UP musician: it all started 'with Christie Pub'

By Enid Spitz Asst. Copy Editor spitz13@up.edu

Business major by day, rock star by night.

That's not the plot of a new graphic novel; it's the life of UP senior and Portland-based musician Sam Wegman, who will play an all-ages show at the Alberta Rose Theater on Sept. 29.

Wegman began composing music years ago, preferring to create his own songs rather than play covers.

"I was no good at playing other people's songs," Wegman said, "so I just started making the music I would want to play."

Wegman started playing the guitar at 14, he said. His first music lesson was at age 17, and by his freshman year at UP, Wegman had recorded and released the album "These Songs Were Made for Jars" on iTunes. He has also taken private music lessons with UP professor Jeff Ashton.

Inspired by artists like Kurt Cobain, Elliot Smith and The Beatles, Wegman has been expanding his own musical career in recent years.

"From junior year through today, I've probably played one to two shows every two weeks," he said.

Wegman said he loves to play in the St. John's neighborhood, where the community is so supportive. He's also played at venues like Slim's Cocktail Bar and The Canvas Art Bar and Bistro downtown.

So how does one go from messing around on a guitar with friends to playing shows with two-time Portland Songwriter of the year, Tyler Stenson? From performing in a high school talent show to debuting a new CD at the Alberta Rose Theater?

"It started with Christie Pub," Wegman said, "and then I thought, like maybe I should play in real pubs."

Wegman said it's hard work to be a D.I.Y. artist, promoting himself, networking and balancing school on top of it all.

"I didn't know it was going to be my focus when I got in [to UP], and I just found that I love it," Wegman said.

Now he tries to find inspiration in his classes, he said, creating a link between his academics and artistic pursuits.

For Wegman, music and performing are vital parts of life.

"Sometimes I feel more comfortable up there than I do just walking around campus," he said of being up on stage.

While he said there have been some difficult gigs, or times when he didn't feel like his performance measured up, Wegman mostly finds joy and comfort in playing music.

"I have a love affair with my guitars," he said. "Sometimes when I can't talk to friends or family, the instrument's there to listen. It's a tool for me to reflect on things."

In writing songs he tries to find a balance between popularity and sincerity. Wegman says he always wants to appeal to a large audience, but the most important thing is for his music to be true to himself.

Most of Wegman's inspiration comes from his own life.

"The songs start from some tension in my life, not necessarily good or bad," he said.

At the show on the 25th, Wegman is debuting his new single and a album, "Songs for the Lighthearted," the first physical recording he's made since his sophomore year.

One of the recordings was made at the Robert Lang recording studio in Seattle, where such famous musicians as Kurt Cobain, Damien Marley and Death Cab For Cutie have recorded.

"That was a surreal experience," Wegman said.

He is looking forward to today's performance, hosted in the Alberta Rose Theatre. The theatre was originally a cinema in the 1920s.

The event coincides with Last Thursday, a street fair held monthly on NE Alberta Street, where performers and local artists line the streets, food stands abound and visitors can encounter everything from flame-throwing circus acts to lemonade stands and kilts for sale.

Wegman said he likes Portland's music scene and hopes to continue making music in the northwest.

After graduation his aspirat-ions include a West Coast tour and eventually a tour in Europe. Wegman admits it looks like a lot of work ahead of him, but he's ready for the challenge.

"It's worth it if it's what you love to do," he said.