Sam Buckingham

Listening to Sam?s music, the most striking feature is how quickly the songs demand your attention.

Influenced by everything from the classical greats to the Motown classics, the diversity of Sam?s songwriting leaves you never knowing quite what to expect. From country to jazz, pop to soul, one listen to her new album Daydreamer takes you on a journey of foot tapping, soul searching and good old fashioned grooves.

Right from the beginning of the albums title track, Daydreamer, it's obvious that this music comes from an organic place. With James Gillard (Renee Geyer, Paul Kelly) on the double bass, leading the song into a laid back groove, Sam sings of unrequited love and the need to find more than she?s ever had.

A couple of songs in, and we're transported to a dimly lit piano bar where Sam battles with the frustration of a rocky relationship. You might be noticing a trend here; themes of love lost and found run thick through Sam's songwriting. However, there's a wisdom, maturity and lyrical quality that take these songs beyond the average.

As the album progresses we find evidence of country music influences namely on Song For a Cowboy and Hole in the Floor, there is no doubt Sam knows how to write a good country song. Maybe that?s what attracted Garth Porter (Sara Storer/Lee Kernaghan) to produce this stunning debut album.

Perhaps more than any other song, I Must be a Fool proves to be an emotionally stirring journey, visiting the trials of a suffocating relationship. Singing of the need to be with another whilst keeping her identity, Sam shamelessly bares all with a refreshing honesty and heart-warming strength.

At the age of 14, Sam was given a hand-me-down guitar for Christmas. Made in Spain, nylon stringed and with a rich, warm quality, she discovered music as an outlet to express what she couldn?t say in words. The organic quality of this guitar, coupled with her youthful expression meant Sam began her songwriting career with no pre-conceived ideas or expectations of how her music should sound. Seven years on, Sam still holds a refreshing outlook, a youthful honesty and the ability to relate to all listeners, young and old.

The beginning of 2004 saw Sam release what she called a practice run; her debut EP, Bittersweet. With haunting melodies and her trademark honesty, Bittersweet was soon making waves in all the right places. You're Such a Man, the albums third track, was featured on Australia?s biggest national radio network, triple j. Secret became a regular on Sydney?s fbi morning program and Stars and Hearts was featured on Australian Compilation ?Sounds Like Caf? (Vol 4)? alongside such artists as Tina Harrod, Wendy Matthews and iOTA.

Now, with her first full length release, Daydreamer, and almost 8 years of developing her craft, Sam is carving her name as a force in the international music industry.