Sam Fender has hit out on the present state of the music trade, describing it as “rigged” with “90 per cent children who’re privately educated”.
Talking in a brand new interview with The Sunday Instances the singer-songwriter additionally stated he feels responsible that his life has modified after making it within the music trade regardless of being from a working class background in North Shields whereas his associates nonetheless wrestle “on the bones of their arse”.
He stated: “The music trade is 80 per cent, 90 per cent children who’re privately educated. A child from the place I’m from can’t afford to tour, so there are most likely 1000’s writing songs which can be ten occasions higher than mine, poignant lyrics in regards to the nation, however they won’t be seen as a result of it’s rigged.”
Referring to the track from ‘TV Dinner’ from his newest album ‘Folks Watching‘ which was launched on Friday (February 21), he additionally criticised the trade for “constructing” artists up “to knock ’em down.”
He stated: “It was wild. I wrote that, then Liam Payne died. You consider the quantity of occasions he was getting dragged by the press and he didn’t assist himself, did he? Bless him. I bear in mind watching some movies he was in and being, like, ‘God, what a tit.’ However the actuality was that he was only a younger lad, well-known far too younger, who had dependancy bother – and everybody hit him with the pitchforks.”
When requested in regards to the lyric “You’ll promote me / You’ll kill me”, if Fender was speaking about himself, he stated: “Fully. It’s reminding me that I don’t need to be below the thumb. On the finish of the day, if I wish to cease I’ll cease.”
Elsewhere, he additionally spoke in regards to the the distinction between individuals who take medicine at music trade events and associates who take them up north.
“Effectively, I’ve observed that my drug addict associates who’re posh go to rehab, however my mates with points up there simply die,” he stated.
Fender continued: “Persons are very unaware. We’re superb at speaking about privileges – white, male or straight privilege. We hardly ever speak about class, although. And that’s loads of the rationale that each one the younger lads are seduced by demagogues like Andrew Tate.
“They’re being shamed on a regular basis and made to really feel like they’re an issue. It’s this narrative being instructed to white boys from nowhere cities. Folks preach to some child in a pit city in Durham who’s received fuck all and inform him he’s privileged? Then Tate tells him he’s price one thing? It’s seductive.”
Reviewing his latest album, NME awarded it 4 stars and described it as “reflective and perceptive indie rock from North Shields’ shining star”.
It added: “Feeling existential, uprooted and disconnected from his outdated working-class life due to his speedy rise to fame, the British guitar hero channels all of it into his beautiful third album.”
In the meantime, Fender not too long ago revealed that he’s already engaged on its follow-up and introduced additional dates to his forthcoming UK stadium tour in the summertime, together with Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on August 16, Edinburgh Summer season Periods on August 22 and Boucher Street Enjoying Fields in Belfast as a part of the VITAL Collection on August 28.
Help for the primary two reveals will come from Olivia Dean, whereas CMAT will probably be opening the present in Belfast. Go to right here to purchase tickets and discover a listing of UK tour dates right here.
The singer-songwriter was additionally not too long ago introduced as the official ambassador of Report Retailer Day UK 2025 – set for April 12 – and can launch two new songs as a part of a particular EP to rejoice.
He is nominated for 2 BRIT Awards at subsequent month’s ceremony: Artist Of The Yr and Alt/Rock Act.
