Review by Chris Binns @ Australian Surfing Life
"ASL met Sam Smith at a funky barbeque a few years ago and immediately took a strong dislike to the guy. While we hung out in the corner trying not to spit on people when we spoke, good looking rooster Sambo posted up on the back deck and spent the afternoon slaying both his guitar and the ladies. Hailing from Port Lincoln in South Oz, Sam grew up surfing and playing Led Zeppelin around campfires but thankfully avoided becoming the next Xavier Frankenjohnson when he took off to Sweden and joined a jazz band. Now back home and living in Fremantle, Smith has just released his first full length album Further, and it’s great. Away is a standout track and Before Now features Waifs dude Ben Franz plucking away on the double bass. Smith’s voice is tender and striking, occasionally reminiscent of Paul Dempsey from Something For Kate, and over half an hour Smith backs it with sharp guitar work and original, catchy tunes. 4/5"
About Sam Smith…
An acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter, Sam’s story starts at the tender age of eight. Influenced by the likes of Neil Young and Led Zeppelin, he found comfort in the family nylon string and slowly started to create an innate style of his own. However, it wasn’t until his early teens, with a love for the guitar firmly embedded, that his intimate vocal sound and smooth, appealing lyrics started to unfold.
Born in Port Lincoln, South Australia - a small town almost surrounded by water - it’s no surprise home is a big inspiration for a lot of Sam’s songs. He started surfing around the age of five and now at 24, still lives for the ocean, surfing and waves.
In 2000 Sam choose to travel to Sweden where he became guitarist for the successful jazz/ pop band, Blender. It was here, through the bands front man, Hans Andrasko that Sam learnt more about song writing and performing. Once back in Australia, it didn’t take long before he started playing gigs in Port Lincoln and Adelaide as a solo musician, earning himself a loyal following.
Moving to Perth in 2003 was a beneficial step in Sam’s career as he started performing in and around the rustic music scene of Fremantle.
After recording a self-titled, four track demo with Lee Buddle at Sound Mine Studios, Sam has now completed a full length album with acclaimed producer Shaun O’callaghan, at Studio Couch. Shaun was instrumental in the success for artists such as John Butler, Gyroscope, Jebadiah, Eskimo Joe, Little Birdy and Birds of Tokyo.
Drawing on his own experiences, Sam allows his open heart and talent to run freely through his 11 track album entitled ‘Further’. Listeners can expect a theme of the ocean, waves and personal endurance along with intricate acoustic guitar work, intimate vocals and catchy rhythms that will ring around your head for days.
Sam’s live performances have seen him support artists such as Steve Tallis, Iota, Saritah, Toby and code red, Bianca Jade and Simon Kelly. He was lucky enough to record with Ben Franz from the Waifs and the Kill Devil Hills’ Lachlan Gurr. Not to mention, was recently selected to play at Fremantle’s Blues ‘n’ Roots Fringe festival. His album ‘Further’ is now available on iTunes.
..
