Sam Varga’s “Dark Arts” — “At the end of the day it’s just a fun love song.”
Austin, Texas native. Fan of Australian hard rock band AC/DC. Their song, “TNT,” co-written by Bon Scott, Angus Young, and Malcolm Young, was released in 1975 about the chemical explosive, and showcased their driving guitar riffs and powerful lyrics.
It is the first song you gravitated to on your own and introduced you to rock music/guitar. “Since I was 10yrs old my dream guitar has been a ’67 Sg.” What makes this Gibson model so special for a guitarist like yourself?
It was the first band that I heard serious riff driven dynamics from. I’ll never forget it was Tony Hawk Pro-Skater 4 the first time I heard it. And I ACTUALLY got a ‘67 Sg this past year from Carters. Sold 4 guitars for it. It’s just iconic, fast, it can be dirty and beautiful and LOUD. Mine actually came with the legendary PAF pick-ups.
Opening for Sleeping with Sirens and Saosin (two of your favorite bands) with your high school band. Years later … writing songs with Forts Like Vana and Kellin Quinn. What was it like writing with them years after opening for them as a teen?
Full circle. Definitely a special moment. I’m glad Forts found the song and that Kellin wanted to hop on. Opening up for those two bands that show is still one of my favorite musical memories.
Rifle shooting. High speed go-karts. What would you do if you could spend a day doing things you enjoyed as a teen?
I’d do all of it. I’d go shooting, go drive something really fast, spend time in the woods, grab some Mexican food, and go see an emo band at a dive venue. Sounds perfect to me.
“I, like so many others, deal with mental health/depression and that’s a constant battle for me — being a different person on a different day or seeing the world through eyes that aren’t really yours. I’ve tried everything at this point but the only thing that consistently grounds me and where I feel present and whole is making music. I think I started playing music for the fun/for the dream. I think I’ve grown to need it now, at least the creation of it. But I guess now the two feed each other, it’s kinda like my compass.” Which other artists’ songs have a grounding effect for you?
There’s 3 that I always reach for. Jason Isbell, Ruston Kelly, and Sean McConnell. I gravitate to their song craft and lyricism. And I relate to their stories and messages uncannily. Those are my 3 horsemen when it comes to artists and writers. No one does it like them and nothing else pushes all of my buttons like that all at once.
Moving to Nashville in 2017. Debut single, “Sex & Whiskey.” What drew you to settle in Music City?
I guess the same thing as every other emo exiled in Nash. We want to be around music. Be around the best. And create for as long as we’re lucky enough to do so.
Indie musical film, Americana Dream, playing the role of Lucky Fontana, who goes from craving money and fame to being part of a real couple, willing to sacrifice dreams of success for love. Which role would be your dream one if you could star in a remake of any movie?
Oh goodness. Hard question. I hope they never remake either of them. But probably Forest Gump or Aragorn from Lord of The Rings. Lots of traveling, loads of adventure. Either one would be an amazing story to live.
“Sugarcoat,” “I’m a fucking mess when it comes to relationships and I’m sure it’s hell for the other person. So, “Sugarcoat” is just ownership and laughing at it. Sonically I always wanted to do a song that unashamedly blended blues and emo.” Confessional lyrics — how difficult is it to share such personal ones?
I guess sharing was easy for “Sugarcoat.” It’s real emotions and criticisms I have about myself but done up in a deprecating, fast punk song. So I guess it was easy to hide behind, but also I enjoy taking the dark and turning it into something lighter. There’s a certain medicinal element there.
Alcohol free as you “…proved it to myself, reset, and I became so much smarter and started the beginning of some serious shadow work…” Shadow work, working with your unconscious mind to uncover the parts of yourself that you repress and hide from yourself. How have you continued to find balance while having a career in the public eye?
(It was just a break. Not ongoing.) It is hard. When your passion is your job and your job is in the public eye it means that there’s no breaks or separation. Your worth and happiness is all kind of tied up into one. It’s tricky for all artists to navigate.
“Dark Arts,” co-written with Spencer Jordan and Caleb Oczkowski,“I wrote a song for all my blue hair/septum/tarot/ astrology girlies.” What inspired the write (produced by Dan Swank and Oczkowski)?
I think at the moment I just wanted to blow off some steam from some perfectly natural growing pains in my relationship. Me and my co-writers had a lot of fun being lovingly-disparaging about astrology and I’m so happy so many have found the good in the jest and are enjoying. Thrilled my girlfriend digs it too ;). At the end of the day it’s just a fun love song.
What’s ahead in 2023?
An album. Finally ;)
“Dark Arts” Cover Art by Justin Bryant