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The untold truth of Sam Smith’s formative years, preserved in a timelined archive of connection

“Sam Smith Their Incredible Journey” is a beautiful documentary which captures the three defining years that changed everything for Sam – from their personal transformation to their creative birth. The film beautifully captures the essence of Sam evolving. Through intimate stories and never-before-seen moments, Sam shares their journey of resilience, growth and appreciation.

“I’ve gone on an incredible journey.” Sam

The emotion, the evolution, and the inspiration behind the name everyone knows – and the story no one was told.

“I want to be the first male diva” Sam

Before The Fame Sam was an aspiring young wannabe seeking stardom with one dream and a determination “I Want To Be A Star”.


Review Extract: Sam Smith Their Incredible Journey is the unique and exclusive account of the discovery and formative years of a much-loved global superstar. We are now used to every stage of every youngster’s life being documented on video and social media so might expect every future celebrity to be trailing none too revealing baggage of their childhood selves, but this film is different. Not only has this material been long unavailable and never-before seen, but it captures the evolution of ambition into art, the process and sympathetic teamwork of nurturing a star into being, the recognition and blossoming of a true natural talent in a film that is fascinating and unprecedented. James Norton Doc Review - Click Here

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When Sam Met Bob long 2 1

‘When Sam Met Bob’ was the life defining meeting for Sam with Bob of ‘Ria John Bob’.

‘My Story’ is an extract from Sam’s Story written by Sam June 2009.
“Sam however then started attending Saturday School in Sylvia Young Theatre School.  Although this Highlighted Sam’s want and hunger for the music industry it opened the biggest door he’s ever opened when his singing Teacher Bobby took immediate interest.”

“March 2007, an imposing 6ft-2 young man walked into my musicals’ class just as we were performing songs from ‘Mack and Mabel’; that was 14½ year-old Sam Smith”. Bob.

At that time, Sam was considering musicals for his future career; he was also performing jazz songs with his singing teacher Joanna Eden and covers of the female divas he loved. Sam’s passion for music was evident” but Bob saw the real potential in Sam and in his voice and knew they should be in pop music where they could write and perform original songs. So, he introduced Sam and their parents, Kate & Fred, to his own “artist-centric” label Venus & Mars Music (V&M).

V&M (John & Dee) agreed with Bob’s views and Kate and Fred were very keen to have Sam signed straight away but, always aware of the danger of pushing young artists too soon, John and Dee thought Sam was too young to sign. Instead, they arranged studio time for Sam with Bob and trusted producer-friend Adam Helal. Both had Sam’s interest at heart and taught Sam studio technique while recording songs of Sam’s choice including ‘Breathless’ / ‘Feeling Good’ / ‘Mac The Knife’ / ‘Let There Be Love’ / ‘My Love Is Your Love’ / ‘Rehab’ … and all without Sam signing a contract!  Sam loved every minute. Bob and Adam also produced Sam’s first album ‘Sam Smith Diva Boy’ of which Sam said… “I love Sam Smith Diva Boy, I’ve grown up with it, and I’ve grown as a person with it”.

Read More About 'When Sam Met Bob'

Sam’s first album ‘Sam Smith Diva Boy’ was licensed by Kosmo Records. Kosmo retitled it ‘Sam Smith The Lost Tapes Remixed’ and released it worldwide. Available in all online shops includingspotifyapple music

REVIEW

‘Sam Smith Their Incredible Journey’ – A Film that is fascinating and unprecedented

is the unique and exclusive account of the discovery and formative years of a global superstar. We are now used to each stage of every young life being documented on video and social media so might expect every future celebrity to be trailing none too revealing baggage of their childhood selves, but this film is different. Not only has most of this material been long unavailable and never seen, but it captures the evolution of ambition into art, the process and sympathetic teamwork of nurturing a star into being, the recognition and blossoming of a true natural talent in a film that is fascinating and unprecedented.

Far from being a memoir remote from a subject now far removed into the stratosphere, this is Sam Smith’s original story told in their own words; a line we hear from Sam is “I’ve gone on an incredible journey”. Another line is a graphic statement made at the tender age of 15: “I want to be a star” and the film that follows details the vision and guidance that made that dream a reality.

It begins by setting out the story of Sam’s discovery by musician Bobby Pearce of the band ‘Ria John Bob’ when Sam sang in a musical class taught by Bobby at the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Bobby then introduced Sam and their parents to his band’s Indie label Venus & Mars Music (V&M) run by Dee O’Reilly and John O’Reilly (Long established Aunt & Nephew team).

From the treasure trove of material gathered by Dee and John and teammate Betty Kane, in the first three years of Sam’s career, they have made this film, set to be released on their innovative ‘My Life on a Stick’ platform – in every sense of biographical films, images, videos, chat, and music recordings.

This exposition is accompanied by a taste of what is to come; one of the major exclusives that make up the film is a video of Sam’s first professional live show at The Spectator in London 2008, just before his 16th birthday accompanied by Bobby.

The rich spine of the film consists of a previously unseen interview – Dee with a remarkably frank and mature Sam, still aged only 17, whose tone is set right from the start: Dee… “Tell us who you are Sam Smith”.​ Sam… “Sam Smith is a proud homosexual person…” and Sam sets out (predicts) their masterplan for world domination by game changing musical empathy and emotion.

It’s a bold, confident start, and the exclusives continue with the revelation of how it all began with Bobby, the man who discovered Sam. Bobby is a charming music industry veteran, a musician and performance coach who, seated at the piano, which he uses for dramatic and witty effect, tells us how he spotted Sam’s potential as “an iconic singer” and details of Sam’s unique voice … Bobby felt compelled to bring it to fruition via his own band’s label – Venus and Mars Music. “I knew that Sam needed a development label and management with whom he would be safe and secure. We (Ria John Bob) have been the beneficiaries of such all our creative lives with Dee O’Reilly Management and their indie label, Venus and Mars Music”

The film cuts back and forth between these interviews to build up the picture of Sam’s youth in a uniquely intimate portrait, embellished by video diaries by the teenage Sam, showing a precocious televisual fluency, and a tour of his idyllic home in the Pink House in rural Cambridgeshire, with witty pop-up graphics and asides about the great divas of the age who inspired Sam.

Fans will be thrilled by bursts of the first songs Sam wrote, as well as Bobby playing some of his own material that Sam recorded and performed in those early days. Bobby regularly travelled to the family home where they routined, in search and development, of Sam’s proper voice; they also rehearsed and demoed songs that were eventually laid down in the studio as Sam’s debut album ‘Sam Smith Diva Boy’. These filmed sessions include amusing cutaways of Sam’s devoted parents commenting, ironing, and cooking nearby as Sam sings on the sofa.

The film’s next treat for fans is the video for Sam’s first single ‘Bad Day All Week’, a catchy, cheeky, rousing calling card with behind-the-scenes footage of the extras and Sam’s enthusiastic friends who joined in for the occasion. Crew, Cast and extras are all around Sam’s age, a V&M idea meant to energise Sam. The film is also full of the first songs Sam recorded, including the favourite that had a personal meaning for Sam – ‘So Much More To Lose’.

At the heart of the interview, in answer to Dee’s question, Sam says “I’m feeling incredibly found”, and what makes this film so remarkable is that it finds Sam Smith at the moment when Sam has found their own identity both personally and artistically.

Again, led by Dee’s profound questions, Sam then opens up with a brave and articulate self-awareness beyond their years about the role their sexuality has played in finding this identity, and the realisation that they have always identified with female artists on stage.

Although Sam Smith appears in this film, even from an early age, to be a fully formed talent with an angelic voice and an incredible range, the film traces the expert development of Sam by the Dee, John, Betty team.

As Sam grows in confidence and vision, they explain the personal meaning behind their concept album project, MayDay, destined to be their second album with V&M. This leads to more exclusive footage of Sam headlining a benefit show for the Haiti earthquake where he performs some of their MayDay self-penned songs.

When Sam sets out their dream of diversifying their career beyond music, fans will surely be salivating at the prospect of the promised Sam Smith cookbook!

“I want to be the world’s first trailblazer homosexual star. I know you have Elton John and George Michael but the first one that’s not afraid to do anything.” This may sound like hyperbole, but Sam fulfilled those predictions set out in these pioneering interviews of being the first non-binary global superstar.

The film ends with Sam taking up the song ‘All This Madness’ that his proud first teacher Bobby wrote for them while reiterating their mission statements that they went on to fulfil so spectacularly. ‘Sam Smith Their Incredible Journey’ is a film that every fan will cherish, made by the people closest to them at the outset, a unique tribute, and a gift of devotion to a great talent.

A star is born. James Norton

 

“Wow Wow Wow Wow. I am well and truly, happy.
I really made a great decision going with V&M.
They are changing my life.
I have achieved things that people spend a life time trying to do.
All I can say is thank you so much, thank you, thank you”
Sam 2008

“I’m feeling found” Sam 2009
“V&M taught me that LOVE is vital” Sam 2010

 

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