It seems like just yesterday Sam Sparro first burst onto the scene with his dance sensation Black And Gold but in the past year, Sam has successfully released a debut album, gained two Aria nominations and a Grammy Award nomination and has spent the much of the year performing at festivals around the world.

Currently in Australia for Good Vibrations and the upcoming Mardi Gras Harbour Party, Sam caught up with Same Same, telling us the contrasting weather extremes between Sydney and Melbourne made for interesting shows at Good Vibes recently.

“It was really windy actually. Which was kind of fun. It made everything blow around on stage which was interesting”, but despite that he said he was thrilled with the energy of the crowds in Sydney and Melbourne, ”[I got a] really good reaction from everyone.”

At the age of ten, Sam moved to LA with his soul-singer father and he has since spent much of his time living between LA and London. But with a strong Aussie accent, Sam said Australia still feels like home.

“Australia is just my favourite place but it’s hard for me to work here and really achieve a lot because when I’m here I just get so wrapped into relaxing. There’s not enough struggle for me here so I’m not motivated enough,” he says, before adding that LA was the perfect balance between London and Sydney.

“London’s just so harsh and intense and people are really aggressive. It’s just such a pain in the arse,” laughs Sam. “I like living in LA because it’s a cross between London and Sydney. It’s got a bit of grit and a bit of struggle but it’s still sunny and people are quite positive and friendly.”

Taking part in Mardi Gras for the first time this year with his upcoming performance at the Harbour Party, Sam explained why he thinks people get hung up on the label of ‘gay artist’.

“That’s a label that other people have decided to give me and there’s nothing I can do about that”, he says, “I’m always going to be honest about who I am but sexuality is not even that black and white, it’s very complicated and everybody is completely unique.”

But in a steady relationship with his stylist for over two years, Sam said he’s showing just how normal being gay is.

“I think it’s important for people to realise how mundane homosexuality actually is,” Sam laughs “I just want to show that it’s very normal and a lot of people are dishonest about their sexuality, especially in entertainment. And you know maybe in 20 years time I’ll be known as just an artist.”

With his hectic touring schedule keeping him busy, Sam said it’s too early to reveal too much about the next album.

“I haven’t started it yet!”, Sam laughs, adding that he’s recently stepped away from pop music and has been getting inspiration from a wide variety of genres. “I’ve been listening to a lot of punk records and a lot of instrumental disco stuff from the 80s. I got really really sick of pop music.”

Whether or not these influences will pop up in his new album is not clear yet. “I don’t really want to make a pop record at the moment. But that might change as I get more into it. It’ll still be very dancey I think.

“I’m going into the studio with Julian from The Presets tomorrow to start doing some stuff together,” Sam reveals. He’s also keen to work with Beth Ditto from The Gossip. “I just think she’s amazing and has an amazing voice. She’s really fierce.”

We’ll be in for something new at his live shows too, with Sam saying he plans to bring more traditional instruments such as guitars and drums to his show, while still staying true to his dance origins.

“There’s going to be a lot more live instruments. And synthesizers of course because I love synthesizers, they make me happy,” he laughs.

As well known for his fashion sense as he is for his music, Sam said he might soon be addicted to getting inked, after recently getting his first tattoo.

“I really like the adrenaline rush of getting a tattoo, and I find them really sexy,” Sam says, shyly admitting he got two words inscribed on the inside of his wrist.

“It sounds a bit dorky but it says ‘be you’.”

With Sam’s continued success and a punk disco album on the way, they are clearly strong words to live by.

Sam Sparro performs at Mardi Gras Harbour 09 on Sunday, 1 March, 3pm – 11pm at Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney. Click here to buy tickets.