A Chat with som som (27.03.25)
som som is paving his way in the indie music scene with his introspective and catchy tunes. Renowned for fusing evocative storytelling with dreamy, hazy textures, and with each new record, he pushes the limits of indie-pop and rock. His music offers both melancholy and hope in equal measure as it explores emotional depth, self-reflection, and the complexity of the human experience. We speak with som som to discuss his new single ‘Seasonal Depression’, future plans, and more below.
OSR: Your new single ‘Seasonal Depression’ has a deep emotional layer. How important is it for you to communicate your personal experiences through music?
som som: I feel like I’m not a storyteller, even though I have a lot of events to depict – 99% of my lyrics stem from personal experiences rather than conveying a general message or writing about someone else. At the end of the day, my own experiences are the only ones I truly have, so I try to go deep into them. That said, there are a lot of other, more universal topics I want to explore later as well.
OSR: Your music has a unique blend of introspection and catchy elements. How do you ensure that your sound remains fresh with each new release?
som som: I experiment a lot, and I like to keep my songs from becoming too formulaic. Even though the structures are usually simple and melodically they tend to be quite poppy, I always try to explore different shades of genres and incorporate hidden textures in the production that best fit the vibe without overthinking it.
OSR:Can you walk us through the production process of ‘Seasonal Depression’? Were there any specific challenges or surprises along the way?
som som: When I was writing the song, I knew I wanted an explosive chorus. Instead of making the instrumentals dense, I focused on making the vocals feel big, stacking a lot of takes to create a sort of choir effect. I also want to highlight the ending – when I first showed it to someone, they thought there was an error or that the file had gotten corrupted toward the end.
OSR: You’ve mentioned influences like Dayglow and Fontaines D.C. How do these bands inspire the way you create music, if at all?
som som: I really enjoy bands that feel very indie. Sloan (a.k.a. Dayglow) nails the production of his tracks, striking this delicate balance between sounding polished and DIY at the same time. There are always interesting elements in these bands’ songs that I find intriguing from production choices to delivery.
OSR: What role does nostalgia play in your music, especially in ‘Seasonal Depression’?
som som: To be honest, I tend to avoid nostalgia because a lot of the time it feels like a distraction from being present and mindful. At the same time, many of my songs carry a nostalgic feeling or sentiment, which comes from processing emotions while creating. It’s kind of a love-hate relationship. In ‘Seasonal Depression’, reminiscing about the past is an integral part of the song, but it’s more like a glance into the future, being grateful for having overcome difficult moments.
OSR: The track touches on themes of growth and healing. Do you find that creating music helps you process emotions or challenges you’re going through?
som som: A lot of the time, it feels like the sole purpose of making music is just to process emotions through creating.
OSR: What kind of impact do you hope your music has on your listeners, particularly those who might be going through tough emotional periods?
som som: I’m not expecting any particular reaction from the individual listener, but I hope some people find something in my songs they can relate to. If it provides emotional support or helps someone cope, that’s a huge bonus.
OSR: How do you deal with the pressures of being an emerging artist in a crowded indie scene?
som som: I don’t feel much pressure, but I do get distracted by all the noise. It’s also a good thing, though – there’s so much amazing music coming from every direction, which, as a music nerd, I really cherish. Instead of stressing about how to stand out, I’m just trying to be part of the scene and hope that everyone, including me, gets the attention they deserve.
OSR: Do you have any rituals or habits when you’re in the creative zone. Anything that helps you stay inspired or focused?
som som: Not to sound cliché, but when I’m in the zone, I don’t need anything else. Getting there is another story though 🙂 I can be very particular in everyday life, but I’m super ad-hoc when I make music. I’m lucky to feel inspired most of the time, but I do struggle to stay focused. If you’ve got any tips, I’m all ears!
OSR: Finally, where do you see yourself in the next few years? What kind of legacy would you like to build through your music?
som som: I hope my music reaches a lot of people, but what matters most is being able to experiment and create as freely as possible.
Many thanks to som som for speaking with us. Find out more about som som on his Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Spotfy.
