Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Burt
Sam, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Gunnison Colorado. My family was super into the outdoors, so it was cool to be in such a beautiful place. I’ve had a strong interest in music for as long as I can remember, and I began learning the piano when I was 6. I came to Denver when I was 17, which was shortly after I got into producing music on a computer. I went to school at CU Denver for Music Business and met lots of people who were doing cool things in the music industry. I produced and recorded music throughout my time in college and the pandemic, and then began working in the industry when the lockdown was lifted. I started as a stagehand, and now I pay my bills by working as an instrument technician and a DJ. I’ve been releasing original music consistently since I my freshman year of college in 2017, and I played my first original show in 2022. I’m now releasing music under two names, (soon to be three) and playing original sets regularly around the city. I’ve had the opportunity to open for some really incredible acts, and I’m working to gain popularity in other states and on the internet so I can eventually either send myself on a small tour, or come along on the right one as support. I really love creating music, and I’m starting to really enjoy sharing it too.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A smooth road isn’t quite what I would call it, there have definitely been plenty of obstacles, but that’s what I was expecting. I didn’t allow myself to have too many illusions when I embarked on this journey, just the right amount. Everyone told me this would be really hard and I believed them, but I’ve still known that it’s possible to make it work and I have kept going. There are lots of defeating and discouraging moments, and it’s tempting to give up when there are too many of them in a row, but there are also the high flying moments and the satisfying little steps. I have a very long way to go before I will feel like I’m actually “doing it”, but I’ve also come so far from where I started. It is not a linear path, it can feel like a crawl sometimes or a whirlwind at others, but I try not to let the highs or the lows affect the effort. My job is to keep going till the next obstacle, and learn how to get past it. I just have to keep putting in the work, both when it’s easier and when it’s harder. There will always be obstacles, it’s about learning how to be nimble.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is music. I’m primarily a composer and a producer, but I’m also a singer, songwriter, performer, DJ, sound engineer, and backline tech. I specialize in creating very unique music, ranging from hyperpop to experimental cinematic bass. I’m known for my original hybrid sets in which I play my own songs, sing them, play my homemade keytar (The Spacehammer) and usually finish with an auto tuned harmonica solo before tossing a unique “Abrii” hat into the crowd. The hats are each totally different from each other, and they’re special tickets to a secret event far in the future. I write cool stuff all over them and give them a serial number and sign them and document them, then I toss one into the crowd at the end of my set. If you’ve got an Abrii hat, make sure you keep it 😉 I’m known for my unique style and appearance. I identify as non binary, which is a label I use so people understand that I’m going to wear whatever I think I look cool in. I’m not huge on labels, but I’ve found them to be very helpful for others to wrap their heads around me. I’m also known for my pop DJ sets in which I play y2k pop, top 40, and sprinkle in some electronic songs and 140 dance music. I’m known for two separate musical projects and their different sounds, (Abrii and Sam Burt) which can be streamed anywhere music is available. I’m known in the Denver music industry as an excellent backline technician and troubleshooter. I’m frequently on stages like Mission Ballroom and Red Rocks setting up drums for high profile bands and ensuring their gear runs smoothly for their show. I’ve scored several short films and commercials, and even an entire PBS documentary. I’m seen around town on my onewheel, frequently found at Larimer Lounge, and there are hundreds of stickers of my name around the city. I think I set myself apart from others by doing exactly what I want and resisting the urge to copy others. It’s the scarier path, but I believe originality is far more valuable than imitation.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor (or a few) is definitely important. Honestly, I believe if you put yourself in the right settings, sometimes your mentors actually find you. When I reflect on my mentors, I realize that meeting lots of them were actually the results of being in the right place at the right time, so you have to be in as many places at as many times as possible. My advice for networking is to find the places that the things you want to be doing are happening, and go to them. Show your face, make friends, connect online, and participate in the scene. I don’t usually recommend like “Intentionally networking” in the field of live music. I’ve found that if people can see that you want something from them, they’re quick to distance themselves. Nobody out here is looking for someone to help, they’re offering what help they have to give to people they already like. Build some momentum on your own, be authentic, be interested in other people’s projects, be open minded, be curious, and your mentor will find you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samwburt/profilecard/?igsh=ZGc1eWhmdnE5ZTk5
- Soundcloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/sam-burt-17061631
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Samwburt?fbclid=IwAR2aZakl59QGLlZzIBcCQcQZ7Xmg8a8gd9V3UF4XJohTWC83a8fg_s1Cx5c
Image Credits
Mariya Ilyina
