Sammi Constantine Sucks: “I Friggen Love Bedtime”
Sydney-based pop artist Sammi Constantine creates music that empowers you to truly be yourself — even if there are a few bumps along the way.
She’s had a busy 2023, releasing her four-track debut EP Dopamine back in March. It does exactly what it says on the tin: it’s 11 and a half minutes of happy brain chemical-inducing alt-pop. Lyrically, Sammi uses the project to tell stories of desire, embracing self-love, and unlocking inner confidence. She’s just released her new single ‘Swim’, which builds on the slightly eerie sounds heard on Dopamine. I can’t help but imagine this track playing perfectly at the end of a movie trailer where a house goes up in flames. Hopefully at least one person reading this sees the vision.
On ‘Swim’, Sammi unpacks the feelings of trying to find love while also trying to grow as a person. If there’s someone in your life that helps you keep your head above water, then lyrically, this track will feel very familiar. To mark the song’s release, we spoke to Sammi about watching people build igloos and treehouses on YouTube, nearly missing Zoom meetings and no longer letting people speak for her. It’s an important reminder — it can really suck when people misrepresent you. Speaking up and making yourself heard is never the wrong move in the long run, even if you run the risk of rubbing people the wrong way in the moment.
Junkee: A mistake that turned into an opportunity?
Falling in love with the wrong person and discovering my true self after leaving them behind.
Cringe quote you used to live by?
YOLO. (palm to face)
Worst advice you got and blindly followed?
“Follow the crowd…” Uh uh, that’s not in my nature!
The worst failure you’re up for sharing, and what you learned from it?
Honestly so many but we live and learn. My only regrettable one is letting other people speak on my behalf and falsely represent who I am as an artist. I learnt that it’s embarrassing later to look back and realise it wasn’t you at all…
Anything you used to be wrong about?
I used to think staying up late was cool. Man was I wrong… I friggen love bedtime now.
Embarrassing internet habit?
Sometimes when I’m really stressed (a lot) I watch people in European countries build igloos or treehouses on YouTube. It has to have just the sound of them building though, no music!
Ideal morning routine versus actual morning routine?
IDEAL: Wake up to coffee made by my partner Gabriel, kiss on the head, into a yoga class.
ACTUAL: woken up by alarm, check emails, roll out minutes before Zoom meetings most mornings, then coffee.
Something very off-brand for you?
I don’t think this is off brand for me but it definitely rubs people the wrong way… I speak my mind! I’m not really one to say nothing, I talk a lot and I like to be honest! The truth hurts.
Bad health decision?
This will sound dark as heck but you can Google this about me so, it’s no secret (trigger warning). I had an eating disorder for 12 years on and off… Because of this, I deal with a lot of health issues.
What do you waste money on?
Ironically, food.
Worst procrastination habit?
I honestly don’t really have one… I have diagnosed OCD so I get everything done and I can’t rest until I do!
Sammi Constantine’s new single Swim is out now.
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Illustration credit: Matt Lauricella, @pigeonboyart