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Writer's pictureMary Ann

Interview with Pop Singer/Songwriter, Sambo Wolf

Nashville-based Pop singer/songwriter Sambo Wolf recently teamed up with Synthwave artist M.K. Khan of Los Angeles on a brand new collaborative single. The upbeat track is a genre-bending blend of Synthwave, Contemporary Pop and Retro Soul, with Khan providing the synthesized instrumentals and Wolf performing vocals and lead guitar. The rare team-up is a trans-America production, with Khan producing the music in Los Angeles and Wolf recording his part in the studio in Nashville, with the help of producer Wyatt Urban! Read our interview with Sambo Wolf below!


Hi Sambo Wolf! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Did you always want to be a musician or was there a specific moment that something happened that made you think "this is what I want to do with my life." If so, what was it?

Thanks for having me! Great opening question, I'm a little stumped honestly. Thinking back, I was making up songs and dances since before I can remember. I think it helped growing up with my Grandmother's piano staying at our home, as well as my Mom's '69 acoustic Fender. Both talented musicians, and each an inspiration. I suppose it's just something I've always been keen to pick up, and I just adhered to it.


Is there anyone in your family that you can credit as being instrumental in your decision to go into the music field?

I think music is just in our DNA. My Mom wrote the most beautiful, folky love songs when she met my Dad, and my Grandma could play and sing Hymns on piano all day like a rockstar, even into her 90's. They both encouraged me to create and improve.


We are very impressed with your trans-America production with Khan. Having not heard of something like this before, can you explain a little more about having the music produced in Los Angeles and you recording your part in the studio in Nashville?

Sure! Blessed be the power of DM's and e-mail. I was a fan of M.K. Khan's retro-synth vibe as soon as I heard the first track from his first album. I just got the crazy idea to message him on Instagram, asking if I could sing on one of his mixes, and one thing led to another. Much to my excitement, he agreed to create an original beat from his home in Los Angeles, made just for me to sing on. I knew that whatever he recorded was going to be great. A few weeks later, M.K. got back to me with this really groovy music, just as you hear it on the single today. As soon as he sent me to demo, I began writing lyrics. The music spoke to me with such positive energy that it didn't take me long. I took the music to my producer here in Nashville, Wyatt Urban, and we recorded all my vocal parts in his studio. We then went back and recorded my guitar parts. Luckily, M.K. marked it with his approval, and created a rad piece of artwork for it!

What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?

Something along the lines of, “Don't care to much about what other people think. You gotta keep in mind what you want from yourself and stick to that.” I'm pretty sure we were half-drunk at a bar in East Nashville when my friend Harrison from Dirty Names conjured this wisdom at me, and for some reason it always stuck with me. Such clarity!

Now let’s talk food! What is your favorite cuisine to cook?

Easy! I make a mean chili. Making chili is an art of expression for me. I freestyle it with whatever veggies and seasoning I'm feeling in the moment. It's never exactly the same twice, nor should it be!


Do you have a playlist you like to listen to while you cook?

Give me something I can sing to! Lots of power-pop and top 40 on that list. Sometimes I'll make it an adventure and get lost in a culinary world of dream-pop.


What are your top three US cities for food?

Los Angeles, tacos everywhere. Good tacos. Tacos on the beach, tacos on the streets. Austin, Texas, delicious local eateries everywhere, of all kinds. And, of course, you knew I was going to say Nashville. We have more new restaurants opening here yearly than most cities. Worldwide cuisine aplenty, with the best of barbecue and soul food everywhere.

If you had to pick one food to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would that be?

Probably quinoa, because it's versatile and healthy! But for a more fun answer, I could never get tired of truffle burgers.

One food everyone tells you to try, but you just can’t get up the nerve.

I will try just about anything. In fact, I'm open to any wild recommendations! Maybe not too eager for a Vegemite sandwich though.

Most memorable meal while touring. Where were you and what did it involve?

In LA, my former bandmates' mom always made the best authentic homemade burritos for the whole posse. So memorable because it's especially nice to have a delicious home cooked meal after coming back from a road trip with the worst eating habits of fast food and venue menus.

Which three things are always in your home refrigerator?

Always a huge bottle of ketchup, always eggs, and usually enough Chinese takeout to last me a few days. How incriminating is that!

Finally, if you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand who would it be and why?

I'd take a lifetime supply of Arizona Green Tea and drink it in front of any camera they want, gotta love the Ginseng & Honey! Would also love to save on bottled water for the stage. Hook me up Aquafina!



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