Today is Canadian singer/songwriter Sam Roberts‘ birthday – Happy 39th my friend! For those who are not familiar with Sam or perhaps not familiar with how he started in the music business, we’ve pulled a little bit of info from his website and his iTunes bio.. as well as a few tidbits from CBC TV the other night.
Sam started as violin player! (I did not know that!) But Sam moved on to guitar, and started a rock and with his friends in Montreal where he lived and grew up. After making a demo which had some positive reaction, Sam decided to release a true debut in 2002. After getting a bit of coverage on MuchMusic (Canada’s version of the early MTV), they decided to try their luck in Los Angeles. No record labels picked them up so they moved back to Montreal and disbanded in 1998. But.. Sam kept writing, and recorded his debut, The Inhuman Condition, which was released in 2002 — AND became the best-selling independent release in Canadian History (this I didn’t know either until watching CBC TV last week). Brother Down was one of the break out hits from this album, and is still a kick ass song nearly 10 yrs later – it’s timeless and has never sounded dated as some older hits often do. The album also produced, Don’t Walk Away Eileen, Where Have all the Good People Gone, and has sold over 50,000 copies in Canada, putting it as Certified Gold.
The rest they say is history- Sam has been nominated for 13 Junos, has won 6, including Album of the Year (We Were Born in a Flame), Rock Album of the Year (We Were Born in a Flame, Love at the End of the World), Artist of the Year (We Were Born in a Flame, Love at the End of the World), and Video of the Year (Bridge to Nowhere), has had numerous #1 Hits, as well as Top 20 songs, and is the hardest working guy we know! And the nicest!
Sam is one of the few — those types of musicians who would continue to write and perform music to a single person in the room just because they have to. One of those who, if unable to write, sing, and share their craft, would lose a part of their very ‘self’. Sam’s music is hard hitting, questioning, political, spiritual, emotional, fun! Well written both lyrically and musically and rockin! The man can’t stand still on stage – not for love or money. Sam is one of the few performers who has the ability to raise his arms once, and people stand up! They sing! They share the moment with each other and with Sam and the band.. and it’s glorious.
Happy Birthday Sam – the original Hipster 10 yrs before there were Hipsters, wearer of the Canadian Tuxedo, sharer of the Faith, keeper of the Rock and Roll flame. It was SO cool to have you give us a new single yesterday (We’re all in This Together), and we can’t wait to hear your new album in 2014!
From my favourite Sam Roberts Band song, Without a Map – “I hope I get to see you again.”
*Brother Down Live (the man never stops moving!)
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*bits of info from SamRobertsBand.com and Wikipedia