Sam Hansell is one of the coolest new voices we’ve come across in a while. At only nineteen, this Ontario-based musician became Mistape Records’ first featured artist, releasing the album Inopia—an innovative, atmospheric record that combines elements of rock, pop, punk, funk, and jazz for a whirlwind debut. With a tone reminiscent of Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, and other powerhouse vocalists, Sam Hansell is one to watch, and we’re beyond thrilled that we got to hang with him ahead of his inevitable blowup.
Today, Sam chats with us about assembling his impressive debut, his initial dread for songwriting, his favorite raccoon mannerisms, the necessity of collaboration, what’s going on in Canada, and how 7-Eleven hot dogs helped sustain him through many sleepless nights hiding out in the studio. Currently performing with his band, Superstar Crush (recently mentioned by Hanif Abdurraqib in The New Yorker), we can’t wait to see what’s ahead for Sam in both his solo and collaborative careers. Despite his humble attitude, we hope he knows: he’s majorly fucking talented, and we’ll be bragging about this interview for a while.
And for [REDACTED]’s favorite tune on Inopia, go listen to “Clerambault.” Seriously. It rocks.
Read the transcript over at [REDACTED]’s main website: https://redactedblog.com/
RELEVANT LINKS:
[REDACTED] Website: https://redactedblog.com/
[REDACTED] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redactedblog/
Sam Hansell Website: https://samhansell.bandcamp.com/album/inopia
Superstar Crush Website: https://www.superstarcrush.com/
Mistapes Records Website: https://mistape.us/
Sam Hansell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_hansell?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Superstar Crush Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superstarcrushband?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Mixtapes Records Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mistapesrecords?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
“A Year of Listening Beyond the Algorithm” at The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/2025-in-review/a-year-of-listening-beyond-the-algorithm