Samm Henshaw shares short film “a short film. for someone, somewhere, who isn't us.”
a short film. for someone, somewhere, who isn't us.
Stream / Play “For Someone Somewhere Who Isn’t Us” Here
Samm Henshaw recently released his mini-album, For Someone Somewhere Who Isn’t Us, a project born from a time of personal and creative struggle. For Samm, this challenging period became a powerful life lesson he hopes to pass on to fellow creatives. When he was lacking in inspiration, he found it in the stories of others and through that realised that we’re all here to teach and learn from one another. By others sharing he was able to create and he hopes by him sharing, others will be able to do so too. To complement the project, Samm created his first short film, capturing the essence of the project's ethos. The film shines a light on creatives who have overcome personal challenges and life-altering events, emerging stronger and more resilient on the other side. Throughout the short film, Samm delivers powerful performances and captivating monologues that seamlessly weave the story together.
Directed and co-created by Samm and Timi Akindele-Ajani, this film showcases the journeys of five diverse creatives from various disciplines and backgrounds. Celebrated actor David Gyasi, currently starring in The Diplomat, reflects on his personal experiences with the idea that when one door closes, another opens. We also hear from artist and designer Sumaralaika, alongside singer-songwriter Kwaku Asante, as they share intimate insights on camera. Thea Gajić speaks about the global creative community and how it makes her feel part of something larger than her individual art. Woodworker Sophie Sellu reveals how she infuses her personality into her creations, emphasising that it is our quirks and uniqueness that truly define us. Finally, award-winning business leader Amani Duncan shares her philosophy on success, reminding us that the summit of a mountain is not a place to linger, but rather a milestone that prepares us for the next journey and the next ascent.
Samm Henshaw's musical journey is a story of triumph. With a series of global tours, he has amassed nearly 400 million global streams and one million monthly listeners. COLORS, Man About Town, GQ, NPR, and many more have recognised his talent. He has worked with Quincy Jones and Steven McQueen on Soundtrack Of America, amassed over 120M views on YouTube, and appeared in the critically acclaimed drama Godfather Of Harlem. His recent foray this year into fashion saw him at the forefront of London Fashion Week for Ahluwalia and Labrum. Collaborating with diverse artists like Kota The Friend, Tobe Nwigwe, Maverick Sabre, EarthGang, and Wretch 32, Samm has always showcased his versatility and creative prowess.
Taking a step away from the spotlight over the past year, Samm realised that a purpose-driven life is worthy. He encourages others to strive for this, urging fellow creatives to take the necessary time to explore the unknown, which he finds terrifying yet comforting solace. When creating 'For Someone Somewhere Who Isn’t Us,' Samm aimed for it to be experienced in three parts: the music, the documentary, and the merchandise. With a passion for all things creative, he will delve deeper into his artistic pursuits in the coming year. While music remains his first love, Samm also draws inspiration from photography, fashion, books, and television.
Samm Henshaw short film “a short film. for someone, somewhere, who isn't us.” film still
Biography:
Samm Henshaw found himself at a crossroads following the release of his debut album, Untidy Soul. He was not as excited about music as he once was and succumbed mentally and emotionally to pressures associated with his career, leading to a much-needed, intentional hiatus.
“I just don't feel confident about music in general at the moment. Music's just not exciting me the way it used to at the moment, but I've been finding some joy in some areas, and I think it's enough to have kept me going,” Samm explains. The journey of revitalizing his passion led to the creation of his new mini album, For Someone Somewhere Who Isn’t Us.
As Samm took a step away from the spotlight over the past year, he realized that a purpose-driven life is a worthy one and the crooner is on a mission to encourage people to strive for that. He urges fellow creatives to take the necessary time and explore the unknown as he found it to be a terrifying albeit comforting solace. When creating For Someone Somewhere Who Isn’t Us, Samm’s goal was to have digested in three parts: the music, the movie, and the merchandise.
The premise behind the new EP is about a man that's struggling to create his next project, and he writes all of these guidelines (of sorts) for himself in this notebook. He misplaces the book, and then someone else finds it. They then start to follow some of the stuff that they've seen inside this book. The book continues in this cyclic pattern of being lost and found; Before long, the book is completed and winds up in the hands of its original owner.
“I think the idea is that as people, we sometimes feel this level of lack inadequacy and I want to push and encourage this idea of not giving up—even when that seems like an easy out— because you never know what might happen when it comes and who it might inspire,” says Samm of this new chapter.
Unlike past projects, he is entering this new, transitional era free of expectations.
“Anything that comes, I'm grateful for it, I'm excited for it. But ultimately I think it needed to happen just for me to be able to prove to myself that I could still do it. It was just almost like this project to me feels more like a lesson. Look, as creatives, as people just in the world, all these little things apply to all of us in the same way and it's just about really figuring out, pushing forward and pushing yourself beyond maybe your comfort zone, pushing yourself beyond whatever your limits may be, but not being afraid to take that step."
Being the son of a reverend, Samm grew up on gospel music and began songwriting at the age of 15. He made his acclaimed debut in 2015 with The Sound Experiment. Its highly-anticipated sequel came the following year. His budding fame continued with hit singles “Broke” (2018), “Church” (2019), “All Good” (2020), and “The World Is Mine” (2019) as heard in the 2022 Netflix film, Hustle. He released his debut album, Untidy Soul, that same year. Samm has garnered global success with his sold-out shows in the U.S., U.K. and Asia. He also worked with the likes of Quincy Jones and Steven McQueen on Soundtrack Of America, amassed over 120M views on YouTube, appeared in the critically-acclaimed drama, Godfather Of Harlem, and has accumulated over 360M streams across DSPs.
Video Credits:
Director: Timi Akindele-Ajani @akinajan
Production Company: Pavilion Works @pavilionworks
Executive Producer: Morgan Faverty @morganfaverty
Producer: Sunayah Arshad @sunayah._
Production Asst: Derkan Dogan @derkanseeksfairuz
DOP: Thomas Terminet @thomasterminet
Focus Puller: Nacho Muñoz de León @nacho__1986
Gaffer: Mat Nolan @matthegaff
Production Designer: Maureen Kargbo @maureenkargbostudio
SFX Artist: Lily Simmonds @lilysimmonds_mua
Steadicam: Devon Clarke-Sheward
Editor: Daria Korsak @dariakorsak
Colourist: Doma @Doma.works
Action Car: Tomisin Ajani @tomisinajani
Starring:
Samm Henshaw
KIRBY
Gavin Dunn
Dara Lasegha
Interviews:
David Gyasi
Sumaralaika
Kwaku Asante
Sophie Sellu
Thea Gajić
Amani Duncan
Supporting Actors:
Alexander Button
Lola Ololade
Maia Ardalla
Eric Aydin-Barberini
Stefan Pop
CK Goldiing
Social credits:
Artist - Samm Henshaw @sammhenshaw
Director - Timi Akindele-Ajani @akinajan
Production Company - Pavilion Works @pavilionworks
Executive Producer - Morgan Faverty @morganfaverty
Producer - Sunayah Arshad @sunayah._
DOP - Thomas Terminet @thomasterminet
Artist management - Jackie Davidson, Ian Henry
Production Asst - Derkan Dogan @derkanseeksfairuz
Focus Puller - Nacho Muñoz de León @nacho__1986
Gaffer - Mat Nolan @matthegaff
Production Designer - Maureen Kargbo @maureenkargbostudio
SFX Artist - Lily Simmonds @lilysimmonds_mua
Steadicam - Devan Clarke-Sheward @devan_cs
Assistant Editor - Daria Korsak @dariakorsak
Colourist - Thomas Kumeling @thomaskumeling
Post production - Doma @Doma.works
Sound Design - Panos Chountoulidis @panosophy
Sound Mix - Oliver Kadel @oliver_kadel
Sound - 1.618 Digital @1.618digital
Action Car - Tomisin Ajani @tomisinajani
Runner - Eri Soares @eri.ife.oluwa, Zane Elias @Zane.Elias
Cast:
KIRBY - @singkirbysing
Gavin Dunn @dunnldn
Dara Lasegha @daralasegha
Alex Button @alexbutton_art
Lola Ololade @lolaololade
Maia Ardalla @maia.ara
Eric Aydin-Barberini @eric.aydin.barberini
Stefan Pop @popodopop
CK Goldiing @ckgoldiing
Interviews:
David Gyasi @thedavidgyasi
Sumara Laika @sumaralaika
Kwaku Asante @kwakuxasante
Sophie Sellu @grainandknot
Thea Gajic @theagajic
Amani Duncan @intern_toceo
Follow Samm Henshaw: Website - Spotify - Instagram - YouTube
