Sam Sparro Interview

You will have heard the surprise electro hit Black And Gold pumping out on the radio or noticed the glamourous video on MTV. But who is the artist behind the smooth track and how did he suddenly get to number 2 in the charts with his first single?

MTV News found out Sam Sparro is 25 and from Sydney though he moved to the UK at just 17 to make it in the music biz.

I was really into British music and wanted to move over here, he said. Ive always been interested in lots of different things- one of them was dance music but I was always into UK soul. The camp popstar continued: Theres a lot more room here for lairy characters than there is in the US.

Sparro comes from a family of musicians and as a child- living in LA- sung in kids choirs and on gospel records. But at 16 he turned to the dark (dance) side getting a laptop, sampler and programming equipment. After years making tunes in his bedroom Sam met his co-producer and manager Jesse (Rogg) and was signed to Universal late last year.

Black And Gold though was written nearly two years ago and was out on a compilation in May 2007. He told MTV News: I wrote it in 10 minutes. It just came to me one night when I was feeling lonely and wondering if god exists. I picked up a pen and the first draft of lyrics is what is on the radio! 

And despite the track crash landing in the top 10 on downloads alone- and currently sitting at number 2 Sam hasnt had time to enjoy the achievement. Ive been in London putting the finishing touches to the album so we havent had time to celebrate yet! We havent even had a glass of champagne, he revealed.

The said debut album comes out later this month and features production from Richard X (M.I.A/ Kelis/ Sugababes) and Paul Epworth (Bloc Party/ Maximo Park/ Kate Nash). He says its pretty eclectic: Some is really funky- a throwback to the heyday of funk in the 70s. But theres a heroin-disco track thats quite dark and dreamy too.

Sam has just started gigging proper playing Fabric and Camden Crawl he says he wont be bothered if his next track released does less well than B&G: I couldnt care less if the second single doesnt go Top 5! Hell simply continue making Classic Soul Pop until Madonna or Kylie come calling anyway- like they did with Mylo, Calvin Harris and Stuart Price.

Sparros not sure it will happen but does (bravely) admit: The first tape I ever owned was I Should Be So Lucky!

Sam Sparro's self titled debut album comes out April 28