Interview with Sammy Keyes-Levine
Audio Engineer and Technician and Creator of Samufacturing
Meet Sammy Keyes-Levine, daughter of two very successful audio engineers. Her Dad (Dave Rat) is the founder of RAT Sound Systems and SoundTools as well as his live sound background working for many bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine and more. Her Mom (Karrie Keyes) is the director of SoundGirls and has been the Monitor Engineer for Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder for over 25 years and has received a Parnelli Audio Innovator Award. She has also worked with other huge acts including Fugazi, Neil Young, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers as well!
During the pandemic, Sammy has been helping us at SoundTools by terminating a lot of our cables. Recently, she started making videos of her terminating cable and has been featured as “Samufacturing” on Instagram and several YouTube videos.
We thought it would be cool to interview her and hear about what it was like growing up on the road touring with her parents, what shows she has worked on and how the pandemic has affected her.
What was it like growing up with two successful sound engineer parents? Has it influenced you to do sound?
I mean, it was unique to say the least. Both of my parents are obviously a bit legendary within the sound world. They're both just really incredible. Neither my sister or I were particularly interested in sound growing up, which I think is funny.
I mean when we were little Mom took us on a tour in Australia with Pearl Jam and like these big people that everyone was just like all crazy about, we're just like oh hey guys, how's it going? But we obviously didn’t get it, it's just funny to look back on. I remember one time Bono sassed us because he heard us calling him short or saying his glasses or shoes were funny or something like that. But it was all in good spirits. And when we were with dad with the Chili Peppers we’d be sleeping in rat speaker cases during the shows, you know the ones with the nice foam? So, me and Maddie would sleep inside them, with them turned on the side just like with the rock show pounding in the background. But I mean, it just felt normal but there are some cool stories.
What are some of the shows you’ve done?
Quite honestly, pretty much only shows I've done are the Warped Tour and Coachella. I did a bunch of stuff at my college for Theatre but it was pretty much just those shows because I was in school full-time and I only had the summers really available.
You recently graduated for linguistics and English are you planning on doing sound still?
I mean for the time being, yes, but actually I'm getting ready to submit an application to a master's program in the spring. So, my plan is to go back to school and get my speech pathology degree which is still kind of in sound world. It's helping kids communicate and all that fun stuff and just making sounds. But also, you know I am always around and probably going be involved on some level.
What encouraged you to start Samufacturing?
I think it just started as a joking pun. I was working on stuff and made a post on Instagram saying “Hello, this is Samufacturing, how can I help you” surrounded by a ton of cables or something like that and it just turned into a fun joke. But I think it’s cool because I can give people insight into how this stuff is built and it’s a fun project.
How has the pandemic impacted you?
Big surprise, the answer is a lot. I wouldn't have moved back home if it wasn't for it. But at the same time I didn't really know what I was doing in Berkeley. I was out of school for the first time in my life. I didn't really know what I was doing and I don't think I was ready to go back to school or anything so it forced me to move home which was a big change. But I also think that that was probably the best decision for me to make and I was able to hang out with my family more and pick up some stuff with Rat and do some stuff with SoundTools and all of that fun stuff and it's been alright, I know I have been lucky.
What kind of hobbies have kept you busy during the pandemic?
Oh man, actually a lot. I mean Samufacturing is kind of one of those hobbies. Doing sound stuff with Dad too. Also, we got chickens at my mom's house! That's been really fun. I've gotten a ton better at roller skating. I can do a little jump now or a bunch of little jumps. I've also been helping Mom work on her house, and with home repairs and learning new stuff. My new business Handy-Man-Sam.
What's the best tip you've received or best tip you would give another Sound Human?
Don’t feel bad if somebody is not helping you learn how to do something new. You're not dumb. It's them that's the asshole. The best sound people will help other sound people on their way. It's really easy to feel like it's your fault for not knowing enough, but it's also your job when you're more experienced to help other people understand and learn as well.
Also, keep your cables clean.
Check out one of the Samufacturing videos!
