Story & Lesson Highlights with Samantha Colleran of Queens

Samantha Colleran shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
At the time of this interview, I am just under one month into recovering from back surgery! For the past two and a half years I’ve been struggling with back pain that I was able to tolerate for some time, but eventually the pain began to impact my day to day routine and after a long discussion with my doctor and weighing the pros and cons, I decided it would be best for me to get the surgery.

I now have an artificial disc in my back, and although I’m only just approaching the one month mark, this is least amount of pain I have felt in a very long time. I’m still limited in some movements and not yet back to a typical day to day routine, but each day has brought some small yet rewarding progress and I’m super proud of where I’m at in recovery. I’ve been taking this time to really focus on myself and my health, something I had put on the back burner for quite some time. Going on walks, listening to a lot of music, watching some very corny television, and simply taking each day as it comes. I’m eager to get back to concerts and put my all into VIBING ON VINYL with a fresh perspective (and a new back)!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Samantha Colleran, I am the founder of VIBING ON VINYL, which I run independently. It started simply as an outlet for me to talk about my favorite music and artists, but it’s evolved over the years. It began after writing a series of papers for a college course my second semester of freshman year, I spent a lot of time writing about and listening to Maggie Rogers’ debut album ‘Heard It In A Past Life’. Writing was always a struggle for me throughout my entire school career, yet writing about something I was so passionate about barely felt like work. When COVID hit, I wanted a project to put my focus on, and VIBING ON VINYL was born. I wrote some starter posts so I’d have some content to work with, and it grew from there. I’m partnered with Universal Music Group’s º1824 sub label which has granted me opportunities to attend UMG artist press conferences and concerts. I’ve had smaller artists reach out to me for interviews and coverage of their music, I’ve found an interest in concert photography and have taught myself the basics of editing on Adobe Lightroom.

I’ve had a passion for all things music for as long as I can remember. My parents often tell me stories of certain songs evoking such a strong reaction from me when I was about two or three, long before I had the vocabulary to say why I was so emotional. Like many young people breaking into the business side of the music industry, I grew up as a fangirl. One Direction was and will forever be the reason I wanted to pursue a career in the music industry; even at such a young age I could see the faults in the way they were being managed and treated. I believed even as a young teenager that I’d be able to do a better job at putting an emphasis on uplifting their music and artistry, and ensuring their health was prioritized. I pursued a BA in Music Industry from SUNY (State University New York) Oneonta and graduated in 2022. No matter what I’m doing, my goal has been and will always be to ensure artists are being represented and cared for properly.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my Granny is one I hold so close to my heart. She passed in July 2024, and although she was sick for quite some time it still shattered me to lose someone as special as her. We had very similar personalities which resulted in us butting heads often, but it was her way of showing how much she loved and cared about me. She challenged me because she felt I was capable of greatness. She taught me to that my stubbornness can be a positive quality, she taught me to fight for the people and things I love and believe in, she showed me what it means to be strong and brave. Whenever I’m faced with an obstacle or a difficulty, I can hear her voice in the back of my mind, that British-New York accent quietly cheering me on and telling me to “Go for it”. She was truly one in a million, there will never be another Mary Curran and anyone who knew her would agree. I’m forever grateful to have had her in my life for nearly 24 years, and I really hope I’m making her proud.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I’m a perfectionist. There have been many times in life where the fear of my work not being ‘perfect’ has held me back from sharing my thoughts or getting work done. I was always a person who couldn’t stand the idea of a rough draft in school; why wouldn’t I strive to make my paper or project perfect the first go round? Putting pen to paper, or fingers to the keyboard, can be difficult for me if I don’t know exactly what I want to say. There are still times where I find myself worried about the things I’m writing not being perfect, or my pictures not being totally crisp and clear, but it’s something I’m working on.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Louis Tomlinson. (Any chance I have to talk about my love of One Direction or any of its members I take.) He was recently on Steven Bartlett’s ‘The Diary of a CEO’ podcast, and it was another reminder as to why I admire him so much. He’s not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve or be open about his emotions. I’ve always turned to his music when I need a pick me up or a reminder to keep going when things are hard; hearing him speak so eloquently about complex emotions surrounding grief, being thrust into fame at such a young age, and reframing his idea of success reminded me yet again just how much I admire his strength and ability to be optimistic in the face of hardship. If you haven’t listened to the podcast episode, I highly encourage you to do so.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
That moment at a concert where the pre-show playlist stops and the lights go out, just before the artist or band takes the stage. It’s incredibly thrilling, but it also calms me. I always feel in those moments I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. All the waiting and anticipation leading up to that very moment pays off, and for an hour and a half or so everything feels right in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vibingonvinyl.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vibingonvinyl/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vibingonvinyl?lang=en

Image Credits
Personal photo: Rachel Colleran

Additional photos: Samantha Colleran, VIBING ON VINYL