Takin' A Walk – Music History with Buzz Knight

Episode: Buzz Knight and Sam Ryder: Embracing Passion and Authenticity in Music’s Emotional Journey
Release Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Sam Ryder

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth and heartfelt conversation between Buzz Knight and celebrated musician Sam Ryder. They discuss Sam’s beginnings, his viral rise, the transformative power of music, his philosophy on gratitude and authenticity, creative struggles, and what fans can expect from his upcoming projects. The conversation is rich with personal anecdotes, candid insights, and memorable moments—ideal for music fans, aspiring artists, and anyone fascinated by the emotional journey underpinning the music industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dream Collaborators & Musical Idols

• Walk With a Legend ([04:19])
  • If Sam could take a walk with any musician, he’d choose Freddie Mercury, then pivoted to suggest Luciano Pavarotti—dreaming of a stroll through the vineyards of Tuscany before a majestic performance.
    • Quote:
      “Pavarotti would be amazing, right?... it’d be in some vineyard in Tuscany... air's cooled off... just stoked to be there, about to watch him sing.” — Sam Ryder ([05:22])

2. Early Musical Memories & Inspirations

• First Song, First Spark ([06:38])
  • Sam’s earliest memory: Singing Freddie Mercury’s “Living On My Own” in the back of his parents’ Volvo, much to his mother’s annoyance.
    • Quote:
      “That was my first memory of singing and also annoying someone, and they kind of go hand in hand, which is good.” — Sam Ryder ([07:17])

3. The Essence and Mystery of Music

• Trying to Explain Music ([08:37])
  • Sam and Buzz marvel at music’s inexplicably deep impact.
    • Quote:
      “It’s vibrating atoms in the air that our eardrums make sense of... Crazy. That’s mental, isn’t it?... Who knows why we cannot live without it?” — Sam Ryder ([08:37])
  • Music’s universality: It’s the first element considered for any event, be it wedding or charity.
    • Quote:
      “First thing people do... right, who are we gonna get to play? Every single time.” — Sam Ryder ([09:29])

4. Healing Power of Music and Mantra

• Therapeutic Magic ([10:06])
  • Sam discusses spiritual experiences in mantra and sound workshops:
    • Describes communal singing in Portugal, comparing it to the “Avatar” scene at the Tree of Souls.
    • Quote:
      “You’re one organism and one breath and one being with everyone in the room... It’s not about singing well... It’s really fascinating... very spiritual experience, actually.” — Sam Ryder ([12:04])

5. Viral Breakthrough & Perseverance

• From Renovation to Recognition ([13:00])
  • Recalls recording covers in his parents’ shed at age 31 after years of “crumbs” of success—until viral recognition by superstars like Elton John and Justin Bieber.
    • Quote:
      “I was getting to a place... making peace with the fact that I might not make it... never the big one, never the big loaf, just the crumbs. And then I just started singing for fun... Free from the shackles of... immense pressure.” — Sam Ryder ([14:41])
  • No Plan B, only music.
    • Quote:
      “Plan B was singing at weddings. But I’d never not sing in this life.” — Sam Ryder ([15:37])

6. Gratitude and Groundedness

• Personal Philosophy ([23:16])
  • How Sam stays grounded: prayer, empathy, kindness, and surrounding himself with positive influences.
    • Quote:
      “Daily prayer, empathy, kindness. Trying to surround myself with people that bring out the best qualities in me and hopefully I can help do the same... optimism and hope and faith, knowing that I’ve got a purpose...” — Sam Ryder ([23:16])

7. Frontier Soul – Defining His Genre

• Cinematic Influences and Emotional Honesty ([24:43])
  • Sam’s genre “frontier soul” fuses lush, cinematic “frontier” soundscapes with passionate, soulful vocals inspired by classic Westerns and golden-era Hollywood scores.
    • Quote:
      “Frontier soul... is mixing a little bit of the desert, a little bit of that dust, a little bit of those twangy Tarantino guitars in with passion, with feeling and with truth.” — Sam Ryder ([26:36])

8. Songwriting – ‘Feeling Never Went Away’

• Inside the Creative Process ([26:45])
  • The song encapsulates emotional honesty—recognizing that some feelings persist and self-doubt can resurface, but this doesn’t define one’s character.
    • Quote:
      “It’s about understanding and making peace with the fact that you might not have exorcised all your demons yet... all of us have angst in us just the same as all of us have kindness...” — Sam Ryder ([28:36])
    • Insight:
      Identifies the importance of “I’m feeling” instead of “I am”—not letting negative emotions define one’s identity.

9. The New Album & The Road to Wembley

• Upcoming Milestones ([30:38])
  • Anticipating album release and headlining Wembley Arena, Sam shares creative struggles and hard-won lessons during the album’s creation.
    • Quote:
      “There were times I didn’t think I was ever going to finish it... but I think that’s what making stuff takes out of you. It shouldn’t ever be easy.” — Sam Ryder ([31:23])

10. Major Milestones: Glastonbury and Wembley

• First Glastonbury & Fulfilling Dreams ([32:09])
  • Describes Glastonbury’s scale (250,000 strong) and the relentless, uplifting energy of the festival.
    • Quote:
      “They say 250,000 people are in that area. So essentially, it’s like the city of Bristol in a field for four days... it never stops.” — Sam Ryder ([32:47])
  • Prepping for Wembley—where he first saw Sum 41 as a teen—and plans to leave something under his old seat.
    • Quote:
      “That night was so special and so... life-changing for me... I can only hope that people come and see us play... and leave feeling the same way.” — Sam Ryder ([36:19])

11. Coping with Pressure & Mental Health

• Facing the Darkness & Recovering Gratitude ([37:09])
  • Candidly details struggles with anxiety and feeling lost—emphasizing the importance of relinquishing control, leaning on gratitude, and knowing it’s okay not to have all the answers.
    • Quote:
      “To put yourself in a space of gratitude, for me is a space of trust... you don’t have control of what’s coming... That is making peace with that and knowing that you don’t have the control.” — Sam Ryder ([37:09])
    • Advice:
      Seek support in low moments; trust in hope, faith, and the people around you.

12. Memorable Moments & Tone

• Throughout, Sam’s candor and authenticity shine, drawing on humor, humility, and self-reflection.
• Banter about first concerts, family influences, and unlikely scenarios adds warmth and relatability.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Pavarotti would be amazing, right?... it’d be in some vineyard in Tuscany...” — Sam Ryder ([05:22])
• “That was my first memory of singing and also annoying someone, and they kind of go hand in hand...” — Sam Ryder ([07:17])
• “It’s vibrating atoms in the air that our eardrums make sense of... Crazy. That’s mental, isn’t it?” — Sam Ryder ([08:37])
• “Frontier soul... is mixing a little bit of the desert, a little bit of those twangy Tarantino guitars in with passion, with feeling and with truth.” — Sam Ryder ([26:36])
• “It shouldn’t ever be easy, because it should be, you know, holding a mirror up to the darkest parts of yourself and confronting it and... trying to put it into words...” — Sam Ryder ([31:23])
• “To put yourself in a space of gratitude, for me is a space of trust... you don’t have control of what’s coming...” — Sam Ryder ([37:09])
• “That night was so special and so, like, life changing for me... I left that room knowing what I wanted to do.” — Sam Ryder ([36:19])
• “I’d never not sing in this life.” — Sam Ryder ([15:37])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:19] Dream musical walk: Freddie Mercury and Pavarotti
• [06:38] Early musical memories and influences
• [09:51] On music’s universal role and healing power
• [10:06] Spiritual and therapeutic experiences with music
• [13:00] Viral covers and coping with delayed success
• [15:37] No Plan B—music or nothing
• [23:16] Discussing gratitude and staying grounded
• [24:43] Explaining “frontier soul”
• [26:45] Story behind “Feeling Never Went Away”
• [30:38] Upcoming album, creative struggles, and Wembley
• [32:09] Reflections on Glastonbury and Wembley milestones
• [37:09] Managing anxiety, pressure, and hope

Summary Tone & Takeaways

The episode is intimate and uplifting, marked by Sam Ryder’s humility, warmth, and passion for authenticity in music and life. Listeners gain insight into the “magic beneath the hood” of artistry—where perseverance, gratitude, and spiritual openness lead to both creative breakthroughs and healing. Sam’s journey, from humble beginnings to Wembley Arena, is rendered universal through frank talk about creative doubt, purpose, and hope.

For aspiring artists or anyone struggling with doubt, Sam’s message:

“You’re never given anything you can’t handle... finding the magic in it can’t be defined by any metric.” ([16:57])

For more in-depth music history interviews, follow Takin’ A Walk on all major podcast platforms.