Getting To Know Sam Marder

A feature on Sam Marder, so fans of Almost Amy can get to know him a little better




L2DBlog: Where were you born?

Sam: I was born in Chichester, Sussex, South England.

L2DBlog: When did you first start playing instruments, singing and/or performing?

Sam: I started playing brass instruments at school at the age of about 7 I think, I was always involved in my schools concerts and productions up to to my teens. I started playing bass guitar at 14, I really fell in love with the instrument and instantly made it the most important thing in my life. I have been gigging and working hard ever since.


L2DBlog: How/when did you meet the other band members?

Sam: I got a phone call randomly from Derek when I was about 16, probably one of the first time's I had even spoken to someone with an American accent! He explained to me that he and Mark had rung up my music college (ACM) asking for a good bass player to play for Almost Amy, and they were given my number. I travelled up to london to check it out, met Derek first and than Mark turned up shortly after with his horrendously long big hair-do he had at the time. We jammed together and really kicked it off and I've played for Almost Amy ever since. I met Harry last summer and instantly had the type of connection a great rhythm section should have, and meeting Emily came just a few weeks later. Emily and I were both happy to find another half Chinese Brit with exactly the same chicken pox scar on our nose! strange huh?


L2DBlog: What has been your favorite vacation ?

Sam: A school ski trip to the Austrian Alps when I was 15. It was my first time skiing and being with that much snow! Being a hyper kid on holiday with a huge bus full of other hyper kids in a snowy environment without your parents like that is unbeatable. A absoloutely brillant week!


L2DBlog: What do you miss the most about London?

Sam : Well, my home is actually about an hour or so from London, and is an awful lot greener! I come from a small village in the countryside. I miss walking my dog with my girlfriend, and having draught cider in a English pub. Obviously I miss my parents and all my friends too, but I cant wait to show them what LA life is like for me!


L2DBlog: What is your favorite thing about LA/the US?

Sam: The rock and roll culture of the city is the best. Its the dream place for a young musician from the UK to make it too. I hope I never lose the excitement I have when I see the Morrison hotel gallery or the Guitar Center that Slash visits on Sunset.


L2DBlog: What is your favorite Almost Amy song and why?

Sam: My favourite Almost Amy song is a new one called waterworx, I think thats how we're going to spell it! It rocks and grooves so well, and I've been singing it to myself for weeks! It's one of those songs that evolved really quickly, and I think they're the best ones.


L2DBlog: Who are your favorite bands/musicians?

Sam: My favourite bands are Doves, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, Jamiroquai, Radiohead, Mars Volta, The Streets, and so many more bands, I wont go on any further! My favourite bass players are James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius and Jamiroquai's Stuart Zender.

L2DBlog: What are your favorite movies?

Sam: My favourite movies are Shawshank Redemption, Saving Private Ryan, Angus!! and Pulp Fiction.

L2DBlog: What is your favorite book?

Sam: I'll be honest now and say I dont really read any book books. So I'll have to say James Jamerson's signature bass licks or the best of Red Hot Chili Peppers play along bass book!

L2DBlog: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Sam: Jam and have some drinks with friends is probably my favourite thing to do. I love spending time with my girlfriend and I also love playing videogames.

L2DBlog: What is your favorite food(s)?

Sam: Coming from a Chinese house where I eat lots of rice based dishes, I really love having a well cooked roast dinner, turkey, lamb or beef, they're all good! Nothing beats it. I like Shepards pie and my mums Chickpea Curry. My favourite take out food is Mexican or Indian food, I'm into my spicy chilli's!


L2DBlog: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Sam: Hopefully still living the dream!!!


L2DBlog would like to say a HUGE thank-you to Sam for taking time to answer these questions !! He is extemely talented and a very nice guy too !