Samuel Gaskin has African, New Zealand and European roots. A commercial dancer and successful singer/songwriter. Sam has always been one to stand out in a crowd. Sam Chats with 3KND about “RECKONING” and what could happen if we merged indigenous language and culture from Aus & NZ with sound healing and a pop music producer. Embarking on a career as a commercial dancer at the age of 19 saw him feature in numerous video clips and awards shows such as the ARIAS, Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards and TV Week Logies. Reckoning is about reclaiming our power. Reconnecting with and rediscovering our Ancestry. Rediscovery of our indigenous blood lines. Reclamation of the parts of ourselves we’ve forgotten and been made to forget. His television and film credits include Orange, Neighbours, Angry Boys, Fit for Fashion & most recently “All together now the 100” for channel 7 as judge. He has also appeared in various commercials and worked with the likes of Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Ricki-Lee Coulter, Vanessa Amorosi and Marcia Hines.
He hosts Christine Anu’s kids’ project, Chrissy’s Island Family annually, and made his theatre debut in 2008, playing Mowgli with the Australian Shakespeare Company’s Jungle Book Tour. Since finishing the Hairspray Australian tour, Sam has been busy indeed, working with Australian icons including Tania Doko (Bachelor Girl) and Deni Hines on music collaborations. His early work “GANK” spent 4 weeks at no.1 on the Triple J Unearthed Electro Charts in 2010. “Marathon” his collaboration with Congo Tardis number one was signed to New York label Gold Whistle.
In 2016 Sam signed with Razor Recordings and released two debut singles “Good Enough” & “Love”. Sam is passionate about uplifting and inspiring the next generation of performers and facilitates Master classes & workshops for Ausdance & Chunky Move he also helped roll out the “Diversity in Theatre” program for the VCA & Melbourne University through Stage a change. He is proud to sit on the National Performers committee for MEAA as the Victorian Vice President and also works as a speaker for beyondblue sharing his journey with mental health and wellbeing.
Melbourne Fringe w w w. re c k o n i n g s o u n d s . c o m Strong to me is strength in vulnerability When I learned this lesson it set me free Strong for me, is asking for help , guidance , assistance, not letting me melt Strong for me, is finding my happy , my fun , my peace, connection with family Strong for me, embraces all parts, my Queerness , My Blackness, my love for the arts Strong for me, is showing up for myself, nature walks , time out , letting some Whitney Houston belt. Strong for me, has been a long journey I’m still travelling, still growing, but most of all learning Strong for me, was built from the dark, the sadness, the hard stuff, some childhood harm Strong for me, is learning the lessons, embrace them and trace them to where they first happened Strong for me, is blocking the GRIM. F#ck the news , F#ck the media, I’m going within Strong for me, is playing with my puppies , my children , my husband, enjoying my garden Strong for me, is LIVING MY BEST LIFE! I won’t be happy till im doing it Oprah styles Strong for me, is building my dreams , my music , my mana , my “RECKONING” By Entertainer & Activist Samuel Gaskin