- Lead singer Sam Seekings has launched a solo career after the split of his highly successful band Convict Accidental in 2013. - He is preparing to release his first solo single on April 10th and a full solo album in June, which will have some influences from Convict Accidental's sound but also explore new musical directions. - In addition to working on his new music, Sam is planning a tour of the US and UK to promote his upcoming release and build his solo career.

1. Music Magazine Article
Convict Accidental were one of the biggest
bands of 2012, headlining the main stage at
Leeds and Reading that year, but after their
much talked about split in 2013 the convict’s
are finally stirring again. Well, one of them is.
Lead singer Sam Seekings has moved on and,
after taking some time out, is on the verge of
launching his solo career, and we reckon its
going fly sky high. So we invited Sam
Seekings to talk to us about the states, the
split and going solo.
So Sam, how’s life without the band?
Its different. Its great though because my
crew are so much fun and Craig, the sound
guy, was my best friend in college so it’s not
too lonely. I’m looking forward to touring
with him.
Do you ever miss the band?
Well, yeah sometimes. I love the guys they’re
great and we’re all still great friends but it
was just time for it to end and I felt like going
my own way was the right thing to do.
So, the new album? We’re all excited to hear
it, will it have a similar sound to Convict
Accidental or are you taking a completely
new sound?
Its different, I mean you’ll probably hear
some influences from the sound of Convict
Accidental, the sound we created as a band
has been what’s made me grow and it’s
influenced me so much but of course it’s
going to be different too, I’m moving towards
a more unique sound.
Are we going to be hearing any of it soon?
Yes! I’m releasing the first single from the
album on 10 April and the Album will be out
sometime in June.
Wow, that’s soon! So is it all recorded now or
are you still working on some tracks?
No no, everything’s recorded, its just getting
it all polished off now and producing the
actual album itself as whole. But personally
I’ve moved on to planning the tour now.
Yes the tour, we’ve heard you’re heading over
to the US?
Yes I am! I’m so excited! We’ve been planning
the tour and I’ve already been over and
performed as a support for other artists.
How do you think you’ve been received?
Well, I think… I hope! I mean everyone
seemed to like the music and I had plenty of
people coming up and talking to me
afterwards saying the enjoyed it so it can’t
have been too bad.
So do you reckon you’re going to be the next
big British artist to conquer the states?
(laughs) I don’t know about conquer, but I’m
certainly planning on making a name for
myself.
You won’t forget about us when you’re a big
star will you? You’ll come back and tour the
UK again?
Oh yes! Definitely! I’ll always come back to
the UK, its my home. I’m starting my tour in
UK anyway, so don’t worry, you’ll still see
plenty of me.
Good. So what did you miss most about the
UK on your trip to the states?
My mum’s cooking (laughs), my mum’s
cooking is the best. I still go round for a
Sunday roast every week when I’m not on
tour, my mum’s cooking is definitely what I
missed, and will miss, most.
Do you miss home often then?
Yeah I do. I love Birmingham and I grew up
there, it my home. In fact, I’m doing a secret
show at the Institute in a few weeks, my old
friend’s an events organizer and he asked me
to do, I’m in town anyway so I thought what
the hell. No one knows I’m playing though,
it’s a surprise, so I’m telling anymore.
Wow, what a surprise! Are you supporting
another artist or headlining?
Oh I’m only supporting, you can’t really leave
the headline act of a gig unannounced can
you? No, I know the guys that are playing
actually, they’re great guys and I’m really
looking forward to supporting for them. I’ll
always do gigs in my hometown, it feels like a
betrayal to say no.

2. The band used to have quite a following in
Birmingham, do you still get the same
support now you’re going solo?
Yes of course! The fans understand that the
split was a mutual decision and that we didn’t
all end on bad terms, so I think they’re just
happy to be hearing something new, even if it
isn’t from the band as a whole.
We heard that when you did split, you
received a lot of hate mail claiming that you
were the reason for the split, how did this
feel?
Unfortunately yes, I did. A lot of people
assume that as a lead singer, I have this
arrogance and dominance within the
groupbut that really wasn’t the case and
despite the guys constantly tweeting that I
wasn’t the cause of the break up, people still
like to pin the blame. It didn’t upset me that
much, I know these people were just upset
that we had broken up and we all say hurtful
things when we’re upset so I just ignored it
all and moved on with my life. After all, if I let
criticism and negative comments bring me
down I wouldn’t ever get anywhere. Our
entire career as a band was built on taking in
criticisms and using them to grow and
develop as artists.
That’s a great way to look at it. So will we be
seeing you again soon?
I hope so! Its been great fun, maybe I’ll talk to
you again closer to the album release?
We’d love to! Good luck with the new album
and the tour, after the states, who knows,
maybe you’ll conquer the world!