Infocus: with Logic 1000 - Samantha Poulter
“Since having Genie I have found inspiration to create, but I don’t think the music I’m making has changed in any way. Since becoming a mother, I do feel like my self-confidence has grown - I notice this when I play shows. I feel so much more capable. I can do hard things. ”
Samathana Poulter, aka Logic 1000, is no ordinary mum. One would say she’s the coolest mum around. Sydney-born, Berlin-based DJ and producer makes electronic dance music as a living, playing 5am sets at peaking nightclubs. A postpartum experience worlds apart from most others, Samantha jet set to America with her daughter Genie and Tom (Genie’s dad) music producer Big Ever only three months postpartum. Since then, she has banked seminal club residences and travelled to play Coachella, Glastonbury, ADE and recently Laneway here in Australia. Her delirious dance productions have been championed by heavyweights Four Tet, Caribou, Ben UFO, DJ Python and Floating Points.
When you are a female artist, a woman of colour and a new mother, making dreams happen is so much harder. I spoke to Samantha about mental health, professional sacrifice, the push and pull behind touring. This interview was a dream and pleasure, it’s inspiring to chat with a devoted mother that defines motherhood on her own terms- hands up for working mothers.
Image by Will Zhang
Firstly , tell us three words that describe your birth.
Satisfying, steadying, empowering.
Genie's birth song that she entered the world with?
Funnily enough, I didn’t want any music playing during my long labour and birth! I did have a playlist ready to go but didn’t feel the urge to listen to it. I wanted a calm and quiet space to focus on the task of birthing my girl. Now that she’s in the world, we listen to and dance around to music all the time.
Tell us what the logistics of touring with a baby are. How do you make it work? Are there lots of people supporting you behind the scenes?
It’s not easy, but we make it work. When Genie was only 3 months old, we went to America on tour. We were so lucky to have Tom’s parents (our daughter’s father ) meet us there and help out with babysitting. We have also had an entourage of nannies and my mum has been a huge support. She came over for a month-long stay in Berlin and really bonded with Genie while Tom and I worked. She also stepped up during our Australian tour, when I was recently here for Laneway Festival.
Behind the scenes, many amazing people have been working their arses off to ensure our needs are met. My managers are the ones who orchestrate it all. How that looks is I advise my agents of the requirements (I have multiple agents depending on which city I play in ), and then this information gets relayed to the promoters that book my shows. Small things count, like having baby-safe water on my rider or making sure a car seat fits in the van when I get picked up from the airport. Every single need has been met and it’s truly shocking in a really positive way.
You have always been so brave and transparent about mental health. In fact, after Coachella you cancelled your USA tour, a decision I am sure was not taken lightly. Can you explain the response of your fans and your touring agents?
Yes, that was a huge decision and looking back, I understand why I had to do it. I was freshly postpartum and on touring with a baby only 3 months old, kind of ridiculous upon reflection. My daughter was seriously incredible during this trip but I wasn’t ready. My head was all over the place. My fans and agent were so understanding, I am still amazed at how supported I was in making this decision.
Image by Will Zhang
Do you feel like creativity and matrescence are inextricably linked? Have you seen your music style change and progress since the birth of your daughter?
I’m actually unsure about the answer to this! I do feel like since having Genie I have found inspiration to create, but I don’t think the music I’m making has changed in any way. Since becoming a mother I do feel like my self-confidence has grown - I notice this when I play shows. I feel so much more capable, I can do hard things.
Three songs you’d put on a baby’s nighttime playlist.
Dean blunt - as long as ropes unravel fake rolex will travel
Aphex twin - #3
Yves tumor - limerence
Tell us a little bit about the amazing maternity care system in Berlin and the parental leave policy, it’s so much more progressive than in Australia.
We pay for healthcare, but the system really works. Tom received 12 months of paternity leave, and I received it until I went back to playing shows. Every freelancer gets 80% of their income (which is capped, but still), for up to 14 months I think? And this goes for both parents. It makes being creative valued.
In terms of birth we were granted a single midwife throughout pregnancy and postpartum. She would come to our home every other day for two weeks after the birth and then from here her visits would taper down. I also had a gynaecologist overseeing the whole pregnancy. I gave birth to my daughter in a hospital with a private room for 3 days after birth and 24-hour access to doctors and midwives. Honestly, it was an incredible and empowering experience and I feel so privileged to have had access to this.
You care and tend to Genie every day. What rituals make you feel full?
I co-sleep with genie so I adore our bedtime ritual. I find the time when I’m falling asleep next to her comforting, relaxing and deeply connecting. I love waking up next to her too. I know one day she will need her own bed so I’m just cherishing this time I have with her.
Follow Samantha’s journey here: