Artist Spotlight: Sam Weiss
AACTA nominated composer and DJ saxophonist Sam Weiss talks about finding the flow and inspiration for his music and not shying away from his Judaism.
Doron Chester
Sam Weiss (Image: provided)
Published: 19 February 2026
Last updated: 23 February 2026
What is your artistic practice?
I am film composer for screen and theatre, and I am a DJ saxophonist performing in Sydney and all around the world.
How long have you been working in this space?
My first professional credit was when I was 20, a feature film called Indigo Lake. During my degree, (B. Mus/B.Com degree at UNSW), I worked professionally as a film composer and did a few more films and TV projects for ABC and SBS. I then continued my studies, attending the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and completing a Masters in Screen (Music), and have been a full-blown professional freelance composer since graduating in 2021.
The sax and DJ thing was always a bit of a side hustle through university, and it’s definitely become more than that. It’s part of my career now, doing all sorts of events around the world. It’s grown organically from a side hustle to a main hustle.
My Mum and Grandma were my biggest musical influences, and of course my teachers, but I come from a musical family. We grew up singing in perfect harmony at the Shabbat table. I started playing piano at age 3, and I think I peaked at age 7. I picked up the saxophone at age 8, and that took my focus away from piano. But I use the piano every day to write and compose for film projects.
(Image: provided)
Was there a specific moment that inspired you to pursue film composition?
I was always captivated by music and how it can tell a story. As a kid I was absolutely obsessed with the Lion King and that film and its music really inspired me. There’s a video of me, as a two-year-old, singing and acting out the whole film, including all the instrumental bits. It was clear that I inspired by music and film.
I never really considered it a path until my HSC. I had picked composition for one of my Music One electives and hadn’t started compositing and was due in four days. I just remember sitting down and going into this zone, and four hours later, I emerged and there was a fully fledged orchestral piece in front of me. I don’t know where it came from, I just got into this flow state and clearly it was something that clicked, and something that I should consider pursuing.
What are you working on right now?
I do have some exciting commissions in the pipeline, but now I’ve got a choral commission with Luminescence Chamber Singers, where I’m working alongside 8 other great composers from across Australia and the USA. We’re working on a concept called Luminescence and The Machine, and our works are going to premiere at Canberra International Music Festival and be recorded later this year.
I’m also going down to Tasmania to record a collaborative neo-classical album at Frying Pan Studios at MONA, which will be unbelievable. I’m working alongside three other great composers and bringing in some awesome session players from Tasmania. The music is going to be aesthetically beautiful and it will be inspiring to be down at MONA.
I’m also releasing my own album this year. I wrote it a long time ago, and I’m looking at the best way to release it, which means getting more listeners than my mother and grandmother. A record label would be nice, but it’s not easy. The album will be a mixture of jazz, neo-classical house, and synth driven ambience with a cinematic twist. That’s how I’d describe it. Oh, and I’m getting married, so that’s a big thing I’m working on this year.
(Image: provided)
What is your favourite Jewish food and why?
My cousin's challah. Every time we take off the challah cloth we all go ‘wow’! It looks good, it tastes good. She’s got one sweet, and one savoury and it’s beautiful every week.
Specifically, as a Jewish artist, what has brought you joy in the past year?
I wrote music for two films that premiered at JIFF, and I got to be there for the premiere. Seeing a thriving Jewish film scene and a display of Jewish resilience within the arts has brought me joy this year.
What keeps you motivated as a Jewish artist?
Our historical contribution, as Jews, across all art forms, and being the latest in the line of Jewish artists that needs to preserve that legacy and contribute to the present and future through the arts.
Fellow artists, who aren’t shy of their Judaism, like Anita Lester and Deborah Conway are incredibly inspiring. Also, seeing Jewish artists such as Ben Adler, Sarit Michael and Ben Goldstein reclaim the Opera House steps for acceptance, tolerance and multiculturalism is so powerful.
What piece of advice would you offer other Jewish artists navigating the creative industry right now?
Your artistic practice will be fulfilled when being true to yourself, your people and your values. Always be defiant and invite genuine conversations with yourself and to others.
Take us through a typical day for you
I wake up, write three pages, following The Artist’s Way, walk down to Bondi Beach, go to the gym, have a swim, and drive to my studio at Church Street Studios and work on music. My weekends usually consist of a trip to Bondi Markets and then jumping on a super yacht, going to a local event, or even jumping on a plane and performing a saxophone and DJ gig. That’s becoming more typical, it’s more exceptional! Composing is a very solitary profession, so having a vibrant social life is very important. Spending time with family, friends and fiancé Dana is close to my heart.
What are three things you cannot live without?
The beach, or nature in general. Sushi. Friends and family. My fiancé, Dana. Have to put her in there, she can be the bonus.
Eatery: Lox Stock and Barrel - Jewish owned Café in Bondi
Watching / Listening: I’m trying to watch and listen to the current Oscar nominated best pictures and soundtracks.
Reading: I’m reading the Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, which is a book designed to teach creative techniques and exercises to people who want to gain self-confidence in harnessing their creative talents. I also love reading a lot of news articles.
Jewish Recommendations: As cliché as this is, I would recommend watching Fiddler on the Roof and The Prince of Egypt. Both of those films are near perfect at thematically and musically representing the Jewish people.
About the author
Doron Chester is a multidisciplinary performer, and strives to promote and elevate Jewish culture and the voices of Jewish artists.
