From fallen giants to shredding metal, Pick Up Goliath’s journey is anything but ordinary! I sat down with Sam to talk about his wild path through music, unexpected inspirations (mammoth tusks, anyone?), award nominations, and why recording in his sunny Spanish studio might just be the best decision you ever make. #Metal #MusicProduction #PickUpGoliath
(An exclusive interview with Sam on music, mammoths, and making it in the industry!)
-Interview by Samantha Ann
Me: Sam! You’ve had quite the adventure—moving, teaching, producing, performing. Let’s start from the beginning—where did life first plant you, and where have you ended up?
Sam: I’m from Colchester, about an hour from London. I spent three years in Leeds for Uni, then moved to Oxford with my band to try and “make it.” After that, I trained as a teacher back in Colchester before spending nine years in central London, mostly teaching at The BRIT School. That’s where I met my wife, who’s Spanish. When we started our family, we wanted out of London, so in 2021, we moved to Cáceres, Spain—a gorgeous town between Madrid, Seville, and Lisbon. Now, I’ve got my home, my recording studio, and my family all in one place. I think I’ll be here for a while!
Me: That sounds like such a beautiful place to settle! Now, let’s talk music. Every producer has a signature style, whether they realize it or not. Do you feel like your sound is similar to anyone else’s, or are you carving out your own lane?
Sam: That’s a tricky one. Every producer likes to believe they have a unique style, but at the end of the day, it’s the audience who decides. My main focus is making sure every record has individuality and quality. Since I was a musician first, I approach production from that perspective. Plus, I’m self-taught, which means I probably break a lot of so-called "rules" without even knowing it. But as long as the final product resonates, I’m happy.
Me: I love that. Music is all about connection, after all! Speaking of connection, inspiration can hit at the weirdest times. Have you ever had a completely out-of-the-blue moment that turned into something amazing?
Sam: Oh, absolutely. My two solo instrumental records, I.XVII and Ancient Clues to Future Calamity, were both inspired by things totally unrelated to music. I.XVII was inspired by the story of David and Goliath—my artist name, Pick Up Goliath, actually comes from my own personal struggles and finding purpose after school. I had this illusion that the world would just hand me opportunities, and when that didn’t happen, it was a harsh reality check. I was the fallen giant—my ego was Goliath. I also battled alcohol addiction (I’ve been sober for five years now—go me!) and depression, so that record is deeply personal.
As for Ancient Clues to Future Calamity, that one came from a National Geographic article about how scientists can analyze the layers of a mammoth’s tusk, almost like tree rings, to learn about its life and environment. That blew my mind, and I turned it into a musical concept.
Me: Okay, that is SO cool. Who knew mammoth tusks could inspire music? Now, you’ve worked with some huge names. When you’re introducing your work to someone new, who do you mention first?
Sam: Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage) and Matthew K. Heafy (Trivium) always come first. They’re absolute icons in the metal world. Then I mention Dom Brown, guitarist for Duran Duran, just to mix it up. I also talk about some of the students I taught at The BRIT School, like Lola Young, Rex Orange County, Raye, Olivia Dean, Cat Burns, and black midi. I didn’t produce them, but I like to think I played a small role in their journey.
Me: That’s incredible. And now, YOU’RE the one being recognized—congratulations on all your award nominations! Tell me all about them—what are they for, and how does it feel?
Sam: Thanks! These are for the Premios de la Música Extremeña, the music awards for my region in Spain. I’m up for Best Production and Best Album/EP for Cult of the Lamb: Hymns of the Unholy, plus another Best Production nomination for From the Ashes by Mind Traveller, which is also up for Best Single. And then there’s a folk song I produced, A La Sombra de Un Árbol Frondoso, which is nominated as well.
Awards aren’t everything, but let’s be honest—once you’re nominated, you want to win. They add credibility. If you see a producer with a Grammy on their shelf, you automatically take them more seriously. It’s just how it is.
Me: I mean… it’s gotta feel pretty good, right? So what’s next? Any big projects coming up?
Sam: My new record is in the works, and once again, I’m teaming up with some killer artists from the metal world. It’s another concept album, but I’m keeping the details secret for now. I’m also in talks for another big video game collaboration, similar to Cult of the Lamb, but I can’t say much about that yet.
Outside of my own projects, I want to do more co-writing and producing for other artists. I have a stunning studio—Mammoth Sound Studio—here in Spain, and I’d love to bring in more artists from both Europe and the U.S. Honestly, for American artists, a trip here could be cheaper than booking a high-end studio at home—plus, no U.S. taxes!
Me: Sunshine and a great studio—what’s not to love? Now, I have to ask—what keeps you pushing yourself to be better with every track you produce?
Sam: I’m a pretty self-motivated guy. I believe if you’re not constantly learning, you’re falling behind. The world evolves, and if you don’t keep up, you get left behind. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard—one of my old cricket coaches drilled that into me.
People say you need luck to make it in the music industry, and sure, maybe there’s some of that. But you have to create your own opportunities. For me, a big motivator is simply fear—fear of failure, fear of not being able to provide for my family. That, and I just love what I do.
Me: That’s such a powerful mindset, and it makes all the difference! Okay, real talk—how long does it actually take to fully produce a three-minute song?
Sam: It depends! How complex is it? How many layers? Are we working from a demo, or are we starting from scratch? Is the artist decisive, or are they second-guessing everything? Is my computer cooperating, or is it having a meltdown? Is inspiration flowing, or am I dragging my feet through creative quicksand? It could take a day, or it could take a week—or longer!
Me: So basically, “it depends” is the official answer! Last one—music is a tough industry, and not everyone understands the journey. Have you ever faced doubt from people in your life about your path? And if so, what would you say to them now?
Sam: Definitely. People don’t really understand what it takes to build a career in music. The biggest myth is that if you’re good enough, you’ll “make it” overnight. My parents gave me a year after Uni to try and “make it” with my band, but after that, they told me to get a real job. And I get it—music isn’t seen as a stable career.
But the truth is, almost no one is an overnight success. Even artists who seem to blow up—like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, or Sam Ryder—have been working at it for years. I wish more people saw music careers as entrepreneurial rather than a lottery ticket to fame.
Me: That is SO true. Sam, this has been amazing—I love your insight, your energy, and of course, your music! Thank you for sharing your journey with me!
Sam: Thanks for having me!
Sam’s journey proves that success in music isn’t about overnight fame—it’s about passion, persistence, and maybe a little inspiration from mammoth tusks. If you’re an artist, a producer, or just someone who loves a great story, take notes—this is how you carve out your own path. Keep an eye on Pick Up Goliath, because something tells me his best work is yet to come!
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