Samantha Loveridge discusses her latest outing on Get Physical Music, ‘Turned To Stone’ with Kali Mija

Hey Samantha! Thanks for sitting down with us, what have you been up to during summer?

Hey MI4L! Thanks for having me. My summer has been so much fun! I spent three months back home in the UK, catching up with family and friends, and taking some time to rest and recover from my usual routine. I also used it as a base for my first ever EU tour, traveling back and forth to Europe every weekend for gigs. It was an incredible learning experience playing on so many different dance floors and exploring each city along the way, something I love doing!

Next month, you’re teaming up with Kali Mija for a new drop on Get Physical Music, ‘Turned To Stone’. We’d love to know more about this single and what the collaborative process was like?

This one is a classic case of “the universe doing its thing”! The original track was supposed to be an official remix of an 80’s classic for Get Physical, but when that fell through, I planned to release it as a free download. I sent the track to Kid Fonque from Defected Records, who loved the instrumental but wasn’t sure about the vocal. He suggested sending him just the instrumental to explore a new vocal, and soon after, he sent it back with Kali Maji’s magic. I had no idea he had her in mind! I knew of Kali, not just from her presence in the afro house scene, but also because she’s released on Inward Records, a label I manage. When I saw the new track title, I got excited, and from the first sentence she sang, I got goosebumps! Without us having any prior communication, Kali captured the essence of the original track and the emotions I felt when creating it – I couldn’t believe it! Kali hadn’t even heard the original version, only the instrumental, which made me feel like it was meant to be. After some edits, the track had developed its own identity so I sent it back to Get Physical, who loved it, and wanted to sign it. By the time the process had finished the original wasn’t sounding so current, so Get Physical supported me to make a hybrid version, and now here we are!

What do you feel are the most important elements of an afro house track, and why?

For me, it’s all about the percussion. Even if you’re not listening to a track that’s strictly afro house, the moment you hear instruments like the djembe, congas, shakers, and bongos, your ears are instantly drawn to that afro house vibe.

You’ve had an impressive career so far as a mainstay on Get Physical Music and a vital part of the afro house world, what sparked your partnership with this imprint and what do you have planned for the future?

Our relationship kicked off with the release of ‘Losing My Religion’, which was a huge success and marked the start of an incredibly positive partnership. I felt great energy from the team right from the beginning. Everything felt effortless and over time, we’ve built a strong relationship. Each release together has led to new opportunities, like this interview, which is invaluable exposure for artists. You don’t get that with many labels, where you often feel like just another number in the release catalog. We’ve both discussed a mutual desire to keep releasing together and we already have something exciting lined up for 2025!

What would you say has been your most cherished performance of 2024 so far?

I’d say one of the standout moments for me was supporting Tim Green at Sydney’s Café Del Mar for Return To Rio. It was a huge honour to be trusted with the chance to play just before him, especially as it was the first time they’d given me such a big responsibility. At the time I was going through a lot personally and my life felt upside down, but I understood the importance of the opportunity so I pushed myself to prepare as best as I could. Even though I was incredibly nervous, the gig went amazingly well! The positive feedback from the crowd and the Return To Rio team meant so much to me, and I ended up really enjoying myself—a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a while.

What other artists are particularly inspiring you right now and why?

One artist who has inspired me since the first track I heard is Trikk. I’m drawn to his tough, war drum sound paired with those wonky melodies! Other artists on a similar vibe to this are Djolee and Gespona from Rummel, it’s right up my street! I’ve also been loving the music coming from Meloko and the Azzur gang lately, they’re creating some really sexy sounds. I’m also inspired by artists like Argoria, FAE (IT), SKALA, AIKON, Yet More, and Nandu. I absolutely love what they’re putting out.

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

I’m prioritising my health, fitness, and well-being, as I’ve found that being in a good place physically and mentally significantly enhances my music production. This year, I’m focused on finalising my current projects and preparing demos for 2025, as well as new collaborations. I’m excited about some upcoming gigs, where I’ll be sharing the stage with incredible artists like Adam Ten, Frankey & Sandrino, and Monkey Safari. With summer and festival season around the corner in Australia, there’s a lot to look forward to! I’m also exploring tour opportunities and gigs beyond Sydney. I feel so grateful that my passion for music allows me to travel the world, another passion of mine, and I’m keen to embrace as many opportunities as possible.

Pre-Order ‘Turned To Stone’ HERE

Follow Samantha Loveridge: Instagram – Soundcloud – Beatport