Emerging contemporary country artist Sammi Palinkas is set to release her highly anticipated single, “No Settlin'”.
“No Settlin'” is a powerful anthem about embracing authenticity and refusing to settle for anything less than what brings true happiness.
“I had so much fun writing this song with Rod McCormack and Nashville’s Sally Barris,” says Palinkas. “When Rod came up with the line, ‘there’s no settlin’ for me, even when I settle down,’ it immediately struck a chord with me. We grow up with this idea of the ‘white picket fence’ dream, but life doesn’t always unfold that way. ‘No Settlin’ came from that realisation: I’d rather be happy on my own, pursuing what I love, than settle for anything less.”
The song channels the energy of country icons like Lainey Wilson, alongside nostalgic influences from late ’90s and early 2000s country music-the era when Palinkas first fell in love with the genre. “I hope listeners feel empowered to follow their own path, whatever that looks like for them,” she adds.
Visually, “No Settlin'” stands out just as much as it does sonically. Palinkas collaborated with Bonnie Jarrett of BonnCreative to craft a vibrant and imaginative music video. Inspired by comments that she looked like a “Western Barbie,” Palinkas was determined to avoid becoming just another blonde country singer. “I had this colourful, dollhouse-like vision for the video, and I used AI to bring my ideas to life and share them with Bonnie. From there, we worked to create something truly special,” she explains.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, the video depicts Palinkas literally setting the traditional “white picket fence” dream on fire, before driving off in a vintage Mustang, symbolising her journey toward personal happiness and freedom.
“No Settlin’ marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for me, and I’m beyond proud of the world we’ve built around this song and my album. I can’t wait to share it with everyone,” says Palinkas.
Sammi Palinkas has already made a significant impact on Australia’s country music scene. Working with award-winning producer Rod McCormack (known for his work with Paul Kelly, The Wolfe Brothers, and Lee Kernaghan), her debut album is set to be one of the year’s most anticipated releases.
Palinkas’ previous singles have garnered impressive success. Her debut country single “Meet in the Middle” debuted at #3 on the Australian iTunes Country chart and #8 across All Genres. Subsequent releases, including “You’ve Lived,” “Don’t Blink,” and “Let Your Hair Down,” all landed in the Top 10, further cementing her place as one of the brightest emerging stars in the genre.
From winning a national singing competition at just eight years old to performing at major events like the VFLW Grand Final, Sammi Palinkas has dedicated her life to her craft. Her musical journey has taken her across the globe, collaborating with top songwriters in Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville. Recognised by prestigious organizations like NSAI and the International Songwriting Competition, her talent and determination continue to shine.
“No Settlin'” promises to be another significant milestone leading into Palinkas’ debut album release. Fans can catch her first headline show at George Lane in St Kilda this November 14th.