SAM FENDER
Sam Fender burst on to the scene with debut single ‘Play God’ in March 2017 and was hailed as one of Annie Mac’s New Names on Radio 1. Sam’s grit and fresh lyrical take on modern society stand him out from a busy genre and display an insight beyond his years.
He picked up the guitar at the age of 8 and the Newcastle native first made a name for himself on the live circuit some years later, securing support slots with some of the most well respected bands and songwriters on the planet (Catfish and the Bottlemen, Hozier, Willy Mason, Ben Howard, Daughter, Michael Kiwanuka). He’s toured with the likes of Nick Mulvey, Vant and George Ezra and this year went across Europe alongside both Bear’s Den and Declan McKenna.
Recording in a shed with good friend and producer Bramwell Bronte, Sam has demoed a plethora of material inspired by his life and the world he observed. In keeping with his anti-establishment rhetoric, capturing his first four singles DIY in a warehouse was only natural. The cherry on the cake was joining forces with the mixer’s behind the likes of QOTSA, Foals and Royal Blood.
His first four singles have been embraced by Spotify, Apple Music and national radio alike gaining Tracks Of the Week accolades and playlisting alongside behemoths of modern music. A hometown headline show at The Cluny (300 cap) celebrating the lauded single ‘Millennial’ sold out within seconds, cementing the furore his earlier exposure had generated before continuing his ascent with Radio 1 Maida Vale sessions and headlining multiple BBC Introducing shows.
With cutting and insightful social commentary Sam is uniquely bringing the venom back into indie hook laden songwriting. It’s not only his lyrics that have grabbed the headlines but his beyond powerful vocal that’s drawn comparisons with Springsteen. He’s said to carry the indie spirit of The Maccabees, the live energy of Foals and the lyrical prowess of Arctic Monkeys, 2018 looks to be the year of Sam Fender.
