Sam Himself

Biography

Sam Himself – Switzerland’s acting ‘King of Tears,’ New York’s leading Fondue Western™ baritone, and newly minted HBO Max alumnus (as heard on the soundtrack of HBO's Sex And The City sequel, And Just Like That, S2E02) – serves up his Fondue Western™️ sound in German for the first time: to celebrate his showcase at this year's Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany, the Basel-based New Yorker-by-choice covers "Eisbär" by Grauzone.

The Swiss post-punk heroes (co-founded by the now internationally renowned Stéphan Eicher) released their arctically cool original version in 1981. Today, "Eisbär" ("Polar Bear" in German) is considered a classic of the New German Wave or Neue Deutsche Welle. Far from a mere homage, Sam uncovers longing and melancholy beneath the polar bear's fur, without resorting to pathos – or letting the cult status of the original intimidate him. Stylistically confident as ever, Sam Himself bows to his role models for a Swiss artist with international charisma, sounding, true to Grauzone's iconoclastic ethos, like himself throughout. The result is hotly danceable, thanks in no small part to the mix by Daniel Schlett (Iggy Pop; The War on Drugs), Sam's longtime producer and "Second Beatle", as well as the mastering by Greg Calbi (David Bowie; Bruce Springsteen).

Earlier this year, Sam Himself shared his second album, 'Never Let Me Go' (Jan. 27, 2023 via Sony). The ten-track LP marks the latest collaboration of "Swiss-born, Gotham-bred" (SPIN) indie rocker Sam Koechlin with his longtime producer / ‘Second Beatle,’ Daniel Schlett (Iggy Pop; The War on Drugs) and mastering engineer Greg Calbi (David Bowie; Bruce Springsteen), featuring Chris Egan (Solange; Blood Orange) on drums and Josh "JD" Werner (Ghostface Killah; CocoRosie) on bass.

'Never Let Me Go' is Sam's soundtrack for the first day after what looked like the last, according to the two-time Swiss Music Award nominee himself, buoyed by the madness of a rapidly accelerating career trajectory, the thrill of touring again, and the promise of a reopening world whose studios, stages and dance floors we get to share again at last. To dress for the occasion, Sam teamed up with Swiss fashion house YVY for a signature line of Sam Himself Buckle Trousers. The brand counts Madonna and Billie Eilish among its fans, according to the New York Times.

'Heartland,' the album's focus track, “finds Sam Himself at his most warm and soulful, offering up a soaring sound that brings hints of The Killers and The War on Drugs into the mix,” (Under The Radar Magazine). In Sam's own words, "'Heartland' might be the world’s first Fondue Western road movie, shot through my windshield as I was driving across the country to see the only person I had eyes for. To me, it’s the tune you whistle along the highway to a dream you can’t stop chasing. If that sounds over the top, well, it is.”

The road is where you'll likely find the artist these days: after closing out a busy 2022 with his second collaboration with the Basel Symphony Orchestra, Sam has been on tour promoting his new album, with stops in New York, Berlin, Vienna and an official showcase at this year's Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany. 

In late 2021, Sam Himself’s debut album 'Power Ballads,' a “well-crafted set of atmospheric post-punk” (KEXP), broke the artist onto the international stage: KCRW revealed that 'Power Ballads' single 'La Paz' was a Top Ten fan favorite within the station's Today’s Top Tune segment. As recently as June 2023, the song was included in the soundtrack of HBO Max's And Just Like That (S2E02).

Prior to 'Power Ballads,' Sam was already making a name for himself and his “smokey baritone vocals” (Under The Radar) with 'Slow Drugs' (2020), the EP he released shortly after the outbreak of COVID-19. The artist was touring in Europe when the pandemic pulled the plug on live music - and Sam's return to New York City, his chosen home of the previous decade. The shock and solitude of that experience shaped 'Power Ballads,' on which Sam performed and recorded most instruments himself from a variety of DYI home studios.

It's love at first sight when Sam Koechlin moves to New York in the early 2010s with dreams of pursuing music – and the rude awakenings to match: Sam’s fascination for the city isn't exactly requited at first, so he embarks on a number of musical adventures, attends college and works odd jobs before finally launching his solo project, Sam Himself, in 2016. The name is born out of necessity and a Brooklyn concert promoter's ill-timed sense of humor: when the other member of a short-lived musical duo fails to show up for a gig one night, the remaining half is introduced to the crowd simply as "Sam… himself!" Newly solo, Sam connects with producer and mixing engineer Daniel Schlett, whom the artist affectionately dubs his 'Second Beatle’ in homage to the Fab Four’s indispensable George Martin; their creative partnership lasts to this day.

Sam currently splits his time between Brooklyn, New York, and Basel, Switzerland, where he was proud to be among the nominees of last year's Pop Price.

As featured by HBO MAX, KCRW, KEXP, SPIN Magazine, Consequence of Sound, Under The Radar, American Songwriter, The Philadelphia Globe, FLUX.FM, radioeins, DIFFUS Magazin, SCHALL, FIP Radio (FR), Les oreilles curieuses (FR), Swiss National Radiotelevision SRF (CH), Danger Mouse Jukebox, Schweizer Illustrierte, 20 Minuten, BZ - Basellandschaftliche Zeitung, and many more. – Big Hassle

Tag: sam himself, slow drugs, like a friend, cry, swiss music awards, best talent, fondue western, la paz, power ballads, nothing like the night, golden days, never let me go, mr. rocknroll