Sammi Morelli

Sammi Morelli is an award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter. In 2015, she released the single “Everything You Are” as the first of a new, more soulful sound that featured strong 80’s vibes and a verse from Vancouver’s rising hip-hop star Stevie Ross​. It earned three Niagara Music Award nominations for Best Song, Best Songwriter and won “Best Female Vocalist.”

It started young, she says. “I was absolutely one of those kids who couldn’t stop singing… everywhere I went, any time of day… I’d just be in my own little world singing away.” Soon after realizing she had a general love of music, she began writing her own melodies because it was “such a natural thing to hear full orchestrations in my head and sing along to those”.

(Editor’s Note: Maybe nobody ever told her yet that hearing the full musicality of an orchestra in your head is a talent. Then again, maybe it’s witchcraft…)

GGM: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
SAMMI: “I consider myself a bit of a witch… but I only use my powers for good ;)”
In 2016 and 2017, a series of serendipitous events (along with a few gutsy moves) led Sammi to assemble an all-star team of producers & writers for her highly anticipated forthcoming album, including; multi-platinum, Juno award winning producer Ryan Stewart​ (Carly Rae Jepsen, Hedley, Simple Plan), Grammy-award winner Ian Prince​ (Quincy Jones, Bobby Brown), along with powerhouse singer/songwriter Laurell​ (Tritonal, Boehm, Charlie, Eurovision 2017, Santa Clara) and Billboard Top 100 artist/songwriter Stef Lang​ (DYLN).

Fresh off a 25-date Cross-Canada tour Spring 2017 — where she wowed audiences from Montreal to Vancouver — she’s unleashed her new single “Everybody Bleeds” which reached nearly 25,000 Pandora spins in it’s first week. Hear it here:


Sammi joked her answers to our questions were a bit wordy, but we think the context she gave us about “Everybody Bleeds” made the song that much better. “We [Sammi and Ryan] actually wrote “Everybody Bleeds” on Nov 8th, 2016… the day of the last American election. I was a big fat emotional wreck — cause even as a Canadian — I do keep up with what’s going on with the world stage and knew what was at stake. We just couldn’t ignore that chaotic energy that was so palpable that day. So when I got to the studio, Ryan and I naturally started talking about it, the state of the earth, society and particularly about how there’s so much division and fighting with no room to listen or put yourself in the other persons shoes. We’ve seen how much more productive and peaceful we can be when we just learn to listen & have compassion with each other, even if we don’t agree… I hope that in some way, “Everybody Bleeds” highlights the fact that, despite our differences of opinion, beliefs, skin color, nationality, gender identity or sexual preference… we’re all human underneath, and inspires people to be kind to each other.”

It’s not a stretch to say that compassion and intuition are two of the strongest invisible forces of witchcraft that guide many of the best artists. Sammi’s thoughtfulness was continually striking throughout this interview, and it’s clear that this wisdom comes from experience. “I remember being thirteen years old and having my manager at the time suggest I get a personal trainer to slim down… because, of course, it’s all about sex-appeal when you’re a pre-pubescent singer-songwriter entering the market.” Please understand her sarcasm button was *on* there.



She says, “That’s just one particular example of how backwards this business is… and how early it starts. Those conversations and critiques about my body some people feel entitled to have (like it has anything to do with my music) have never stopped… and I’ve rarely heard of my male colleagues experiencing anything close to it.” Regardless of shared experiences and statistics about the entertainment industry’s continuous struggle towards gender parity, Sammi says she’s glad to see the tides are changing, thanks “to the many courageous, strong folks who speak their truths, support each other and take shit from no one.”

Keep your eyes on Sammi in 2018. She’s got a full length album on the way and says she’s been working on it tirelessly for the past couple years. “Almost 20 years into writing and recording music for my and many other projects, deals, tours, and reinventions… I’ve learned to trust my intuition & instincts as an artist… to lead with my heart. Feeling stronger & more empowered than ever… still in my own little world singing away!”

“Almost 20 years into writing and recording music for my and many other projects, deals, tours, and reinventions… I’ve learned to trust my intuition & instincts as an artist.” - Girl Gang Music

It’s those delicate soul-soaked vocals that hooks you right into her vibrant pop jam with an intoxicating tribal bounce!.. - The Dutch Guy - KickAssIndieJams

Pop artist Sammi Morelli’s “Everybody Bleeds” was written the day of the US election, a comment on how we have to respect the perspectives of all types of people in this political landscape we are in. - Ride The Tempo

This is ‘Everybody Bleeds‘ the new release of Sammi Morelli! This great song has been written for people who are struggling with all the world: frustration, anger, loneliness, violence are some of the many state of mind that people feel. If you are one of these people, you have to listen to this song. - EDM Insiders

BC-based singer-songwriter Sammi Morelli has released a brand new single entitled “Everybody Bleeds” along with an accompanying lyric video. “Everybody Bleeds” was co-written and produced by Juno-Award winner Ryan Stewart and mastered by Multi-Grammy Award Winner, Tom Coyne. The song was written on November 8, 2016, the day of the American election. When asked about this, Sammi commented

“We didn’t know what the outcome would be.. we just knew it wasn’t something we could write around… instead felt compelled to address head on in a way that would rise above the divisiveness and fear. No matter our skin colour, who we love, what religion we do or don’t practice, our differences…We are all human underneath. We have hearts that beat…Everybody Bleeds. Meaning, no matter what, as fellow humans on this planet journey together we need to take care of each other, respect each other… and choose LOVE. I hope you love it!” - Canadian Beats

“Everybody Bleeds” has a fun Bieber/Major Lazer vibe with a really positive & relevant message of unity and shared humanity.

It was written on Nov 8, 2016… the day of the American Election… here’s a little blurb on that;

“We didn’t know what the outcome would be.. we just knew it wasn’t something we could write around… instead felt compelled to address head on in a way that would rise above the divisiveness and fear. No matter our skin colour, who we love, what religion we do or don’t practice, our differences…We are all human underneath. We have hearts that beat…Everybody Bleeds. Meaning, no matter what, as fellow humans on this planet journey together we need to take care of each other, respect each other… and choose LOVE.”

Watch the Official Lyric Video for Everybody Bleeds below: - Music News Site

Sometimes it takes a journey into the heart of the beast to find ways to conquer it. For soulful pop songstress Sammi Morelli, that meant taking a four-year hiatus from her music-making passion to explore the often dark and sinister workings of the music industry, operating from the inside as an on-air personality at various “all-hit” radio stations. The education she received from the experience taught her the valuable lessons she is now vigorously applying to her rejuvenated dream of become a superstar pop vocalist.

“I took some time off after my last production deal and got into radio and it really gave me a first-hand master class on what works and what doesn’t,” said Sammi, a British Columbia native who’s executing her plan for world conquest from the supportive and friendly environment she’s discovered since moving to St. Catharines. “It was pretty time consuming and I thought I could do both but I couldn’t. I needed to be doing music fulltime. So I quit and re-dedicated myself to my music. It definitely relit the fire in me and I feel like I’m ready this time. It feels right.”

The formal “re-education” that Sammi’s radio experience provided was necessary despite a vast musical resume that began at a very young age. By the time she was 13, she had co-penned and recorded her first five-song EP, and by 16 was lending her versatile and powerful voice to popular B.C. band “The New Colours.” Further high profile exposure on MTV Live and CBC’s The X, an opening slot for The Black Eyed Peas and song placements in the PlayStation game “In The Groove” and the TV series “Smallville” quickly sent her hopes for long-term career success soaring. However, witnessing the methods and machinery responsible for churning out FM radio’s homogenized playlists has given her a new perspective on the business and a laser-focused approach to song-writing.

“I’ve been able to sit in music meetings where (songs) are left on the cutting room floor, and they’re fantastic songs but they just don’t fit on the radio station’s format,” said Sammi, whose infectious personality can be enjoyed locally on Niagara’s top AC station, 105.7 EZ ROCK. “I think the greatest lesson that taught me is that the song has to be a great song to get played. You can’t think about genre or trying to fit some kind of formula. You just have to write what you feel and if it speaks to people and has a place on a radio station that’s great.”

What she’s feeling these days is the inspiration of some of her greatest pop influences, writing songs that deliver the rhythmic appeal of artists like Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson while reflecting the dance-hall sensibilities of Donna Summer, Britney Spears and Motown legend Diana Ross. It’s a crowded space for a female vocalist making music she hopes will land her on the pop charts, but Sammi says she’s not making the mistake of straying from her artistic vision and musical passions. It’s an approach that reflects the maturity she’s gained from the various ups and downs experienced in her career.

“I can’t ever imagine not having music in my life, but there was a time I let people guide me into places I thought I should go. It ended up not being the greatest thing for me or my music. It never really clicked ever. Now I feel like no matter what the songs are, the authenticity shines through. There’s definitely a lot of noise in what I’m doing in pop music, but as long as you’re true to yourself and you’ve got a great product to put out into the universe, that’s what makes someone stand out. Definitely the music I’m making with the new EP has a more disco flair, with more contemporary stuff.”

With a catalogue of recently written new songs under her belt, including hook-laden nuggets like “Mine” and the 80s-influenced “Everything You Are,” Sammi has tentatively set a fall release date for her new EP. The realities of being a self-financed indie artist looking for hired guns to record with, however, don’t always align with the strategic plan of releasing new music. That’s part of the inherent career frustration many of Niagara’s up-and-coming young artists experience along their path to success, but it’s certainly not deterring Sammi from keeping a positive attitude. She’s been down the road of trading writing credits for performance fees, and this time she’s determined not to barter away any rights to her new songs.

“It’s hard to find enough funds to get stuff done,” said Sammi, who often performs locally with guitarist Jeff Craig. “That’s the biggest challenge for me. Before when I was (recording), it was mostly on song writing credits or percentage of the masters. So (musicians) would work on commission. But then I wasn’t really able to own my songs. This time around I want to be in the driver’s seat. I want to make sure I can steer the direction of my project the way I want it. And it doesn’t come cheap.”

To that end, she’s putting in the hard work required to make a go of a career in music while searching for a live band who can perform her music. There’s the endless gigging – with three shows scheduled in the Niagara area in the last two weeks of August – plus all the other details of managing her career. In the end, Sammi Morelli knows the effort will pay off.

“I’m doing as much of the work as I can on my own. I’m trying to gather stuff up and make it work. I do all my own booking; I do my own pictures and graphics. It’s a one-stop Sammi shop, even a lot of the pre-production too. I’m not letting anything get in my way.”

You can catch Sammi Morelli performing August 20th at the Holiday Inn Lounge 6 Sky Bar in St. Catharines from 5:30 – 9:00, and again August 27th at Taps on Queen in Niagara Falls.

By David DeRocco - Gobe Weekly

A local musician has recruited some industry heavyweights to help record a new single.

Sammi Morelli’s Everybody Bleeds was co-written and produced by Juno-award winner Ryan Stewart, who has worked with Carly Rae Jepson, Hedley and Andrew Allen.

Tom Coyne mastered the album. His credits include Adele, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber.

Morelli describes the song as a “a fun Bieber-esque/Major Lazer vibe with a really positive message of shared humanity.”


It was written on U.S. election night.

Morelli and the song can be found all over the web, on YouTube, Soundcloud and at sammimorellimusic.com. - Kelowna Daily Courier

By: Jenna Melanson

Vancouver, BC artist Sammi Morelli has released a new single, along with Stevie Ross, “Everything U Are” is the perfect mix of pop, soul and R&B. This track reminds me of the tracks by the powerhouse female artists of the 90’s, such as Mariah Carey & Toni Braxton. I was instantly hooked on this track when I heard it. Sammi is a very talented Canadian artist, that I recommend you keep your eye on, because she’s only going up! - CanadianBeats.com

(Fort Erie, ON) – Sessions On the River is a recording studio located on Niagara Blvd in Fort Erie, Ontario just across the river from Buffalo, NY. Not only is it a recording studio but it also a live music venue hosting Live At Sessions – live band showcases on Friday nights in front of a live studio audience and streamed online.

Vancouver singer/songwriter Sammi Morelli was featured on May 15 along with guitarist Jeff Craig. Hosted by BS Live Rocks of Maxink Radio, Morelli showcased her music along with some covers and storytelling.

The hour-long session also included questions by BS Live Rocks’ Shane Christopher Neal and Bobby Rock. - Music Life Magazine

A natural performer from the get-go, Sammi Morelli was singing and dancing her way up the ladder until she recorded her first record while still a pre-teen. Hailing from the Vancouver suburb of Langley, the friends and family members who joined her on stage and in studio helped flesh out her songs into a cohesive collection, never settling in one place too long. Elements of jazz, pop, dance, and indie folk find their way into her substantial body of work over the subsequent years, each take a personal and singular vision come to life. Possessing killer pipes and an electric stage presence, this vivacious and engaging chanteuse came to Ontario a bit over a year ago and set up shop in St. Catharines. Writing and recording music and doing her gig as a weekend radio jock brought her to the attention of more than a few folks, and one of those people were pretty sure we’d want to have her on Barber Shop Podcast – and they were right on the money.
Fun, fresh and friendly is the only way to go through life, and with a lite help from Jeff Craig on guitar, Sammi Morelli makes the most of her time in the chair.

You gotta love it. - Barbershop Podcast