Sammi Constantine

Sammi Constantine is an up and coming singer-songwriter with creative talent like no other. Many millennials suffer from mental illness and day-to-day difficulties of all different types. Sammi takes hers in her stride and uses her struggles and hardships as inspiration and strength for her music. Through her music, Sammi is inspiring and showing the world that anything is possible.

What are some of the songs/performances you are working on at the moment?

‘Through My Clothes’ is my current single and it’s going super well on Spotify (Listen Here). Since the release I have a played a few shows and festivals in NSW and more coming up to promote the new single including Snowtunes, Sweaty Palms and supporting Northeast Party House. I’m always working on new music in the background and still deciding on the next project/song.

Why did you start singing and making music?

I’ve been dancing my entire life — since I was 3 — so music has always been in my life. I was convinced that dance was it for me and saw nothing else on my path … until my world kinda got flipped upside down.

At 16 years old I spent a little over 5 and a half weeks at at Westmead Hospital and was admitted to the Adolescent Eating Disorder Inpatient Program. During my time in hospital I was on bed rest for more than half of it and I was forced to stop dancing, leaving me with nothing much to do, other than attempt to catch up on school work and write about what I was experiencing in a journal. Keeping journals eventually lead to poetry, which eventually then turned into lyrics and songwriting.

Although my time in hospital was mostly hard and painful, this gave me some hope and when I was discharged I decided to look more into music as something I could take more seriously and as its not that far from dancing in a creative/self-expression form, it felt like an easy transition for me. Ever since I’ve seen my music reach people I never thought it would and I’ve had some amazing messages from people all over the world about how I’ve helped them to overcome similar battles. For me, this is so rewarding. I imagine myself as that 16-year-old girl in hospital often — to think that I am helping people just like 16-year-old me is so amazing!

What age did you start to make music?

I was 16 when I started writing decent music but I starting writing poetry and playing instruments from the age of 7.

What are some childhood musical memories you have?

Putting on plays and concerts for my parents. Seeing Nikki Webbster at the Olympics and hoping that one day I would get to perform to a crowd like that. I also really liked to sing ‘Blow Up The Pokies’ by The Whitlams at the top of my lungs a little too often.

What was the first song you learnt?

That’s a little hard to remember … but I do remember learning ‘White Flag’ by Dido on karaoke when I was little and trying to remember all the lyrics so I could perform it for my family.

Who are your favourite musicians?

Right now some of my biggest influences are Halsey, Aurora and my friends in the industry who are killing it!

What/who is your biggest non-musical influence?

My mum, my sister and every human who has gone through hardship and come out the other side. People inspire me!

Do you get nervous before performing?

Only sometimes but often I’m more excited rather than nervous! One line into the first song and I’m so comfortable!

Where do you practice and rehearse?

Luckily because my voice is my instrument I rehearse almost anywhere but mostly the shower, the car or in a rehearsal space with my drummer [laughs]. 

What are some of your hobbies outside of music?

Drinking coffee is a big one! But I’m a creative in many ways. If I had the time I’d be painting, drawing and probably writing a book! Anything creative feeds my soul.

Do you still dance?

I dance onstage but professionally or even as a hobby, not so much. My emotional outlet transitioned into songwriting and music after being hospitalised.

I see on your Instagram some posts about sadness before performances. What are some of the struggles you go through? Does it aid your music?

Music is my lifeline. Music is the only universal language and it has the ability to make people feel so many emotions all at the same time. But it’s also an easy place to get lost in the ever-changing industry; it allows people to judge you so quickly and when your life is shared online people read what they want how they want. In my music I talk about my experiences: heartbreak, loss, love. When I’m on stage I retell these stories every time I perform; sometimes it’s an emotional journey.

What triggered you to take your music to a professional level?

I knew it was my purpose and I couldn’t stand the idea of a 9 to 5 when I had too much creativity bursting out of me!

Where do you want to take your music in the future?

If I wasn’t doing music I’d be doing something in social work and mental health. I’d love to collaborate music and mental health awareness in some way once my music has really taken off. At the end of the day my purpose is to help people feel real emotions and I want to move people with my true purpose, which is to write honestly about real life.

What’s next for you?

Hopefully plenty of shows. But mostly just a whole bunch of music and a whole lot of hard work, which I’m excited for!

Sammi is full of talent and so much soul. She is definitely one to watch out for in the music industry. Sammi’s music moves and invokes the soul whilst being fun to dance to. Check out her tunes on SoundCloud, YouTube and Spotify.

Sammi Constantine  
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