“My parents figured I could sing when I was 2 or… 3,” Samuel J Verlinden, also known as Sam V, recounts in our recent interview. I have so much respect for him. I could barely talk when I was 2, let alone comprehend anything at the age of 3, and he is over here singing and being pitch perfect.
Sam V shared with us his remarkable musical journey, from his early recognition as a child prodigy to his current status as an independent artist. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, and of Cook Islands descent, Sam V's musical talent was apparent from a young age. His parents noticed his exceptional pitch and memory for keys when he was just two or three years old, and at the age of five, Sam V began participating in singing competitions. His success was rapid as he started winning all of them.
Recognizing his potential, his parents helped steward his musical gift, enrolling him in musical theater and songwriting programs. At the age of 12, Sam V signed his first development deal with Parachute Studios in Auckland. A year later, he was signed by DNK World Music. However, at the age of 15, Sam V made the bold decision to become an independent artist. This transition came with its challenges.
Going Independent
Sam V: I think for me it wasn't really a choice of going independent. The label, for lack of better terms, bailed out, and I wasn't going to let not having accessibility to a label or management dictate whether I was going to do music. So obviously at that point, it becomes a case of learning the industry, learning the craft, learning the business and learning all the intricacies around that. I think for a lot of people that's where they get scared and shy away from the music industry. But for me I was always a firm believer in my ability to learn information and to thrive in environments.
Keilani: How was it navigating all of that at such a young age?
Sam V: It's hard to go from having industry support, investment, management — like everything — to having nothing. Even things like accessibility to studio time. But I think it just coincided with growing up. I never shied away from the fact that I could sing or that I could perform. I just took opportunities and stayed true to my values and stayed true to myself. And I think I just built good networks as a result of that. And now I've got a really cool community of people that I collaborate and work with and that I really trust. And that's come from 12 plus years of figuring it out, and making mistakes.
Without the typical support structures of a label or management, Sam V had to learn the intricacies of the music industry, including understanding contracts and navigating the business side of things.
“I definitely am such a huge advocate for reading your contracts, seeking things like legal advice, asking questions of people that have been there, done that, people that you trust.”
I hope you are taking notes, friends. Write that down — read your contracts.
The Growth
Despite these obstacles, Sam V's unwavering belief in his ability to thrive in challenging environments propelled him forward. He embraced the opportunity to learn and grow, building a solid foundation for his independent career.
Now, Sam V is about to release more and more music. After a breakup in July of 2024, the heartbreak catapulted him into his next chapter. He released “Rolling Your Eyes,” “90s Fine,” “Runway,” and a couple of others in the span of six or seven months. He has grown exponentially in the past year, going from 10k followers on Instagram to nearly 34k. From August to now, his streams have gone from about 60k monthly listeners to 105k monthly listeners. The growth is astounding.
Sam V emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's values and taking advantage of every opportunity. He credits his success to his resilience, adaptability, and willingness to learn from mistakes. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists, demonstrating that with determination and hard work, it is possible to navigate the complexities of the music industry and build a sustainable career as an independent artist.
Sam V has collaborated with Grammy Award-winning producer and musician Astro and has received recognition from global artists such as Kehlani and Ty Dolla $ign.
“This year there's just more output.”
You heard it here first. Sam V will be releasing quite a few LPs this year and collaborating with many artists from not only New Zealand, but also the United States. You can expect to hear more from our Cookie brother Sam V in 2025.
Fun With Sam V
- Guilty pleasure song: “7 Summers” by Morgan Wallen
- Favorite Cook Islander meal: Ika mata and banana poke
- The Pacific Islander artist he never skips: Melodownz
Images provided by the featured individuals or sourced from their public social media profiles and online platforms. All rights remain with the original creators. Originally published in PMN+ Magazine, March 2025 (Vol. 2 No. 3).
March 2025 · Digital Magazine
