Did Sam Ryder Really Feel Like a Fraud at the Peak of His Career?

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Sam Ryder: The Rise, Struggles, and Return of a Music Sensation

In 2022, Sam Ryder did the unthinkable. He made the UK believe that they actually had the chance to win Eurovision. Like an angel with perfect hair, the Space Man singer shot to dizzying heights and secured an incredible second place behind Ukraine. Following his success, Sam performed at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, then sang at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, all before releasing his debut album.

The album, titled There’s Nothing But Space, Man, came with the expected fanfare and then he all but disappeared. ‘It’s so easy to be optimistic and positive when the wind is in your sails,’ Sam, 36, told Metro as he prepared to return to music after two years away. ‘My optimism had never really been tested [until] that point. And I’m really not gonna say I kept it the whole time because I didn’t. There were times when I felt like a total fraud because, I guess, positivity has always been this thing that I’ve wanted to champion. But there were times I was not positive, not optimistic.’

From Stardom to Struggle

Sam likened his rise to being ‘in the Shire’ at the start of Lord of the Rings, a peaceful and supported start with a ‘storm cloud’ on the horizon, which life inevitably brings. ‘Life started getting really real,’ Sam shared of leaving his label and going independent as he recorded his newly announced album, Heartland. ‘That sadness or pessimism or lack of confidence had only reared its head a few times in my life. I thought that I wouldn’t have those feelings again, unless they were just passing through normally, but then they just stuck around for a year, incessantly. I’d never been there for my life. Every day was a struggle to even fathom being confident or optimistic about the future.’

While the Parlophone label was ‘decimated’, Sam was left having to start from scratch as he wrestled with being ‘under attack from that incessant sort of voice within that’s trying to pull you down.’ New single, The Feeling Never Went Away, documents Sam’s struggle to free himself from this darkness, but he acknowledges that artists’ intentions don’t always line up with fans’ interpretations. ‘As a songwriter, you’re not completely in control,’ he shared. ‘You’re just there with a guitar and a phrase will come out, and then you chase it. It’s like rabbit down the hole, and then all other words come out, and sort of attach themselves to this train, until the train is a whole song.’

A New Chapter in Nashville

During the process of writing the new album, Sam moved out to Nashville, Tennessee, which is the spiritual homeland of many musicians. He and his partner settled in an old log cabin, finally realizing a dream the More hitmaker had had for the last 13 years. The move reminded him he was making space (man) to build new things while his mind was ‘being unfair’ and telling him he was ‘losing things.’

‘The Space Man era, all those jumpsuit shows, all that stuff without that, none of this is possible. So now, when I sing Space Man live at shows, I’m just so thankful and full of gratitude.’ Sam’s beloved song was a staple when he took to the stage (multiple times) at Glastonbury, for various secret sets as well as an Avalon Stage slot. ‘I’d never been there before, never played there, had no idea what to expect,’ he confessed of his first trip to Worthy Farm.

Glastonbury and Beyond

‘I did five secret sets in total, so much to the point that they weren’t really secret anymore. “There’s him again”,’ Sam joked. ‘They were really cool, when you do them, they are quite secret and you’re like, how is anyone gonna know about this? But every time people found out and came, and I was just buzzing.’ Later this year, Sam will once again head out on tour with his biggest show ever at Wembley Arena taking place on November 6, just weeks after Heartland is released.

Full Circle: A Dream Realized

In a full circle moment, the London venue was also where he saw his first gig at around 13 years old and decided to become a musician. ‘I remember leaving that [gig] and knowing what I wanted to do in my life,’ Sam recalled of the fateful evening, thanking Sum 41 for the inspiration. He even still has the ticket, kindly framed with a poster by his mum, and is planning to put ‘something’ on the seat he once sat in for one lucky fan.

This is set to be Sam’s only UK headlining gig this year, although he could pop up in your local as he supports a new campaign with Greene King pubs for live music. On August 8, the ‘biggest pub gig ever’ will see nearly 800 acts performing in pubs across the UK, including the Tiny Riot hitmaker. ‘[I wanted to] do something that felt like I was actually being purposeful that wasn’t just benefiting me,’ Sam explained of the collaboration.

Supporting Grassroots Music

‘It took me till I was 31 years old to get shot at this, and I’d been dreaming about it and never stopping working for that entire time. I didn’t take a break or put down the guitar ever. I would do anything to make this work and I know there’s so many other people out there that are in the same position and are doing whatever they can just to stay in the music game that [might feel] their time is running out. ‘We all have a responsibility to support grassroots music from people that don’t have [an] advantage.’

Optimism and the Future

Before we say goodbye, Metro had to ask Sam his current thoughts on the possibility of UFOs, since he once saw one in Hawaii. Laughing, he shared: ‘I think that believing in aliens and UFOs — and bear with me here — is wholly optimistic. It’s at base level, a good practice for optimism in your life to believe in UFO. Because for any society to get to a point where they can make the breakthrough of faster than light travel, means that they have, as a society, decided to not use that technology to blow each other up.’

‘We’re in the throes of it now, it feels like any moment we could be like, “Oh, by the way, nuclear war is beginning,” you know. So for a society to transcend the technology, go past that stage and use its collective mind to break through faster than light travel means that that society has found a way to live in harmony and peace. ‘So because of that, I think it’s completely a state of optimism to believe in aliens.’

The Future is Bright: Upcoming Releases

Sam Ryder’s new album Heartland will be released on October 17th and is available to pre-order. New single ‘The Feeling Never Went Away’ is out now. As he gears up for this new chapter, fans eagerly await what Sam has in store, both in terms of music and live performances. His journey reflects the highs and lows of a creative life, showcasing resilience and the power of optimism.

As we look forward to Sam's next steps, it’s clear that his journey is far from over. How will he continue to inspire others with his music and message of hope? Only time will tell. #SamRyder #Heartland #MusicJourney

FAQs About Sam Ryder

What is Sam Ryder's new album about?

Sam Ryder's new album Heartland delves into his personal struggles and triumphs, documenting his journey through optimism and adversity.

When is Sam Ryder's upcoming tour?

Sam Ryder's biggest show at Wembley Arena is scheduled for November 6, just weeks after the release of Heartland.

What was Sam Ryder's experience at Glastonbury?

Sam Ryder had an exhilarating experience at Glastonbury, performing multiple secret sets and enjoying the excitement of connecting with fans in a unique setting.

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