Pleased To Meet Me: Kerry Samuels / Worry
Since 2020, WORRY has self released an EP titled “After Something” followed by an assortment of singles and DIY style music videos and media to accompany. They’ve also built a cult following via well attended shows and festivals, including sold out shows with bands like July Talk and Solids. They plan to continue this growth by releasing a new album next spring titled “Positive Memory”.
Introduce yourself... (Where are you from, what band do you play in etc..)
My name is Kerry Samuels and I play in a band called Worry from Québec City. But I was born and raised in southern Ontario.
Why do you play music?
I started playing music young as something to do, growing up in a small town. Between smoking weed, and hanging out in the woods, there really wasn’t much else to do. When I was in my 20’s playing in a few different bands both as a drummer, and as a bassist, I went through a pretty heavy breakup and at the same time, a friend of mine passed away. That really messed me up.. But it led me to compose music that would later be Worry songs. So in this project, I started composing music to process heavy emotions and give myself some sort of therapy (my therapist at the time actually suggested I write everything I felt) But now, with my band and the shows we play, I do it cause I love performing. Sometimes people will even tell me that one of my songs really helped them through whatever life experience they're going through, and it always blows me away. THAT'S why I play music. We’re all human, we all worry.
What was a major influence on you as an Artist/Band?
My family. My dad was a bassist when he was young in the 80s and he bought me my first drum kit when I was 13 or something. He also gave me my first PIXIES album and Nirvana as well, which changed my understanding of what music can be. My mom brought me into the world of The Cure and The Smiths, which is a huuuuge inspiration for how I compose lyrics. She also supported me by listening to my amps blast at midnight in the basement. Or when I’d have friends overtrying to form punk bands. (Not to mention the house shows I’d host at her house) Then my sister was always blasting emo bands like My Chem, so I wanted to be cool like her and would steal her CDs (and her makeup)
What’s a favourite book or film?
Impossible to answer.. Waynes World. I shamefully don’t read too much anymore. But I remember Perks of Being a Wallflower really stuck with me.
Do you prefer the recording process or performing live?
Depends on the experience ofboth. But generally speaking, I’d say live performance. Though with a recording you can be creative and critical, nothing beats giving and receiving energy from an audience and going nuts on stage.
What would be a dream collaboration?
Having J Mascis play a solo on one of my songs or something. That or getting booked for an insane tour with a legend like Iggy Pop.
Describe a favourite album.
I’m really into “my anti-aircraft friend” by Julie lately. I think the production is pretty insane on that album. Another one of my all time faves has to be “In Utero” by Nirvana. I think that may be a perfect album.
What's your favourite local haunt?
I’m kind of a loner most of the time and stay home. But when I do go for a beer, it's usually up town Québec City at “Fou-Bar”. I’ll go to “Diner” in Saint Sauveur, like once a week.
What's your strangest experience while performing live?
We played at a street festival and there was a guy smoking crack pretty close to me. If I were pursuing anything other than music it would be... : something more simple....
What are some of your favourite aspects of being a musician in Quebec City?
The community. I feel like as soon as I moved here, so many people were nterested in the music I was making. It took me no time at all to form a friend group, a band, then some sort of following.
If you weren’t playing music in Quebec City where would you be ?
I have this dream of being a horse farmer in a desert.
Any sage advice for young musicians?
Keep going. Even when it sucks, just keep at it. Practice all the time and be a nice person.
“Sweet Winter” is the newest release from the Québec City based “emo-gaze”punk band, WORRY and it releases October 21st!