Insider Beat: Sammy Rae finds strength in numbers on 'Something for Everybody'

For most aspiring musicians, the ultimate goal is something along the lines of flashing cameras, their name in lights on oversized marquees and a stage all to themselves. Of course, the craft is important, but there are distractions coming from every angle that can easily derail a rising star.

But Sammy Rae's an outlier. Through the power of song, they've stayed true to their unwavering goal: building a community. Despite facing ups and downs along the way, Rae — alongside their bandmates, collectively known as Sammy Rae & The Friends — has carved out a niche driven by a steadfast focus on positivity and authenticity.

In a recent interview with The Daily Targum, the Connecticut-raised, now New York-based singer reflected on their musical journey, explaining how their inspirations and goals coalesced on their debut studio album, "Something for Everybody."

From the jump, Rae had a unique relationship with music. Growing up in a small town, making friends was difficult, so they found solace in a vision: forming their own band. But this wouldn't be a typical group — it would be an expansive, ambitious collective in the vein of Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Brothers and The E Street Band.

"I knew pretty early on that that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to lead a band. I didn't want to do this by myself," they said.

Even in the face of unlikely odds, the idea continued to take shape. Rae knew they wanted to take things to the next level, possibly by relocating to a more vibrant environment. But no one in their family had ever left their small town — generations of family members had dug their roots in the surrounding area and the old-school mentality of "We've got a good thing going. Why leave it behind?"

Despite this, Rae was determined to push forward and expand their horizons. It took a bit of adjusting and reflection from their family to realize how much this dream meant to them, and eventually, Rae went to college to study audio engineering and mixing music.

But, as Rae noted, by the time they arrived on campus, they were admittedly a little "spooked." Second thoughts almost led them into another field, childhood education, but they were resolute. They decided to drop out, become more of a performer and move elsewhere on the East Coast: Brooklyn, New York.

"(I) very quickly realized that I was on the wrong side of the booth, if you will, and that I needed to be out making music," they said. "I have to give it everything I've got."

Through attending different concerts and open mics, they kept running into the same faces, belonging to people who came from different backgrounds but were united through their love of their medium. Now, more than ever, their dream was finally within reach.

It would take some trial and error to discover who fit and who didn't before Rae assembled a group of seven musicians in complete synergy: guitarist William Leet, bassist James Quinlan, keyboardist Debbie Tjong Yan Ping, drummer Santiago Chiriboga and saxophonists Kellon Anderson and Max Zooi.

And while every member fills in a specific role — Rae, for example, serves as the main songwriter — with a group so large, The Friends take measures to ensure everyone's voice is heard.

"It's a hugely collaborative process in terms of the arrangement," Rae said. "The idea was always just, 'Don't limit ourselves.' Somebody's got a cool idea, and it's maybe unlike anything we've done before — let's just do it anyway."

This "democratic" approach, where everyone has a say in the final product, is evident in "Something for Everybody," which truly lives up to its name. The album spans a wide range of styles, from the rock-infused country track "Thieves" to the soulful self-love follow-up "Coming Home Song."

On the record, the group travels to every corner of the music world, even disco on "Cool-Doug, at Night," but it never feels like the members are stepping on each other's toes or pushing each other out of the spotlight. As each member continues to grow, the band provides a safe space for them to experiment within a stable support system.

Whether it's a daring guitar riff or a solo verse, each member has a moment to shine without ever disrupting the delicate balance of the record, an outcome of their close-knit dynamic, honed from recording their live album "The If It All Goes South Tour (Live)" and touring together.

While they go by The Friends, between learning how to share a bathroom among 12 people and maneuvering through a cramped tour bus kitchen, they operate more like a family. Of course, that brings with it the usual awkward confrontations but also an undying love and respect.

"Family doesn't get to break up, so we think very much of each other like family," they said. "More than anything, we're committed to each other, and that's really a special thing that I'm proud to say is kind of at the forefront of this project … We just take care of each other."

They dreamed about it for years, but the child version of Rae, or even their first-year college self, likely never imagined the cohesive group they would eventually build. It's a reminder that achieving your dream, especially in a competitive industry like music, doesn't happen overnight.

Regardless if you're a solo act or joined by a ragtag group of musicians, making it requires self-confidence and the support of those around you.

"You got to find your people, and you got to stay true to yourself," Rae said. "The audience can smell it if you’re not being authentic. So, I think the most sustainable and healthy way to get started is figure out who you are and give yourself permission to change over time."