Sam Lewis’ music has a unique modern sound, a heady mix of soulful vocals, heartfelt passionate lyrics with tinges of blues, country, folk and soul, all played with a vitality that is fast becoming his trade mark style, truly unique and beautiful. After being taught to play the guitar at the age of 11 by his musical father, Sam’s big break came after meeting KT Tunstall in a Willsden Park – a meeting that led to him becoming her guitar player for her world tours from 2004 until 2009. He has also performed with King Creosote, Bert Jansch and Tom Baxter.
After some his years on the road with KT Tunstall, Sam took a year out do some shows and to write and record a debut album of his own. His debut album, Everything You Are, was released in 2007, and includes Another Lifetime, featuring KT herself on vocals. The album received a four-star review in Mojo, plus positive reviews by the BBC and Americana magazine, and was made Q track of the day.
The follow-up album, The City and I, due for an Autumn 2011 release, has seen Sam once again working with fellow musician and producer Chris Morphitis. It was a journey that took the influences and inspiration that helped shape the intimate Everything You Are to a whole new arena of sound. Now, not limited to an acoustic set up and recording in a bedroom, the new album takes on a much bolder and energetic sound. Influences on this album were plentiful – including Sam’s involvement in a collaboration that saw a few musicians making the trip to Kenya to record with traditional musicians for Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings. The record also features Damon Albarn.
