The Commercial Music Society had the privilege of welcoming Samm Henshaw, acclaimed British songwriter and producer, for a discussion on creativity, collaboration and the realities of life in the music industry.
To begin, Henshaw reflected on his creative process, revealing that most of his songs started with an instrument before deciding on the concept or theme. He emphasised that they are largely shaped by past experiences and the music he grew up with. This led to him giving the audience a preview of his much-anticipated forthcoming album by playing one of his unreleased songs.
Henshaw also spoke about the importance of collaboration and working with other artists, as each encounter taught him something valuable, whether about professionalism or how to carry oneself in the studio and in public.
When asked how he deals with the constant pressure of the modern music industry, Henshaw advised ways to avoid burnout by being creative elsewhere, through photography, cooking or even art. “Don’t stop creating, just try to change what you’re doing,” he explained.
Perhaps the most striking moment of the talk came when Henshaw was asked about what success meant to him. Rather than being defined by awards or comparisons, he described success as being able to continue doing what he loves while supporting his family, and fulfilling his dream of being a songwriter. He compared this to buying a pair of shoes that you love, only to question them when someone else wears a ‘better’ pair. His message was clear: true success is what you make of it.
As the evening drew to a close, Henshaw spoke about the reality of life, and how “all things come to an end”. He emphasised that rather than fearing this, aspiring musicians should create music without regret, and make the most out of their experiences.
