Sam Thacker
Hanover, New Hampshire, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Lines (2009)
Sam Thacker released his second album, Lines, in the summer of 2009 – four years after his debut, Above the Underneath. Taking such a substantial amount of time between albums was a conscious decision; one that afforded Thacker the opportunity to develop as an artist in a way that seems to have been forgotten by most of the music industry today. He honed his skills as a songwriter and a performer over time and, perhaps most importantly, on the road. His growth is evident on his sophomore effort as he marries his sincere songwriting with sweeping, anthemic choruses and melodies. Lines features appearances by a number of celebrated artists, including Corey Smith, Aslyn, and Ryan Newell of Sister Hazel.
- “Thacker’s lines are leading him to a very bright future.” - Atlanta Music Guide
- “A testament to Thacker’s exceptional talent. These 12 songs are well-crafted, hook-heavy, melodic tunes.” – Performer Magazine
- “A must have…. I’m wondering why every pop station in the country isn’t playing Sam Thacker.” – Georgia Jukebox
- “Thacker’s talent for putting real emotion into his songs carries the album.” – Metromix
Tracklisting:
1. Yes
2. Something
3. Tonight
4. Ashes
5. Right Where We Want It
6. Don’t Leave Here Tonight
7. Who I’d Rather Be
8. No One Needs To Know
9. North
10. Like A Fighter
11. Once
12. The Last
All songs written by Sam Thacker, except Something by Sam Thacker and Joe Stark, Ashes, Who I’d Rather Be, and No One Needs To Know by Sam Thacker and Jason Phelps, Right Where We Want It by Sam Thacker, Jason Phelps and Corey Smith, Like A Fighter by Sam Thacker, Michael Westbrook, and Russ-T Cobb.
Produced and mixed by Russ-T Cobb
- Various
Above the Underneath (2005)
Sam Thacker recorded his debut album, Above the Underneath, over the course of a year – squeezing in studio time between college classes and gigs at Atlanta area bars. Almost immediately following the album’s release in 2005, Thacker hit the road, playing shows across the southeast and winning over both fans and critics alike. Radio soon began paying attention as singles Serenade and If You’re Gone picked up spins on Top 40 stations in Georgia and Florida. The album also features fan favorites, Free and Over Here.
- Above the Underneath is simply one of the best undiscovered jems of 2005. Thacker writes with the maturity of a seasoned songwriter and has an undeniable knack for weaving beautiful melodies. – Just Another Song
- “Above the Underneath is a triumph for Thacker, and a good indication of what’s to come.” – The Georgia Jukebox
Tracklisting:
1. Serenade
2. Free
3. Undone
4. Oh Well
5. Rest Easy
6. If You’re Gone
7. I’m Still Here
8. The Other One
9. I’d be a Fool
10. Over Here
11. Guide You Well
12. Words
All songs written by Sam Thacker, except Free by Sam Thacker and Francisco Vidal
Produced by Greg Lee, except Serenade produced by Greg Lee and Russ-T Cobb
Mixed by John Driskell Hopkins and Greg Lee, except Serenade and Free mixed by Russ-T Cobb
- Various
Discography
"Lines" - Full-length album, released August 4, 2009.
"Right Where We Want It"- first single from "Lines;" received spins on Top 40, AAA, and Rock radio.
"Above The Underneath" - Full-length album; released April 2005
"Serenade" - first single from "Above The Underneath;" received Top 40 and Satellite radio adds
"If You're Gone" - scond single from "Above the Underneath;" received Top 40 radio add
"Oh Well" - 3rd single from "Above the Underneath;" received Satellite radio add
Photos
Bio
www.SamThacker.com
www.MySpace.com/SamThacker
www.Facebook.com/SamThackerMusic
www.Twitter.com/SamJThacker
After diving headfirst into the music scene with his 2005 debut, Above the Underneath, Sam Thacker released his sophomore album, Lines, in August of 2009. But while it is often tempting to measure the careers of artists simply by their discography, much of Thacker’s story is found in the interim – it lives in overnight van rides and cramped motel rooms, grows through honest experiences and inspired collaborations, and it is written on the walls and stages of clubs and theaters across the country.
Indeed, taking such a substantial amount of time between albums was a conscious decision; one that afforded Thacker the opportunity to develop as an artist in a way that seems to have been forgotten by most of the music industry today. He honed his skills as a songwriter and a performer over time and, perhaps most importantly, on the road. “I’ve spent the better part of the last three years between a van, an SUV and a bus driving across the country playing music – following broken lines along highways and back roads to and from places I’d never been before,” he says. “Every song on this album was shaped, in some way, by those stripes that lead me away from and back to my home…the lines that have made me the artist and person that I am today. They represent loss and appreciation for the past, growth and transformation, hope and excitement for the future. So this new album is called Lines. It is about crossing lines and drawing new ones. It is about the lines that bring us to where we are and the lines that will lead us to what we will become.”
Thacker’s journey thus far is evident on Lines. Recorded in 2008 with renowned Atlanta-based producer Russ-T Cobb (Avril Lavigne, My Chemical Romance, Butch Walker), the album represents a remarkable growth for Sam both as a songwriter and a performer. The twelve songs drip with relentless reality and emotion that demands notice, yet he manipulates melody and rhythm in a way that allows the songs to remain accessible to his diverse audience. Performer Magazine notes, “Thacker writes lyrics that are personal while at the same time easily relatable.”
While Thacker’s sincere songwriting remains rooted in singer/songwriter tradition (think Bruce Springsteen meets John Mayer), he delivers his tunes with sweeping anthemic choruses that point to the influence of larger-than-life rock bands (like U2 and Coldplay). Atlanta Music Guide writes, “Thacker combines the expected folk and country guitar riffs with an unexpected rock edge.” Indeed, one listen to Yes (the opening track on Lines) forces the listener to immediately dispel any inclination to pigeonhole Thacker as just another “guy-with-guitar singer/songwriter.”
Fans and critics are not the only ones drawn to Thacker’s unique blend of songwriting and performance. Artists like Corey Smith, Ryan Newell (Sister Hazel), Aslyn, and Joe Stark (Sons of William) make guest appearances on Lines. Their contributions are testaments not only to the quality of the album but also to it’s broad based appeal. There is something for everyone on Lines and the collaborations seem to embody the overall feel of the album – the lines of which Thacker writes unite rather than divide, explain instead of exclude. Like Thacker’s songs and endearing performances, they connect.
Band Members
Links
