A purveyor of sad but sultry bedroom-pop and gloomy yet sparkly indie rock, Brisbane-Meanjin indie artist SAMMM. has brewed another tasty cuppa aimed squarely at the ubiquitous work-life balance.
Now deeper into his 20s, SAMMM. aka Sam Geddes still has plenty of foibles he's working to harness as positives including evading the monotony of life's daily challenges and feeling like he's 'a boy in a man's world'."I wrote 'Whatever You Like' to put together all my feelings about being inadequate as an adult and to then throw those feelings away," shares Sam.
"I think everyone knows how it feels to be pretending you know what you're doing – or feel like you're one of those 'late 20s teenagers'.
"There's a point in your 20s when you realise everyone is pretending to be adults and not many people have it all figured out."
One aspect of life Sam has zero qualms about is leaning into his love of arcade games, 'cause 'adulting' 24/7 is still hard and we need to find the small victories to overcome the slog of life.
"I was one of those kids absolutely forbidden to waste money in the arcade (not that I had any), but as an adult I have fully embraced the nostalgic joy of an arcade," Sam says.
"It's also been our greatest joy as a band to go to Koko's arcade in Sydney every time we're in town for a show. It's open late (like 4am!), features all the best games (I'm getting to those), and it's kind of refreshing to go to a normal arcade.
"While there's been so many awesome arcade-bars popping up in recent years, my friends and I have also enjoyed the sober, highly-competitive fun together.
"So here's my top five arcade games – and if you were someone who was also not allowed in arcades as a kid, I will doubly insist you try them all."
5: Whack A Mole
Classic, simple, not at all confusing or overwhelming like the epilepsy-inducing, flashy-light games reminiscent of a rave. What can I say, it's one of life's simple pleasures.4: Claw Machines
I've spent some time in Taiwan recently, and I have to say these machines are so addictive. Nothing is better than inspecting each machine to see which one will bring home the win (stuffed toy).In Taiwan, these games are everywhere with everything up for grabs: Toys, electronics, laundry power, snacks; all $1 (or 100s of $1s) away. We've got MillionLife in Australia, but maybe it's time to get some broader claw machines around – how about one or two in every live music venue?
3: Dance Dance Revolution (the original dance rhythm game)
The moment we're in the arcade, Casey (SAMMM. bassist) and I are straight to the old-style DDR machines. Let me be honest; we are pretty awful but we still jump up and strut our stuff on easy mode.If you're adventurous, the new range of dance games are next-level sliding, colourful floors and pair-dances, but I'm a simple foot-stomping man.
2: Time Crisis 2
This game is pure nostalgia, although it has become increasingly hard to find a working machine. I stumbled across one in Japan feeling like I found the Holy Grail, only to leave heartbroken when this one too didn't work. I heard there is one at the Rockhampton Cinema if anyone wants to book us for a show up there.1: Taiko No Tatsujin
I have told all my friends about the joys of 'Taiko'. You can also play it on the Switch, but then you're missing out on the actual drum and sticks. High energy and addictive, 'Taiko' has a two-player mode where you verse your friends.I think every band should put those drumming skills to the test and hang out with the best drum friends Don and Katsu. Pretty darn cute if you ask me.
SAMMM. join the likes of Ruby Fields, Adam Newling, The Creases and more playing The Brightside 10 Years Birthday (Brisbane) 31 May.
