Artist Information Biography Biography *2009 Kerrvillle NewFolk Finalist *2009 Storyhill Main Stage Performer *2008 Mountain NewSong Finalist - 1st place Winner Western Regionals *2008 Sisters Folk Festival Songwriting Contest Finalist *2007 Folks Fest Songwriter Showcase- 1st Place WINNER *2007 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour Contest finalist *2007 Tucson Folk Festival finalist *2007 Mountain New Song Contest (austin regionals) *2007 & 2006 Founders Folk and Bluegrass Festival finalist *2007 Honorable mention for Woody Guthrie Songwriting Contest If you could patent a failsafe formula for a marked upswing in creativity and artistic productivity, it could certainly look a lot like this: *Record a debut album (2004's Rotate), learn from its victories and not-so-victories. *Rub shoulders with up-and-comers (Amy Speace, Kathrin Shorr, Edie Carey) and seasoned success stories (Mark Stuart/Stacey Earle, Vance Gilbert, Christine Kane, Ellis). *Move from Utah to Texas to Wyoming to Seattle. Wanderlust, anyone? *Live and soak in Austin, songwriting capital of the free world (just ask any Texan). *Be a featured guest at your alma mater's Mountain West Songfest & Symposium. * Cut your hair (you'd be surprised by the anti-Samson effect). Maybe even dye it. *Have a baby. Stress, love, and sleep deprivation are songwriting miracle-gro. *Honorable mention two Folks Festival Songwriter Showcases and win another one. *Play the Founders Title Folk Festival, and crash the party with the Go Girls unofficial SXSW Showcase, and Gorilla Showcases at Folk Alliance. * Play all over the U.S., including in-the-studio performances on KOAY (SLC), WPR (Laramie, WY), KHEN (Salida, CO), KDNK (Carbondale, CO). After all that, the last thing Sarah Sample wanted to make was just another folkie -girl-with-a-guitar album. Sure, the songs were born as just an acoustic guitar and a voice. And, in the folk tradition she loves and respects so much, have been taken across America that way.  But she didn't want to document them that way. At least not this time. Enter Scott Wiley (Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Elliott Smith) and a new sonic palette. With plenty of reverence for the songs because, after all, it's all about the songs, they set out to take Sarah's music into new territory. The album "Never Close Enough" is to Sarah Sample as "Flaming Red" is to Patty Griffin: a marked departure from a promising, acoustic debut but never too far away from her soulful folk roots. Sarah's passionate, soul-stirring voice is still up front. And her compassionate, empathetic take on the human condition and her melodic polaroids are more moving than ever in songs like "Noah" and the title track. Fresh (dare we say rocking?) ground is broken on movers and shakers like "Pull the Plug" and "If You See Me Walking." A horn section takes us all to church on "Moonlight Band." Still, songs like "Sunrise or Two" and "Count the Colors" are sure to feel like that familiar, favorite sweater on a quiet night to longtime listeners. Salt Lake Weekly wrote, "In a fair world...Never Close Enough should become the standard of comparison for other female folksinger/songwriters." Add to the list above, "follow up with an even-better EP." Working with Scott Wiley again, "Born To Fly" was tracked live with up to ten incredible musicians playing (tastefully) at the same time over two days. Salt Lake City Weekly called Born to Fly "her best effort to date. Sample's raw, graceful voice is stronger and more self-assured, enhancing lyrical content that cuts to the bone." Instrumentation if solo: Sarah Sample on vocals, guitars, stage banter... if with a band: usually drums/percussion, bass, mandolin etc. Contact: 888-562-1138 sarah@sarahsample.com www.sarahsample.com Discography "Born to Fly" Released February 2009 "Never Close Enough" released Spring 2007 "Rotate" released February 2003 "Dancing in the Kitchen" new songs- demo released April 2005 Links http://www.sarahsample.com