Any Twilight fan worth their salt probably knows by now that the past week has seen 23-year-old London native Sam Bradley, co-writer of the track “Never Think” on the “Twilight” soundtrack, has been making the rounds performing songs from his limited edition EP (extended play).

That same “Twilight” fan would also probably know that Sam came to be a part of the soundtrack because of his friendship with Robert Pattinson, the film’s lead star no less. Friends since they were eight years old, Robert and Sam co-wrote the track.

But what that fan probably does not know is that beyond Sam’s association with today’s hottest teen franchise is a fiercely independent, self-deprecating, and artistic young man who is just trying his best to get his music out to as many people as possible, even with the added push that the “Twilight” soundtrack has given him.

“Before ‘Twilight’ I was still playing to rooms of people that knew my music and loved it, but it wasn’t on a global scale. Now it’s global but I am still working to be discovered. There are still so many who have no idea, and I need to reach them. One out of 10 people may enjoy it, and that’s a lot of people,” Sam says.

Although music is clearly in his genes – his mother is Canadian musician Lee Lindsey – Sam didn’t start out with aspirations of being a musician.

“I wanted to be a soccer player. When I was 16, I was a waiter at cafes and bars. Then I became a salesman. But when music came about as a possibility, it became very clear to me that this was what I should be doing,” he says.

And even then, it still took him a year to pick up a guitar and start working on his music. “I got my first guitar at 16 but I didn’t play it for a year. I was probably a bit afraid. I also don’t like practicing. I just wanted to be able to play it, so when I figured out I couldn’t play it, I didn’t touch it again. At 17, I taught myself two chords, which expanded into four, and now I know 12,” he says with a laugh.

Part of what pushed him into finally pursuing music was watching his own friends play in the pubs that he frequented back in England.

“I was at a pub in London watching a friend of mine, Marcus Foster, play during blues night, and it was so good I wanted to be up there and be able to sing and play guitar. That was the moment when I knew I wanted to be a part of it, that I wanted to jam with my friends and not just tap on my knees. That’s where I got the drive to really take it on,” he says.

TWILIGHT TIME

Sam began recording his own songs at 18, and gained a steady following with songs like “Is Love Enough,” “Paradise,” and “You Think You’re Free (Part of the Problem)”. He would also start attending open mic nights to perform.

However, it was in 2008 that he would break into the public consciousness with his involvement in the “Twilight” soundtrack.

“Never Think” – which Sam had recorded with the title “Too Far Gone” – was played during the movie’s dinner scene, and became part of a soundtrack that would reach the top spot on the Billboard charts. It proved to be an excellent jumping point for Sam’s plans for a formal record release.

“‘Twilight’ gave me that little step up that is so difficult for most musicians. It gave me a little bit of space,” he explains. “It allowed me to get into rooms with record executives, because it was so current. Because I’ve made all the right decisions, I can get in a room with important and influential people and hold my own.”

“‘Twilight” has also given him the opportunity to record and release his own EP, which features the single “Sea Blue”. “Sea Blue” has already received over 300,000 plays on his MySpace page.

“Because of the song, there are some financial benefits that allowed me to record and start my own business, essentially, as me as a musician. I don’t make any money, but it feeds itself,” he says. “This EP is more of a taste. There’s not really a specific genre on the EP. I’m going to be recording a full-length album next year. This EP will be a part of my history and I’ll let it sell organically
and reach as many people as I can with it.”

But even with this initial taste of mainstream success, Sam is still sticking to his independent roots, looking for a smaller label with for his first album release.

“I’ve had major labels approach me, but I’m looking for a small label to take me further. I would like to have as much creative control as possible. I would also like someone to allow me to grow and not to expect superstardom straight up,” he says. “It’s not necessarily what a major label would want, but I want to make sure that it’s done for the future and not in instant gratification. I want a lifelong career, and I think a smaller label would be a wiser choice for me.”

A look at his retinue for his Philippine mall tour certainly bears witness to his preference for a small but efficient team – his only companions are his manager, Michaela Peker, and the director for his first music video, Zack Spiger.

“I’ve done this all by myself with my team. It’s not record-label driven. It’s all independent. It’s just me and my team and we are doing really well,” he says.

A DOCU ON THE PHILIPPINES

As of this writing, his experience of the Philippines has only been limited to shopping malls (“The other day, I walked into a mall, and it kept going into another, and another one, and another one.”), but Sam is itching to experience the country without its western trappings.

“A lot of what I’ve been doing is pretty western, what I’ve been doing in America and Canada, and I want to see the Philippines. I want to get out of the hotel and see what Manila is about. I can’t wait to explore and see Cebu,” he says. “Everyone seems really happy. There’s a lot of life and there’s a lot going on, just in the small area I’ve got to explore.”

Sam, in fact, is shooting a documentary about this recent Philippine trip.

“When I announced that I was going to the Philippines, it was quite apparent that there were many people in my audience who were not aware where the Philippines is. I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity on a small scale to show people what the essence of the Philippines is through my experience,” he says.

For other young musicians looking to catch a break, Sam says that the best way to go about it is to work hard and stop expecting things to come at their own time.

“Forget patience. Grab it, grab it, grab it. Meet everyone you can, talk to everyone you can. You need to talk, talk, talk, you have to go play anywhere you can. Who knows what someone might hear, who knows who you might inspire?” he ends.

(Catch the rest of Sam Bradley’s Philippine tour at these times and dates: SM Clark, today at 5 p.m.; SM Southmall, Oct. 15, 5 p.m.; SM Cebu, Oct. 16, 5 p.m; SM Fairview, Oct. 17, 5 p.m.; SM Sta. Rosa, Oct. 18, 5 p.m.)