BC and Sam

Artist Information

Biography

BC and Sam combines the formidable talents of Samantha Thoe-Schechter and Brian Cutler. More precisely, audiences around the Pacific Northwest and beyond are catching on to the great songs penned by Mr. Cutler and the stunning vocal interpretations of those songs by Ms. Thoe-Schechter.

Their debut album, "Night Crossing," goes out of its way to emphasize these two traits. The work comes across as a bare-boned gem, recorded live in the studio, with all the energy and passion BC and Sam put into their live performances. The songs have a way of jumping out at you. You'll hear songs of love realized, love in crisis, and love lost. But you'll also hear songs of Civil War ghosts, old friends coming together, a prison yard warning, and even the stirrings of an oppressed people rising up and seeking justice.

Two vocals, one guitar. A voice that will melt your heart. Songs that you can't forget.

But who are these guys? You can think of it as a musical December/May relationship with Brian as the wily veteran and Samantha as the up-and-coming talent. Their meeting in the middle combines freshness with experience, and turns their live shows into must-see events rich with emotion.

Brian Cutler began his musical journey in his native Northern California where he joined legendary bluegrass ensemble, South Loomis Quickstep. Brian played guitar and did much of the lead singing for the outfit. He wrote the title track for their "Satin Rose" LP, and produced the group's three records along with bassist Rob Bonner. Brian relocated to Seattle and began playing stand-up bass with the acoustic group, Brio that featured his brother, Roy Cutler, on guitar, and Pete Rybar on woodwinds.

Another move brought Brian to Portland where he continued to lend his stand-up bass and vocals to such acts as the Chamberpot Quartet, and singer/songwriters McKinley and Nicole Campbell. Brian's solo CD, "Wax Moons and Satin Roses" was issued in the year 2000 on the Wrought Iron label. He returned to Seattle and has played electric bass with the Stephen Grace Band. Brian and Samantha began singing together casually in 2009 and decided to record the newest batch of songs--many of them written specifically for Samantha's powerful voice.

Samantha discovered her voice at sixteen after auditioning for a role in a community theater production. She didn't land the acting part, but was offered a position singing in the chorus. The choir director recognized Samantha's natural singing ability, and asked her to sing a solo. Bolstered by this experience and encouraged by her step-father, Samantha began taking classical voice lessons with a former member of the Seattle Opera Chorus. Samantha's classical training provided her with a solid vocal foundation from which she was able to begin cultivating her own unique sound and style.

Over the next decade, Samantha sang lead vocals in several cover bands whose material spanned the spectrum of musical genres: blues, R&B, classic rock, folk, funk, and pop. Singing songs from a variety of musical genres enabled Samantha to become a more versatile and confident singer. Recently, however, she began to long for the opportunity to sing original material. It was serendipitous, then, that Brian - a fellow musician and friend - was searching for a singer to give voice to his songs.

Instrumentation

Samantha Thoe-Schechter, vocals
Brian Cutler, guitar and vocals

Discography

"Night Crossing"--a ten song debut CD available on CDBaby, iTunes, DigStation, and at all BC and Sam performances.

Audio

• Mississippi Mudbone
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• Brownsville Boys
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• Hear the Wind Blow
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• I Know There's a Hand on the Other Side
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• Little Did She Know
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• All Good Things
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• Last Train
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• Look Back and Wave
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Lyrics

• Hear the Wind Blow
• I Know There's a Hand on the Other Side
• Little Did She Know
• Mississippi Mudbone
• Brownsville Boys
• Look Back and Wave
• Last Train
• All Good Things

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Featured in Alternate Root Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  The power of Samantha Thoe-Schechter’s voice comes on strong immediately on ‘Night Crossing’. Her du...The power of Samantha Thoe-Schechter’s voice comes on strong immediately on ‘Night Crossing’. Her duo partner, Brian Cutler (BC) adds voice and guitar. Brian Cutler takes the low road in the vocals, lending a softness that wraps around the guitar work to offer a foundation from which Samantha’s voice can soar.
  Together they are BC and Sam. Their combined force delivers ‘Night Crossing’, their debut. The fact that the album is comprised of guitar and two voices can easily be forgotten. There is a power that moves through these songs, bringing strength to narrators and characters.
  Album opener, “Mississippi Mudbone”, slinks into being and crawls through its life with Samantha’s molasses thick voice gaining and holding the high ground within seconds. There are moments of quiet reflection (“I Know There’s A Hand on the Other Side”, “Last Train”), rollicking rambles (“Never Really Gone”, “Brownsville Boys”) and bright soundscapes (“Night Crossing”, “All Good Things”). The story telling is equal to the power of the vocals and the tenderness of the playing. Tales of love and loss, leaving and staying share the stage.
  Both Brian and Samantha have logged many hours into musical endeavors. Singing and playing have become second nature. They became united in voice in 2009.
  
  http://www.thealternateroot.com/index.php/features/featured-artists-of-the-week

Setlist

We perform all original music. Most of our set comes from our "Night Crossing" CD.

Basic Requirements

Calendar