We’ve had a lot of enthusiastic comment about the song over the final credits of the film. It’s by the wonderful samRB, and is titled ‘Life Has Just Begun’. We’d been looking for something soaring and uplifting to finish the film, and when this song came through we knew it was the one.

It was one of those delightful synergies that have followed the production throughout – Sam didn’t know we were still looking for music, and only sent the song through to share some of the material she was writing for her new album. I was lucky enough to hear it as a demo, when she’d just finished writing it.

It’s also a fact that we’d hoped where possible to use music from people who have been on the inside of the mental health system and know what it’s like. Not that we chose music on that basis – everything was judged on its merits – but it was extra special in that Sam was recently discharged after ten years as a mental health service user . The song was born one day during that time, when Sam was asked what she ‘wished for herself’. Sam is delighted that a song that grew out of making sense of her own experiences has become something that other people have been able to relate and connect to.

Sam is, quite simply, a brilliant musician. Both a talented songwriter and gorgeous singer, she makes songs with depth and feeling. Her forthcoming album, ‘Seems I Might Be Human’ is one to watch out for. Some of the songs on it are available to listen to on her facebook page which you can find here. And while you’re there, click on the ‘Like’ tab.

Sam writes the following about her new album:

“I began writing songs when I was at school. Songwriting for me was a ‘pause button’ that I discovered when I combined poetry and a few self-taught chords on a borrowed guitar.

‘Seems I Might Be Human’ is a collection of songs written over the last 20 years. They describe a journey of which, to be honest, I’d have avoided if I could but as it stands I’ve learnt a great deal along the way and connected with many exceptional people as a result. I hope this is captured in my songwriting and is something that people can connect to.”

‘Seems I Might Be Human’ was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Andrew Buckton at Studio 203, Auckland. ‘Life Has Just Begun’ performed by samRB and Andrew Buckton.

Thanks to: The Mental Health Foundation and Like Minds Like Mine for part-funding this project with a NZ Mental Health Media Grant; Mike Chunn for his guidance and support; Andrew Buckton for his expertise as a musician, producer and engineer; Gabriel Ormsby and Gareth Edwards for their musical contributions; Tim Ingle for the album design; and Mike and Rosemary Riddell for the opportunity to be a part of an exceptional NZ film – The Insatiable Moon.

The album will be released October 1st and distributed online by DRMNZ. Available at iTunes and www.amplifier.co.nz. Copies of album are also available, contact samrb@vodafone.co.nz to pre-order your copy.

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