SJae (@sjaeofficial), also known as Samantha Powell or Sammy Jay, is a highly acclaimed Los Angeles-based music producer, composer, and songwriter from Wales, UK. Not too long ago, she released a lovely music video for her latest single, “Paper Hearts.”
SJae – “Paper Hearts” Music Video
While composing for Netflix, SJae assembled a group of musician friends to work on a new master of “Bella Ciao,” the song made popular by the show “Money Heist.” The vibe between them was so fluid, that SJae asked if they would help her with the instrumentation on “Paper Hearts.” This spectacular band made up of award-winning musicians, bassist Hutch Hutchinson (Bonnie Rait), drummer MB Gordy (Pharrell Williams, Doobie Brothers), and guitarist Diego Garcia (Andrés Calamaro, Mercedes Sosa), all recorded their parts in isolation and sent the files to SJae, who added piano, strings and her intimate vocal tones, culminating in a fully produced and mixed record.
“Paper Hearts” was written during the height of the Covid pandemic, while political tensions were dividing America, families and friends were torn apart by conflicting decisions on everything important in their lives. Additionally, SJae had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of thyroid cancer, and underwent two surgeries, just as the world locked down and fell off its axis.
“Paper Hearts” is also the title track of SJae’s upcoming EP, which is due out later this year. The project takes SJae’s sound in a different direction, blending folk, blues, country, and soul, into an emotional and raw commentary on the fragility of the human condition.
With this new EP, SJae wants to convey a message of hope and humility, strength and grace through radical acceptance and the notion that we are all so fragile and vulnerable, that through this insane time in history, even though our paths may differ, our destination is the same. SJae explains, “We are all just doing the best we can. We are all multi-dimensional, perfectly imperfect, fragile yet tenacious, and beautifully human.”
SJae
A career spanning 20 years, SJae has carved out a significant niche in the music industry, earning recognition for her versatility, creativity, and ability to transcend traditional musical boundaries, while being among one of very few women music producers and composers in the industry. Known for her eclectic and innovative approach to music production, she often blends traditional instrumentation with cutting-edge technology, creating records that are both contemporary and timeless.
SJae studied at The Brit School of Performing Arts, whose alumni include Adele and Amy Winehouse. Upon graduation, she signed a record deal with BMG Records and a publishing deal with Warner Chappell, which set the stage for her future career as a songwriter and music producer. After a decade of penning hit songs and producing records in the UK, SJae moved to Los Angeles, where her career expanded even further.
A career marked by her collaborations with a wide range of artists, from emerging talents to established stars, SJae has worked across genres including, R&B, hip-hop, K-pop, folk, and electronic music, penning hit records all over the world. Her ability to fuse different styles and sounds has made her a sought-after producer and composer in the industry.
Whether it be crafting the majority of the featured music on shows such as MTV’s ‘Ridiculousness’ and Hulu’s ‘Kardashians,’ films such as ‘Bad Trip’ or ‘They Cloned Tyrone,’ or scoring for major network trailers and promos, one will hear SJae’s music and songwriting across all platforms and territories.
SJae – “Paper Hearts” Single
We recommend adding SJae’s “Paper Hearts” single to your favorite indie alternative playlist. We would love to hear your thoughts! Please comment below and let us know how this song makes you feel. Remember, your feedback helps us bring you more of the music you love. As always, thanks for reading another great article on Bong Mines Entertainment. We’re your go-to source for new music and positive entertainment news. Remember, (P)ositive (E)nergy (A)lways (C)reates (E)levation—P.E.A.C.E.
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