Samuel Virgo
Sheffield-born, London-based artist Samuel Virgo explores identity, relationships and personal growth on his new EP Virgo II, while continuing to push his genre-fluid sound in new directions
Blending indie, alternative hip-hop and post-punk, Virgo is carving out a distinctive space in the alternative music scene, drawing inspiration from artists such as Fontaines D.C., Tyler, The Creator, The 1975, Steve Lacy, Blood Orange and Dean Blunt. Through thoughtful songwriting, memorable melodies and self-produced soundscapes, he brings together contrasting influences without confining himself to a single genre. Having previously released music under the name Svirgo19, Virgo returned under his real name to begin a more personal creative chapter, building a project that reflects his experiences and evolving artistic identity. His single “Slip Away” captures the melancholic feeling of losing yourself as you move in and out of love, pairing intimate vocals with understated guitar work and vulnerable songwriting. Entirely written, produced and engineered by Virgo himself, the track showcases the emotional depth of Virgo II, released on October 21, following the darker, introspective themes of the earlier single “ICU”.
In our interview, Samuel Virgo discusses the influences behind his genre-fluid sound, his decision to release music under his real name, and how personal experiences shape his songwriting. He reflects on the freedom of experimenting with different styles, the importance of leaving room for listeners to interpret his lyrics in their own way, and the unique energy of performing live. With Virgo II now out, Virgo also shares his ambitions to take his music to audiences around the world and explains how he hopes to continue evolving as an artist.
For listeners discovering you for the first time, how would you introduce yourself and your music?
I’m Samuel Virgo. You will hear that a lot of my music comes from personal experiences and my sound sits somewhere between indie, alternative hip-hop and post-punk. I like bringing together things that might not necessarily seem like they belong together and making them feel natural.
What were some of your earliest musical influences growing up?
The first five artists that really influenced me were The 1975, Arctic Monkeys, Twenty one Pilots, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar.
Your sound blends indie, alternative, hip-hop and post-punk influences. How did you develop such a genre-fluid approach to making music?
I never really wanted to limit myself to one sound. If I hear a sound or a part of a song I like, it doesn’t matter whether it comes from an indie song or a hip hop song; I’ll take inspiration from it. I listen to a lot of different music, so it feels natural for those influences to come together when I create. I’m more interested in whether something feels right for the song than whether it fits neatly into a box.
Do you think refusing to fit into one genre gives you more creative freedom as an artist?
Definitely. I follow an idea wherever it takes me without worrying about whether it sounds too different from what I’ve done before. I don’t want to make every song fit the same formula. At the same time, I think having your own identity is important, so the challenge is making different influences feel connected rather than completely random.
You previously released music under the name Svirgo19 before returning as Samuel Virgo. What inspired that change and what does this new chapter represent for you?
It was time for a change.
How does creating music under your own name feel different from your earlier work?
Using my real name feels like a way of putting myself more directly into the music and building something that reflects where I am now. It’s not about pretending the earlier work never happened; that experience helped me learn a lot about writing, production and releasing music independently. This chapter gives me the space to develop a new creative identity and take things in a different direction.
There’s something more direct about it now. Using my own name makes the project feel closely connected to who I am and the person I’m becoming. I’m still experimenting with sounds and ideas, but I’m thinking more about the bigger picture: the music, the visuals, the live show and how everything connects.
Your music is inspired by artists like Fontaines D.C., Tyler, The Creator, The 1975, Steve Lacy, Blood Orange and Dean Blunt. What qualities from those artists resonate with you most?
I admire how distinct they all are, even though their music sounds very different. I take different things from each of them, but what connects them for me is that they have a clear creative perspective whether it’s creating an incredible sense of atmosphere and identity or building a whole world around their vision just being unpredictable and unconventional.
When writing a song about personal experiences, how do you decide what to reveal and what to keep private?
I don’t consciously decide, if it comes out of my mouth or onto the page then it’s meant to be in the song is the way I see it.
Do you prefer listeners to understand the exact meaning behind your songs, or do you enjoy leaving space for their own interpretations?
I like leaving space for people to find their own meaning. There’s usually a specific experience or feeling that inspires a song. Someone might hear a lyric and associate it with something completely different from what I had in mind, and I think that’s a good thing. The song can take on a life of its own for them.
You have built a strong reputation through live performances across the UK and Norway. What do you love most about performing live?
Being on stage is fantastic, Its just perfect sharing all these songs that you’ve spent so much time creating with people in real time. When you’re making music, a lot of the process happens on your own, so being able to take those songs into a room and see how people respond is really rewarding.
What motivates you to continue creating and pushing your sound forward?
I want to see the world, I want to play my music around the world, I want to enjoy my life to the fullest.
What advice would you give to artists who are trying to develop their own identity and sound?
I’d say don’t spend too much time worrying about whether what you’re making fits into a particular category. Listen to a lot of different music, take inspiration from things outside music and pay attention to what genuinely excites you.
What can listeners expect from the EP and this next chapter of Samuel Virgo?
Just enjoy it.
About the Author
