“Musically, he excels at propulsive, narratively rich folk, delivered in a soaring, clear-as-a-bell
singing voice that makes every word of his evocative, detailed lyrics count.” - Sunday Times

At 27, Sam Brookes is a seasoned veteran of the live music circuit. Not your stereotypical ‘folk
bard ‘ his love of singing and performing has been evolving since his days as a chorister, singing
for the Queen at her private Chapel in Great Windsor Park; add to this his training as a gilder and
a keen interest in sport and Sam already stands apart from his contemporaries.
Brought up in a creative family, his love of music was encouraged from a very early age. He
attributes influences such as Joni Mitchell, Bert Jansch and Davy Graham to his father as well as
more recent influences: ‘Travis’ and ‘The La’s’ to his own musical journey of discovery. His
upbringing in a sleepy Wiltshire Town couldn't have been more different to the frenetic pace of life
in London, where he has spent the last 4 years of his life. Both have impacted greatly on his
career and contributed to his musical style. Sam has become part of the burgeoning folk scene
gigging in and around London to an ever-increasing audience of enthusiasts.
Sam cites his training as a gilder as a positive influence on his guitar playing as well as his
approach to song writing. ‘I approach my music with the same ethic I held whilst gilding - working
hard to create something beautiful’ These influences amalgamate in Sam’s songs to create
something truly unique. He sees himself, first and foremost, as a storyteller who claims John
Steinbeck as one of his major influences. His songs are, fundamentally, beautifully crafted stories
about familiar subject matters which captivate the listener. Musically, his immaculate phrasing
and beautifully modulated delivery reach easily beneath the skin of his audience; the magical
space he creates, with the elasticity of his writing, has the echoes and jazz arches of giants like
John Martyn and Tim Buckley.
His self-titled release produced by Chris Hughes (Tears for Fears, Robert Plant, Paul McCartney)
bought him recognition in the form of high profile support slots with Joan Armatrading, Ray
Davies and Newton Faulkner; this combined with an entrepreneurial spirit and a close kinship
with other musicians such as Lucy Rose, Pete Roe and Emily & The Woods has allowed his live
and recorded sound to evolve in to a more powerful and provocative body of work. Thoughtful
lyrics add poetry to his tracks, something that sets his work apart in an increasingly saturated
area of music.
Ready to write again, and with a musical and creative fire burning inside him, last year saw Sam
set up his own night with some of his aforementioned contemporaries. ‘Because The Night’ is a
popular monthly event; it is a stunningly intimate night in the heart of London which serves to
reassure fellow travellers that music made with acoustic guitars, mandolins and accordions can
once again be relevant. With ten new tracks, ready to go, Sam will self-release his second album
‘Kairos’ in the Spring of 2014 via Pledge Music. The release will be associated with a full touring
schedule of his own shows plus UK tour support for Newton Faulkner, following twenty University
Coffee House Sessions, curated by Huw Stephens.

Website: http://www.sambrookes.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sambrookesmusic
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/sambrookesmusic

@Sam_Brookes

Live At Leeds is a metropolitan music festival held annually across a variety of venues in Leeds on the first bank holiday weekend of May. The ethos has always been to celebrate the best in upcoming local talent alongside more established national and international artists. Over the past eight years, we’ve had the likes of Mumford & Sons, Ed Sheeran, The Maccabees, London Grammar, Alt J and Jake Bugg grace our stages!

The main event, on Saturday 3rd May, hosts over 100 bands playing across a range of venues around Leeds; all of which are accessible via the purchase of a Live at Leeds festival wristband priced at £25! The first waves of bands are all listed on the website (Click Here) and if you sign up to the mailing list below, you’ll be the first to receive further line-up additions.

Tickets are available from Lunatickets, Jumbo Records, Crash Records, Leedstickets, Trinity Leeds Customer Service Lounge, Ticket Arena and Brudenell Social Club and many more...