived in New Mexico during the pandemic, and it was pretty lonely. I realized how important making music with other people is for the creative process. I’m very fortunate to be able to go back to school and learn how to be the best singer I can be, all while I’m writing better songs with better instrumentalists I’ve ever gotten to work with.

I already feel like I’ve grown a lot and I’m stoked that I still have some years to go.

7 — In just three words, how would you describe your latest project?

Genre-fluid, therapy, honesty. The name change and this project are important to me because it feels like I am able to use my songs to tell my story in an artistic yet very honest way.

The lyrics are the message and the production is the vessel for the message. It’s helped me get over certain issues I had with the world and myself.

It is no coincidence that each song sounds like its own universe – I wanted to leave doors open when it came to which genre I belong in, and for my story to be the driving factor behind each song.

8 — Finally, what are your aspirations for the future as an artist?

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