Meet Television, Film & Video Game Music Composer, Orchestrator, Arranger, Actor, Performer, Educator and Panist - Dike Samai - UpClose!

Dike Samai
Dike Samai

A When Steel Talks Exclusive

In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Dike Samai speaks on his journey and achievements through passion, hard work, and determination.
When Steel Talks Exclusive Upclose icon

“....I honestly see myself not being bogged down to one area, because one of the things I really want to do as a panist and as an orchestrator…etc. is to use steelpan more in films.

And what I've seen as a Trini, and as someone who knows the instrument was invented in Trinidad and Tobago - and the history of that - when you – for me, at least – when I hear pan in films, a lot of it is mostly to ‘locate’ the scenes, so you might hear pan, say, it is supposed to be on a beach in Jamaica, or somewhere in the Caribbean.

It tends to be generic at times – and I know, from experience with the instrument, how versatile it is…And it is not just only about making it a ‘geographical statement.’ You could have emotion, you can have the exact same effect with orchestral instruments as you can with pan. And when you COMBINE the two now, it’s a totally different timbre or sound that you get when you combine the steelpan with different instruments of the orchestra. A totally different sound that makes the entire SCORE sound different...” -- Dike Samai


  Watch Interview

Dike Samai in Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, New York
Dike Samai in Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, New York

Earlier this year (2022) When Steel Talks (WST) caught up with the recent New York University graduate Dike Samai in New York for an exclusive interview. Fulbright scholar Dike at that time had just obtained his Master’s Degree in Screen Scoring.

When Steel Talks has been following the career of Dike for a number of years now. His positivity, forward thinking and energy are infectious, in addition to his undeniable talents and accomplishments that make him an automatic triple-threat plus. This multi-talented film, television & video game music composer, orchestrator, arranger, actor, performer, educator and panist from Trinidad and Tobago, is destined to reset the bar and introduce new artistic standards for pan and film.

Dike Samai with friend and fellow graduate Kyle Mudie at Washington Square Park, New York
Dike Samai with friend and fellow graduate Kyle Mudie at Washington Square Park, New York


 

Leave your comment in the WST forum

 


 
When Steel Talks shirts
now available!
Order yours now!
When Steel Talks -- T Shirt