British artist Sam Palladio opens up about grief, growth and creative reinvention—from touring with Nashville castmates to writing new music and exploring darker roles in British television.
More than a decade after the original series ended, the spirit of ‘Nashville‘ still echoes through sold-out theatres and late-night harmonies. For Sam Palladio, being back on the road with Clare Bowen, Charles Esten and Jonathan Jackson as part of ‘The Encore Tour‘ is nothing short of magic. “It’s a real privilege that we still get to perform and make music together after all these years”, he reflects. “For some audiences, the songs are time capsules to certain periods of their lives – and that goes for us castmates too.”
His time as Gunnar on the series continues to resonate, both on stage and in his own sound. “The character was such a gift for me to play, but he was very close to me in many ways. He just had a very different accent, ha ha”, he says, laughing. Over six seasons, the lines between character and creator blurred, as Sam started writing and releasing music alongside his fictional counterpart. “The show almost gave me a roadmap of what to do and not to do in the music business.”
That journey led to the release of his debut solo album in 2023, a deeply personal tribute to his late mother, Sally. “It was a collection of songs that felt like I’d finally discovered what I had to say and what I wanted to sing about”, he shares. “I didn’t want to make a sad or depressing record – I wanted to dance through the sadness.” Now, with a new creative phase unfolding, Sam hints at what’s next. “There will definitely be new music before the end of the year. I’ve been doing a lot of writing recently – collaborating with new friends, stepping into a new chapter. I’ll never stop writing songs about my mum, but I’m also excited to explore new stories.”
Stylistically, his sonic world continues to evolve. Rooted in Americana and folk-pop, his upcoming songs lean into something brighter and more expansive. “I love a good story song, but I’m also leaning into the pop world more. There’s some Phil Collins ’80s energy in there, and maybe a little Biffy Clyro if I can sneak it in”, he says with a grin.
“These days, it’s not enough to write great songs — you also have to be a great influencer.”
Sam Palladio
Balancing dual careers as actor and musician has its own rhythm. “Music has always been a way to express myself in a way that acting doesn’t allow. With songwriting, I’m my own boss”, he explains. “In film, you’re often waiting for someone else to call the shots. But I’d love to bring my music skills to the big screen. When those big biopics come calling, I’ll be ready.”
His latest return to acting came with ‘The Couple Next Door’, a psychological thriller set in the UK. After years abroad, the timing felt right. “There was a compass pointing me home”, he says. “And using my own accent made the work feel more grounded.” The series marked a shift in tone for Sam, stepping into more sinister terrain. “It was my first foray into playing a bad guy, and I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to moving into my grizzly evil phase – away from the clean-cut cowboys.”
Still, the studio remains his most natural habitat. “I feel most at home making music and performing live”, he says. “People singing my words back to me… that’s magic.” The pandemic years crystallised that identity, giving him the time and space to fully inhabit the role of producer, songwriter and performer. “Now, when I walk into a studio, I feel very confident in my work. That self-assurance wasn’t always there.”
Authenticity remains his compass. His songwriting is, by nature, autobiographical. “It has to mean something to me – even if I stretch the truth here or there, it needs to be rooted in something real”, he says. “When I write for others, I can step into imagined worlds. But when I make my own music, I’m just enjoying being myself.”
As his music reaches more ears, does he feel pressure or freedom? “There’s definitely pressure when starting a music career later in life – especially now that it feels like you also have to be an amazing influencer”, he says, candidly. “But success isn’t always immediate. Just because a song doesn’t blow up overnight doesn’t mean it failed – maybe the algorithm just didn’t favour you that day.” For him, success is measured in connection. “The messages I’ve received from people who’ve lost loved ones and found comfort in my music – that means the world.”
And there are still collaborations to dream about. “I’d love to duet with Kacey Musgraves or Maren Morris. I was lucky enough to sing with my hero Simon Neil on my first album, so maybe I’ve peaked already, ha ha!” he jokes. “And visually? I’m a massive nerd. If I can find a way into a sci-fi or fantasy world, my inner child would be very happy.”
Whether through fictional roles or real-life lyrics, Sam Palladio continues to write from the heart – grounded, unfiltered, and always ready for the next encore.
Crédits:
Ph by @thirgood_
Creative direction @hernanripiert
Styling @charisdanielle_
Grooming @takenbytalitha
