Samantha Michelle No Distance Just Feeling

By Kyra Greene

There’s a moment just before the drop—before the body commits, before emotion overtakes reason—where everything is exposed. With “Fall Deep,” Samantha Michelle steps directly into that suspended space, trading distance for disclosure. Known for crafting immersive nights behind the decks, Michelle now places her own voice and inner life at the center of the experience. The track unfolds like a quiet confession dressed in soft light and drifting sonics, where vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s the invitation. Fall Deep isn’t about losing control; it’s about choosing the fall, trusting the landing, and discovering who you become in the process.

“Fall Deep” feels like both a confession and a call to bravery When you were writing this track, what were you falling deep into—a person, a moment, a version of yourself—and how did that emotional state shape the sonics?

All of the above. Sparked by an unexpected moment with a person, and in its wake, an opportunity to grow into a new version of self – one that’s a bit braver, and strong enough to be vulnerable. That free fall inspired the lyrics, and the dreamy, tender, soft quality to the sonic design.  

This is one of your first releases where you step forward as both lyricist and vocalist What did it take, mentally and emotionally, to move from being behind the decks to putting your actual voice at the center of the record?

Soon as I sat down in the studio, I got hit with the clarity that that’s what I had to do with this record, and when my instincts speak strong like that, I know I have to follow. Course, there are always nerves when it comes to doing something new, but inching over the edge of comfort can be magical, and that’s what this song is all about.

You were born in Toronto and have lived between New York, London, and other cultural hubs How have these cities individually imprinted on your sound, and is there a place you feel “heard” the most as an artist?

My sound harmonizes diverse cultural influences that have captivated me. More than just the cities I have called home, the places I visit and play always serve to spark my imagination. There is a far east feel to Fall Deep inspired by the time I spent in the Middle East last year, harmonized with a more western, popular sensibility, a tell-all, confessional quality.

You’ve built a reputation as a DJ who crafts experiences, not just sets When you’re building a night—start to finish—what’s your internal blueprint? Are you thinking in scenes, acts, or emotional arcs?

I take my cues from the dance floor. I’m a bit kamikaze, I don’t like to over plan. My choices are made in the moment. I don’t decide where I’m going to start until I get there, and then it’s just about locking into the flow. I’m not really thinking much at all, it’s more about the feeling, and allowing myself to be guided by instinct, intuition, and connection to the crowd.

Electronic music is often described as ‘escapism,’ but your work feels more like an invitation to confront something real What do you hope people are actually facing—or finally allowing themselves to feel—when they’re moving to your music at 2 a.m.?

 I hope people feel pulled to the deeper parts of themselves. Lost in sound and light and collective energy, there’s a chance to get to connect with their inner truths, to tune in and hear messages from the heart.

You also come from a cinematic and storytelling background How does your filmmaker’s brain influence the way you produce, structure, and even release a track like “Fall Deep”? Do you see visuals first or hear sound first?

Sound and visuals and storytelling all develop in harmony in my imagination. A song starts with a story, what the essence feels and sounds like, the tone of the experience. And then the visuals come to life as I imagine the places and stages where I wanna play it out.

The dance floor can be both a sanctuary and a spotlight Have there been moments as a performer where you felt completely exposed on stage—in a good or terrifying way—and how did that shift your relationship to your audience?

I think playing your own music, especially with your own voice, can feel pretty exposing, it feels personal because it is. But it’s like anything in life, the greater the risk, the greater the reward.

We’re in an era where technology, algorithms, and AI are shaping how we discover and experience music As a human curator and creator, how do you navigate that tension between the deeply personal act of making art and the very digital, data-driven way it’s consumed?

It’s a tricky one. The imprint and supposed value of our art being so immediately quantifiable is way out of line with the soul revealing work of making art. But I think you just have to see it as an extension of the ‘business,’ and that tension between the heart of creativity and the cruel marketplace in which it’s exploited is something there’s no way around navigating.

Your sets often bridge eras and genres—there’s a sense of nostalgia wrapped in something very now What are some unconventional influences—films, paintings, books, random sounds—that quietly live inside “Fall Deep” or your broader sonic universe?

F Scott Fitzgerald’s love stories. The sounds of mandolins and exotic Eastern string instruments. Ingres’ painting, ‘La Grande Odalisque.’

Behind every artist is a ritual, a chaos, or both What does the reality of your creative process actually look like? Are you the type who obsessively refines every detail, or do you chase the first raw take and protect it?

 I’m both. Big on instinct, first thought = best thought. But I can fiddle with something to make sure it feels right before leaning into its direction. I start with the broad strokes of an idea, force myself to buckle down and build the structure, then the details for me are always the fun part.

As a woman carving space in nightlife, electronic music, and film, you’ve likely had to self-advocate in rooms that weren’t built for you What’s a moment where you had to choose yourself—your vision, your boundaries—over what the industry expected?

These are all industries run and dominated by men, so moving through as a strong woman is tricky business. In some ways being a wide-eyed young girl once was easier. But I’m really loving using the word ‘No.’ Full stop. No explanation necessary.


If “Fall Deep” is the opening chapter of your next era, what does the rest of this story look like What can listeners expect from the world you’re building next—sonically, visually, and experientially?

More original music, with more lyrics and more singing. Songs that capture slices of my life and contain the feeling I want people to connect with on dance floors. Lots more from and for the heart.

As “Fall Deep” opens the door to Samantha Michelle’s next chapter, it signals more than a sonic shift—it reveals a philosophy. One rooted in instinct over algorithms, feeling over perfection, and heart over expectation. Whether pulling inspiration from far-flung cities, classic love stories, or the unspoken language of the dance floor, Michelle continues to build a world where sound, story, and emotion move as one. What comes next promises more vocals, more truth, and more risk—but always with intention. If Fall Deep is the beginning, the story ahead is one written boldly, tenderly, and without apology.