Sam Shinazzi

Biography

Sam Shinazzi is a singer-songwriter based in Sydney Australia, and has been playing shows as a solo act since around the year 2000. Up until 2005 he had played under the name of C-Minus Project. Some may be surprised to learn that he actually spent a long time as a drummer.

"From age thirteen the drums were my life. I took lessons for a number of years with Tony Keep, who was not only an influence on me musically but also personally. Every Monday night we'd discuss drums and music as well as life in general; it was during my teenage years and he was somewhat older than me. He was so open minded about music and knowledgable; definitely someone to admire".

After high school, Sam quite literally spent a year teaching himself basic rhythm guitar and started dabbling in songwriting and singing. ('Birthday' and 'Cold Winters Day' were both early compositions). Despite this, the drums were still his main instrument. The highlight of his drumming life was LANDSPEED, a three piece band that existed from 1994 to 1996 give or take a year, with singer-guitarist Shannon Dixon.

Heavily influenced by Sub Pop acts such as Eric's Trip and Codeine, they played extensively in Sydney and on the Central Coast of New South Wales what would later be referred to as 'post rock', 'slowcore' and perhaps even 'emo'. A very young Adam 'T-Bone' Taylor joined LANDSPEED in it last and best year.

"We were extremely young and kind of wild; living in the inner city and not sleeping much. We'd be out watching bands every night or were playing shows ourselves; and when we were not doing that we'd just hang out in our little group of friends. Every so often we'd go up the coast because that's where Shannon and our friend Scott McIntyre were from. They'd make me go on adventures and I'd make them climb bridges. It was a crazy time everyone experiences in one way or another. Drinking plenty and doing other things you hopefully grow out of.

This made Landspeed shows either terrific or terrible. Depending on when you saw us we were either totally committed or a shambles. This is one of the few regrets I have with the band and a lesson I learnt for the future; to always play like it could be your last time ever".

Landspeed's EP sold out, as did the 7". A second EP was recorded but never released. Maybe one day.
All the while Sam had been writing songs. "I just kept writing. For every song that I kept, I'd lose five. And I kept doing this until I had what seemed like a decent set of songs. I made many cassette recordings for my immediate friends like Liz, Scott, Shannon, Leah and a few others. It sounds stupid but I didn't realise that overseas bands and artists were doing this kind of thing as well, commonly known as 'lo-fi'. It was the only recording device I had really ... I'd put an hour of songs on there, make little covers for them. Unfortunately other people have some of these that I wish I could take back. There is a core group that have everything of mine and that is okay, but there were also some passing strangers which is not good. My friends joke about releasing 'The Early Years' which is a worry ... although having said that there is probably some okay songs that I have totally forgotten about. I was writing lots and lots of songs."

Finding others to play with would prove harder. Eventually friend Geoff Towner became interested and the two ended up rehearsing weekly on Wednesdays for quite a few months in Geoff's bedroom in Newtown. The lack of a drummer and an invitation to help form El Mopa was too good for Geoff to refuse. Landspeed still kept Sam busy on the drums. Friend Adam 'Wes' Gregorace liked the sketchy demos he had heard and brought with him Wally Walton on drums. C-Minus was born, playing their first show at Sam's close friend and supporter Liz Payne's twenty first birthday party 15th June 1996. Also on the bill were Gerling and Landspeed. Landspeed lost it's momentum on a personal level.

"We never really broke up. I think Shannon lost the enthusiasm and wanted a rest from it. We just have never gotten back into it ... there were no fights or dramas".

In 1997 Sam released a ninety minute cassette under the name of The C-Minus Project, titled 'Late For June'. It contained twenty nine songs of which twenty four were originals. It was recorded onto a one track tape deck with samples.

"I had all these songs and no label ... we were playing as a band. So I figured if I was making all these seperate tapes for my friends, why not make one master for everyone".

It was sold in selected stores, at shows and via the internet. For a rather independent release it did surprisingly well.

"I am proud of that. The songs for the most part are well written but my voice has changed dramatically, due to growth and constant practise. One day I would love to release an edited CD version, without the cover songs and a few of my originals that now irk me".

C-Minus played lots of shows in a short amount of time. Sometimes with great bands (Underground Lovers, Ratcat, Smudge, Bluebottle Kiss, Knievel, Glide...), sometimes with terrible bands (?).

"I didn't realise it at the time but it was all a learning experience. Singing in public. It almost felt like growing up in the inner city music scene. I didn't know what I was doing, it wasn't perfect by any means but it felt right".

The only release was a split 7" with heroes Smudge that actually made the charts and proceeded to sell out. The band disbanded in 1998. 1999 was spent writing and learning how to play on his own, whilst studying for a BA degree at Sydney University.

"It was a time when I could have just stopped music altogether ... but I didn't. It made me stronger and there was just something making me write songs. It was a year in which I did not play much at all in public, and again I did not know it at the time but looking back I can see I was readying myself for something ... writing a heap of songs I would not get tired of ... practising every night in my room."

Throughout the year 2000 Sam began to rebuild a following. Playing both solo and with guest musicians under the name of The C-Minus Project, the live shows were hitting the mark and the recording of the album 'Less Than Perfect Day' began to take shape. He also recorded a solo/acoustic mini-album CD 'Long Drive Home'.

In 2001 Sam toured Tasmania and Melbourne several times and released 'Long Drive Home'. The live shows became more frequent and were starting to be praised by most that saw them, culminating in a show with longtime influence Evan Dando who requested that The C-Minus Project play. (As his career has continued, Sam has been thrilled to play with some wonderful artists from both Australia and around the world including Bonnie Prince Billy, Mountain Goats, The Pernice Brothers, Crooked Fingers, Josh Rouse, Lou Barlow, Buffalo Tom, Mark Gardener, Jose Gonzalez, Hayden, Gina Villalobos, Micah P Hinson, Chris Brokaw, Machine Translations, Josh Pyke, Holly Throsby, Darren Hanlon and Art of Fighting amongst others).

"I love playing with my heroes, and I love playing with acts who I have in my collection. I feel like I am giving back something to these artists who have given me a whole lot of enjoyment".

2002 saw Sam play many more shows and he finished recording his debut full length album 'Less Than Perfect Day' which finally saw it's release, albeit delayed, in March 2003. The launch at the Annandale Hotel saw an allstar line up of Shinazzi, Graeme Trewin, Robert Cranny, Tessa Benjamin and Beau Cassidy perform album tracks and older material to an enthusiastic crowd.

"I usually enjoy most shows I play, but that night at the Annandale was one of the highlights. Playing with such good friends and with a healthy turnout, I remember we performed really well. I wasn't even that nervous ... although I am pretty sure it was the first time my parents have seen me play. I recall drinking afterwards with most of the band and a lot of the punters at the show. I was exhausted but happy".

'Less Than Perfect Day' was critically acclaimed by press Australia wide, most stating that Sam's honest and direct approach was a refreshing change, and that he was a welcome addition to Australia's more unique and talented songwriters. 2003 also saw another Sam Shinazzi related release. A year of co-writing with Amercian alt-country singer Jenny Queen resulted in her debut album 'Girls Who Cry Need Cake' being released throughout Australia, the UK and Europe. Sam co-wrote eight of the ten tracks with Jenny, specifically writing 'Lullabye For A Ghost' and 'Between the Riverbank and the Highway' for his new friend. The album was received extremely well by the worldwide music media, and was still selling to new fans three years on. Sam joined Jenny for many live shows and media committments inbetween promoting his own album, and often combined both duties at the same time.

Throughout 2003 and 2004, Sam began to headline his own shows and also started to write new tunes for what would be his next album.

"The end of 2003 and most of 2004 was a very bad time for me personally. I never thought I would say such a cliched thing but I think, perhaps, music saved me. Other people's music and the fact that my own music was keeping me moderately busy. I was trying to promote my album, still had Jenny Queen duties and I had joined Cameron Webb in Seaworthy. I was not only writing my second album, but would end up recording it soon as well".

The bulk of recording for 'Stories You Wouldn't Believe' was done in the latter half of 2004 by Sam and Adam 'Wes' Gregorace. Taking the opposite approach to 'Less Than Perfect Day', they limited the number of guest musicians and spent a lot less time tracking. They also recorded with a more live sound for most of the tracks. Wayne Connolly was brought in to mix the album, and did an amazing job. Mastering legend Don Bartley put the finishing touches to the album.

In February and March of 2005, Sam travelled to the USA for the first time. In NYC he wrote eight new songs with Jenny Queen, and met publishing and label representatives. He went on to play shows in other areas including Washington DC, Longbeach and Los Angeles. His first experience playing overseas went very well, selling cd's to punters and getting callbacks for his solo shows. (He also enjoyed many burritos, beers and bagels).

"I had the most amazing time in America, and it completely refreshed my outlook on a lot of things; from playing music to life in general. I matured in good ways; became more independent. I learnt more about people and different cultures. I saw things. I thought about things a heck of a lot with the help of some space and distance. I'm sure I could have done all this without travelling ... but I was travelling ... and that is what happened. I met many people, and I got to catch up with some of my dearest friends in the world. I saw Katie Holmes in the flesh and my heart stopped (this was BC ... before Cruise).

I travelled through Jersey for god's sake! I met some beautiful people I wanted to take home with me, or whom I wanted to stay with. I missed Sydney but I loved the States. I had a blast".

With the release of 'Stories You Wouldn't Believe', Sam Shinazzi's music gained a wider audience and won over many more supporters. The album was his first official overseas release and found acclaim with the press and punters in the UK and throughout Europe.

In Australia, a younger audience was also starting to connect with Sam's songs. Adam 'T-Bone' Taylor joined the band, and was playing music with Sam again for the first time since Landspeed. By the end of their touring for 'Stories You Wouldn't Believe', it was a new look line-up with Sam and Tessa Benjamin being joined by Adam Taylor, Bruno Brayovic (Peabody) and Anthony The (Skull Squadron). Both as a duo and as a five piece band, Sam toured constantly from July 2005 through to June 2006 across Australia. A national tour with Crooked Fingers was the highlight, as was playing sold out shows with Jose Gonzalez and Mountain Goats. Sam also drew great crowds for his headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne, and opened The Great Escape Festival in April 2006.

2007 was spent writing and recording his third album 'Then I Held My Breath'. Sam spent three weeks writing the album in solitude, and then spent the rest of the year laying down tracks that would form the album. Adam 'Wes' Gregorace again engineered the album, and together with Sam produced fourteen songs of which twelve would find themselves released in September 2008. Wayne Connolly mixed the album, and William Bowden did a wonderful job mastering it.

"I started out playing songs in my room. Slowly but steadily, I have been getting positive responses to them. I want to be respected as a performer and musician in general but deep down, I think everyone who plays music wants to be respected as a songwriter. I write songs to express myself and anything after that is a bonus; admittedly I do tend to forget this sometimes. The music lets me express myself in ways that would otherwise be impossible. It has taken me to places in both Australia and overseas I would probably not have seen if I wasn't playing music. I have had the pleasure of not only playing with some heroes but also kind of getting their nod of approval, which for whatever reason, seems to be important to me.

Music has placed me in some wonderful situations and I have made some amazing friends from it. For that, I am really thankful. When people hear my songs they seem to enjoy them which makes me happy. It's what I do, it feels natural and I am going to keep doing it for a long time because I am most happy with myself when I'm creating or playing music".