An interview with The Sam York of Malama Massage Therapy
Malama is a traditional Hawaiian word meaning to serve with gratitude and honor. One island resident who is committed to serving through the healing power of touch is Sam York, owner of Malama Massage Therapy located at 104 West Hudson Ave. When he’s not offering a custom therapy including deep tissue, sports, pre/postnatal, Thai and Swedish massage, you can catch York on the sand, kayaking in our local waterways, or enjoying live music at Chico Feo or one of our other great local venues.
I recently caught up with York over curry at Jack of Cups. Here is some of what we talked about.
Miranda Jordan: How did you find your way to Folly Beach?
Sam York: I grew up in Columbia, South Carolina and this was the beach I would come to (once I could drive). I went to Clemson, then lived in multiple destinations including San Francisco, Greece, Germany, Savannah, Miami Beach, Manchester England, Asheville, and then finally Charleston and Folly. I’ve been here for five and a half years, and it’s my favorite out of all the places I’ve called home.
MJ: What is your favorite thing about the island?
SY: When I first moved down here from Asheville, I worked as a kayak guide because I wanted to be outside and on the water after living eight years away from the coast. The rivers, creeks and ocean are great and very healing, and can be enjoyed pretty much year-round. So just the overall outdoor environment here is awesome.
MJ: You’ve been a kayak guide, massage therapist, and I know you used to work at the State Museum in Columbia, what is the most interesting job you’ve ever had?
SY: Well, other than a massage therapist? I was backstage manager for a theatre company out of San Francisco, and I was able to go to Brazil for their version of Spoleto. That was amazing! In Greece, I helped some friends prepare to open a coastal bed and breakfast, so I got to do everything from landscaping to stonework to hanging ceiling fans. I only had to work about three hours a day, and yet my hosts provided everything I needed. It was glorious!
MJ: What is one thing your neighbors would be surprised to know about you?
SY: In college, I was in a touring punk band called one3four. I was the screamer. We were awful, but in a fun way. We played up and down the east coast and as far West as Chicago. We even played CBGB’s! We were known as the best opening band, and we were lucky enough to share the bill with Fugazi, Mudhoney, The Jesus Lizard, Ween, and a bunch of other great bands from that era.
MJ: You are sent off to explore a distant galaxy, like Mt. Pleasant, and you can bring along one local band for entertainment, one never-ending dish from a Folly restaurant for sustenance, and one weapon or tool. Go!
SY: I would take my friends The Screaming J’s, we would live off the elusive Wu-Tang noodle bowl (add pork) from Chico Feo, and I would take a banjo to learn to play. Because the Screaming J’s need a banjo, and it would make a good weapon of peace. I could disarm my attacker with music!
Miranda Jordan is a local guidance counselor, musician, and freelance writer. To reach her, you can email her at mirandaalicejordan@gmail.com.
