When I think of Footpath, two words come to my mind: groove and journey. More specifically, I like to think that Footpath is the story of a journey that Samuels’s music takes, with the groove acting as a map to guide the music along a trail in the opening sections. That trail starts to form some forks and speed bumps during the middle sections, and constant movement among the four mallets gives me the impression that the music’s journey gradually becomes less groovy and more arduous. The closing sections are a mad dash to the destination, as if there’s impending danger that prevents the music from turning back. As a sort of motivational spark, some of the groove returns during the last sections after taking some time to rest.

Outside of my imagination and into reality, Footpath illustrates my childhood adventures in the outdoors. Whether those adventures involved hiking with my family, strolling in my local parks, or taking a vacation to a spacious resort, this piece represents my explorative side, and I’m eager to see the kinds of journeys that await me in the future!