Music was always ever present when I was growing up, and it's continued to be the most important and intrinsic part of me. It kept me from going off the rails as a kid, and it gave me rare purpose and self-confidence that I couldn't find from anything else.

Sam Fender

My dad was a club musician. He was always playing guitar and playing loads of soul records and '60s rock n' roll. Whenever he used to cook, he used to play Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin, The Kinks, and the Spencer Davis Group - a lot of really earthy things.

Sam Fender

I write from the perspective of an early 20s kid who is trying to grasp an idea of what the hell is going on.

Sam Fender

The music industry as a whole needs to genuinely make a conscious effort to look after people's physical and mental health.

Sam Fender

A lot of my songs are just posing questions, because I'm on a journey to find the answers myself.

Sam Fender

My brother was a drummer, and he was always, like, smashing the kit around when I was a kid, and my dad was, like, one of them old musicians, and he played in, like, loads of different bands in the '70s and '80s. Him and my brother were kind of like my main inspirations.

Sam Fender

I'm a horrendous cook; my mum does my meals. I can only cook beans on toast with cheese.

Sam Fender

I'm hopelessly addicted to Instagram.

Sam Fender

I would cry if I met Bruce Springsteen, man. I don't think I'd be able to handle it.

Sam Fender

I'll always just be stupid boy, and I'm happy with that.

Sam Fender

The Cure wrote 'Boys Don't Cry,' and it's the same today: as a boy, you're not meant to show your emotions, but if you don't have a job or any prospects, you're going to be depressed, and it will be much worse if you can't express that. I hate the term because it's become a buzzword, but it's toxic masculinity.

Sam Fender

I try my best not to be preachy.

Sam Fender

I was told not to cry as a kid.

Sam Fender

I recorded 'Play God' in a shed. I don't know how we got it to sound as good as it did.

Sam Fender

Even when a Geordie is trying to be nasty, it doesn't sound that threatening.

Sam Fender

I think I got stopped on the train once by a kid, and that was the first time I realised I had fans. He was shaking. I just reassured him that I'm an idiot and nothing special, so he didn't have to be nervous. It was very sweet.

Sam Fender

I'm the worst. I get on my Instagram, put up a picture of my face looking all cheekbones and blue steel, and get massive dopamine hits when I see the likes come in.

Sam Fender

My mam and dad were blasting Steely Dan when I was born; the music hasn't stopped since then.

Sam Fender

My favourite writers are always great storytellers, like Bruce Springsteen; I adore Bruce Springsteen. I feel like he doesn't beat around the bush, and he doesn't overcomplicate things. He puts things into layman's terms and tells stories that anyone can understand.

Sam Fender

I put enough pressure on myself already - I can sit here and work myself into an anxiety-filled breakdown without worrying what everyone else is going to think.

Sam Fender

The negative effects of greedy politicians have haunted the north-east for years; it's very apparent.

Sam Fender