Artist Statement - Sam Meadahl

When making music, I think of my pieces as sound worlds. I want the listener to feel as though they are on a journey. Compositionally I work in both acoustic and electroacoustic music and enjoy writing songs as well. My practice comes from a general love of music of all kinds. I am influenced by artists that are able to shape shift and dive into various styles of music. Recently, I have begun building instruments to include in my own pieces, which is a way of creating new sounds, and putting a more personal touch into the music. I also include things in the piece that may not be the same every time, so that each performance is unique in its own way. My creative process involves a lot of trial and error, and working through the ideas in my head to achieve the sound I want. 

There is a lot to be learned from things not working, and It only makes you grow as an artist. I like to see what happens when I modify an instrument, or explore techniques. These explorations allow me to dig deeper into the instruments I write for (or build). 

Some home made instruments: Rainstick,
Fan Sculpture and Blaster

The inspiration for building instruments comes from a curiosity of wanting to know how things work, and as well as how sounds are made. I enjoy making instruments that may not have existed before, or making my own versions of instruments that I come across, and putting them in a different context, or using them in a different way than what was originally intended. 

I enjoy collaborating with other disciplines, as well as other musicians. There is always something new to learn, and it is interesting to get other perspectives on music/art. In terms of future 

plans, I want to collaborate more with my peers as well as people other disciplines, and thinking more about the performance and visual aspect of my work, and stage presentation. I would like to create some sort of sound sculpture at some point as well.

Sam Meadahl is a composer/guitar player/instrument builder from Vancouver B.C. He is currently studying composition at Simon Fraser University, under Sabrina Schroeder. He has worked with Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra as part of the Sounds Global Concert, and has also collaborated with Dance students at Simon Fraser University as part of Ascension, a student run show.  He recently took part in the 2018 SFU Berlin field school. He was also commissioned to build rain sticks for Rita Ueda to be used in a composition to be performed by Turning Point Ensemble.