DR. MARTENS CAPTURES PUNK COMMUNITY’S HEART WITH SAMIA IN NYC MINI-DOC

Dr. Martens has solidified itself as a versatile and beloved brand in the punk-rock community. As a result, the lifestyle staple is taking its undeniable influence and spotlighting evolving artists across the U.S. in mini-documentaries as part of their Dr. Martens Music & Film Series.

The shoe company is teaming up with AltPress to share the first in the series from the streets of New York City with alt singer-songwriter Samia and her band of the same name. 

Directed by filmmaker Vincent Martell, Dr. Martens captures Samia and her band in their natural habitat, preparing to take to and then tear apart the stage at Our Wicked Lady in Brooklyn. Martell follows Samia as she opens up about the communal aspect of the New York music scene and the pushback she’s endured to get to where she is now.

“I think my purpose as a storyteller is to tell the one unique perspective that I have because that’s all I have,” Samia says. “Often in the music industry, the artist is regulated to a position of asking for permission and being told what’s objectively good and hip without being given any sonic references. So I think that is all to say that I am struggling now in trying to intentionally believe in myself and trust my instincts.”

Trusting her instincts expands past her music and to who she chooses to surround herself with while pursuing her dream.

“I was making music with people who didn’t support me and believe in me for a long time and who were condescending and made me feel bad about the work that I was creating,” she says. “I thought that I was just gonna have to rely on myself in this process for emotional support and to believe in what I make. Then, I met [my current band], and they have only showered me in love and positive affirmations and constructive criticism and things that help move the project along.”

That community extends beyond Samia’s practice space as she explains she’s made an effort to branch out to continue growing.

“There are so many powerful, solid communities that already exist, and people are so willing to let you penetrate their bubble,” she says. “I feel like there’s a shared mindset in New York of wanting to learn from your peers and a willingness to let people in in order to let them do that—infiltrate your circle. I think everyone understands how beneficial that is.

“That’s really what I’ve done. I went to shows, and I stayed after. I’ve said, ‘I’m in love with you, and I need you to let me into this somehow. I need to be a part of this, and I’ll do whatever I need to do.’ Through the process of working together and trying to have somewhat of a symbiotic relationship with these people, it just strengthens that bond. It always feels especially powerful to be able to curate shows with the people who inspired me, and New York is the best place to do that. It’s so accessible.”