We had the pleasure of interviewing Sam Heselwood, and here’s what he had to say:
Q: What inspired your switch from rugby to music?
HESELWOOD: I had a neck injury a year ago while playing and it ruptured the ligament that holds the C1 joint in place (the very top vertebrae), the C1 moved 11mm forward and was 2mm from cutting off my spinal cord, which would have killed me. I had my neck fused up and the surgeon decided it was too risky to go back to playing afterward. I decided to put all my time and energy into my other love; being music.
Q: Ouch!! That’s rough. I’m glad you found something else to immerse yourself in. What do you enjoy most about creating music?
HESELWOOD: I fell in love with the writing side, being able to express my feelings through a song is the best feeling ever. I’ve also recently come to thoroughly enjoy the whole production process, watching the song come to life is incredible.
Q: What does this song, “Home,” mean to you?
HESELWOOD: It’s a special song to me, it’s about my partner and how she makes me feel it’s also a good reflection on how life isn’t always good and we need to cherish the ups and downs.
Q: What was your creative process for “Home”?
HESELWOOD: I wrote home with another New Zealand writer, Sally Faherty. Sally and I jumped on a Zoom call and she began with “What do you want to write about, is there anything troubling you or on your mind right now?” I just replied, “Not really, life’s pretty good right now.” That’s how the song started, we wrote 90% of the song in an hour and then I took it away to my producer Terence O’Connor and finished the rest.
Q: What does your roadmap for the rest of the year look like pertaining to your music career?
HESELWOOD: I have another single coming out in July, “How’s Heaven” which is a letter to my grandfather, and an EP in August, “Home is where the heart is” to tie everything all together, I then fly off to London to live for the next few years.
Q: That’s a big move! Who would you say is your biggest supporter?
HESELWOOD: My mum dad and partner and all three of my biggest supporters and I wouldn’t be doing what I do without them. Mum and Dad have always told me to create a career I love and have always pushed me to follow my dreams. Sophie my partner has been incredibly patient and supportive, she is at every gig and tries to be involved with anything I do, in or outside the music world.
Q: That’s great! I love how you avoided choosing only one person! : )
Interviewed by Zoey King
FOLLOW SAM HESELWOOD:
