An independent singer-songwriter from Perth, Sam McGovern has been building his confidence onstage since debuting at an open-mic night at Fremantle's Mojos Bar in late 2019.
Currently studying at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, earlier this year Sam appeared on 'The Voice Australia' turning two chairs after his rendition of U2's classic 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'.After his experience being mentored by Keith Urban, McGovern is building on same serious career momentum – that begun last year when his debut single 'Grow' was nominated in the 2021 WAM Song Of The Year awards – with his first run of national shows supporting Jordy Maxwell, which includes dates in Melbourne and Sydney.
With his recorded version of 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' just released, Sam sits down for an in-depth chat about his music as well as answering some lighter, fun questions.
Who is... Sam McGovern has fast become a name to watch. The 22-year-old singer-songwriter, guitarist and WAM Song Of The Year Nominee (2021) has been selling out shows and attracting huge audiences at iconic venues all over the state; the most recent being a sold-out headline at Mojos Bar to a packed full house.
Coming off of his recent appearance on 'The Voice Australia' (2022) where he turned two chairs and worked with Keith Urban, Sam has recently released his highly anticipated full studio cover of 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For', his rendition he performed as his blind audition on 'The Voice'.
The Perth local was born and raised by a strong combination of music and the ocean. From a young age, Sam had either a guitar in hand or a surfboard under his arm, these two hobbies therefore became second nature to him.
Spending most of his time on the road travelling the coast, Sam derives experiences from those moments and captures them in songs. He approaches songwriting as a way of expressing feelings that come unspoken in his life, when words fail, music speaks.
His stories are told through heartfelt and honest lyrics that unravel a deeper meaning. After huge demand from around the country, Sam is set for his first Australian tour supporting Jordy Maxwell.
I sound like... I take my inspiration from artists such as John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Sting, Ben Howard, Sam Fender and Ziggy Alberts. I'd say my current sound is similar to these artists, but what is yet to be released for me definitely shows a stronger connection to these artists/ scope for bigger sounds.
My first gig... I ever played was an open-mic night at Mojos Bar in Fremantle around late 2019/ early 2020. It was a small crowd with some strangers and friends.
I played a few covers and a couple original songs. I have NEVER been so nervous in my life. I was sat down on a stool and I will never forget my legs uncontrollably shaking from nerves. I've never played a show sitting down since then, PTSD.
When did you settle on your artistic name, and was it a unanimous decision... Well, being a 'solo' singer-songwriter act going under my own name was almost a given. Some people do find 'McGovern' hard to spell/ pronounce sometimes but I'm sure that'll change with time.
In the studio I usually... Try to prepare myself as much as I can, get a good sleep the night before, drink lots of water etc. When it comes to studio time I try to be as productive as possible and open to ideas, yet still taking time to enjoy the process and have fun.
The best work is always made when you enjoy the process, which is definitely why I did horrible in my ATAR exams, they were not fun haha.
If I could tour with anyone... John Mayer without a doubt. He is my biggest inspiration and is the reason today I am pursuing a career in music. I know every song off by heart, word for word. He has such a diverse discography of albums and as a live performer he is just phenomenal especially as a full band.
Social media is... Definitely essential to build a career in music; it's crazy how much these days social media can quite literally kickstart/ create an artist's career, and all it can take is one video. I definitely have a routine with my socials.
It's important to stay relevant online. I'm really trying to harness TikTok at the moment, posting as much as I can and it has paid off.
There is a sad part to how much emphasis is put on artists for social media though; sometimes it feels it's made to be more important than the actual art form of music, hopefully this changes.
I'm the first to say it though, as important social media is, it's even more important to realise it's just a highlight reel, to never compare yourself to others and also to take time away from it. As said by Billy Joel's 'Vienna': "Take your phone off the hook and disappear for a while."
My favourite app at the moment is... I'm no gamer, but I secretly love the mobile game 'Clash Of Clans'; me and a few friends have been playing it for a while.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... That is a very long list. Spend a day with me and you'd have a list yourself.
Life on the road can be... It is a blessing. I have definitely clocked up way too many kms on my Subi over the past few years and due for a new car soon haha. It has created so many core memories and experiences.
I love being on the road as much as I can be; it became a part of life especially growing up in WA, headed on road trips up north and down south. I've done my fair share of shows around WA but am now super fortunate to be headed on my first national tour in October/ November with Jordy Maxwell.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... Lemons and manuka honey for tea and fresh blueberries.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Being a surfer and the adventurous type, I've had many dangerous situations; the main two would be at a wave in Margaret River called The Box.
It's a heavier wave that breaks on shallow reef just under 1km out from shore; it’s a wave surfed on the world tour of surfing with the WSL. It has sent many people to hospital, me included.
Other than having the scariest wipeout of my life that caused the worst injury I've had, we've also been chased out of the water from a shark there; it's a love-hate relationship with the wave.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson... Once again, John Mayer. I have invested myself far too much into his career and wouldn't be surprised if I knew things he's forgotten about himself haha!
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? I've always been a country town lover; any town that has no street lights is always bliss.
But I would definitely love to experience living in iconic cities/ places such as Paris – a humble abode down a cobblestone lane would be a dream, with a local cafe and fresh baguettes a short walk away.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Bruce Lee, John Mayer and Gordon Ramsay (because you definitely can't trust me with the cooking).
I've had a Bruce Lee quote stuck above my bed frame since I was 18. I admire how driven and dedicated he was to his craft, I aspire to do the same. John Mayer for obvious reasons.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Please don't put that pressure on me ahh! Cooking is definitely something to work on. But I can cook a mean curry, I think.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I love dogs! But unfortunately I've never had one, my Dad never let me :( but once I have my own place I'd definitely love an Australian Shepherd or similar.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... I've never been a drinker, so a case with a 1962 Stratocaster guitar inside? Cheers :)
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... I make sure to gym at least once a week, very lucky to be a part of a surf club with a gym that overlooks the ocean, so that makes it more tempting to visit.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? My parents raised me well enough to make my bed in the morning, tidy my room, keep everything neat, clean up after myself, but I seem to be horrible at emptying and taking the trash out, my poor housemate.
Do you have any phobias... I was always scared of the dark. I'm pretty sure I slept with a lamplight until I was 12, maybe older. I sometimes still run to my room after turning the lights off.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Well, I have already been on 'The Voice' in 2022. It was the most insane experience and I am forever grateful for it, so that's been ticked off the list. Definitely would be open to 'Survivor' or something along those lines. My reality TV days may be over though.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Would definitely be one of my best mates Jason, who accompanies me with guitar occasionally. It's always something stupid, random, and sometimes mean, but it means well, haha.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Not quite 'takeaway' but there's a 24/7 gourmet IGA called Taylor Road about ten minutes from where I live.
I've always said if there's one food store I'd lock myself in during an apocalypse this would be it. Filled with the most insane food, pastries you can imagine. Usually muffins can be risky and disappointing; their looks deceiving of their taste, but the ones here are definitely worth a late-night drive.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Definitely Broseph from the kids cartoon 'Stoked'; other than our look being pretty identical and love for surfing, we definitely have similar chilled personalities.
Last show you binge-watched? I have an addictive personality so stay away from anything that tempts me, so I hardly watch TV and have never had a Netflix account surprisingly. Once upon a time I watched over half of 'Game Of Thrones' in one week, never again. I think I've been logged out of my ex's Netflix account, dammit.
Sam McGovern 2022 Tour Dates
Sat 8 Oct - Froth Craft (Bunbury)Sat 29 Oct - The Workers Club (Melbourne)
Fri 4 Nov - La La La's (Wollongong)
Sat 5 Nov - OAF Gallery (Sydney)
Sun 6 Nov - Shady Palms (Central Coast)
* all shows headlined by Jordy Maxwell
