Local students Sam Wood and Olivia Hughes have been making the most of their unexpected stay-at-home college experience this year. After graduating from Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts in an online ceremony in 2020, Sam found that his freshman year at UNT would also be mostly online.  Meanwhile, Olivia found herself coming back to Texas last March from her freshman year at the University of Southern California, without being able to attend classes in person until later this fall. As friends, and as a singing duo known around the metroplex as “Sam & Olivia”,  they were used to teaming up. Now they have teamed up on a new project.  

While Sam is pursuing a degree in music at UNT, Olivia is studying to be a visual artist with an emphasis on stop motion animation, which led them to a new way to collaborate.  After Sam wrote, performed, and recorded his newly released single, "The Astronaut", he asked Olivia to create a music video using some of her animation skills. The result is a video that combines live action and stop motion animation with Sam’s vocal and instrumental sensibility, creating an experience that reflects both of their passions.

They would love for their work to be seen and heard by local folks, especially as the times have prevented them from getting out and sharing their talents in person. Check out their video, Sam’s music, and Olivia’s art. Leave them comments if you like. Young artists like Sam and Olivia can go far with the support of a community like Denton. Maybe even to the moon and back.

Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to Sam’s YouTube channel below.

Instagram: @samwoodmusic | @olivia.hughes.illustration

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SamWoodMusician    www.facebook.com/oliviaandsam

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCdALhfF75P_rn-Mh4XziRuA