NOISEY PREMIERED “I’M NOT YOUR MAN” VIDEO
ON TOUR NOW SUPPORTING JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
Sammy Brue is set to release his debut album I Am Nice on June 16th, 2017 via New West Records. The 12-song set was produced by John Paul White of the Civil Wars and Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes and recorded at their Sun Drop Sound studio in Florence, Alabama. Already hailed as an “American prodigy” by Rolling Stone and a “wunderkind” by American Songwriter, the just-turned 16-year-old is a remarkable young talent. His catchy compositions embody the sort of wisdom, empathy and insight that is usually associated with more experienced songwriters and has caught the attention of The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, The Fader, and more. Vice’s music site Noisey premiered the video for the album’s first single “I’m Not Your Man” Friday (5/12). The Black Balloon-directed clip was shot at the landmark Los Angeles book store The Bodhi Tree and can be seen HERE. Noisey stated, “…the future of Americana/Folk/Country is in very young, very capable hands,” continuing, “…where Brue stands out isn’t just his age, but his razor-sharp songwriting.” Rolling Stone Country previously premiered the video for album opener “I Know,”, which can be seen HERE. They stated, “…Brue balances a mature, brooding sense of folk with wistful, youthful lyricism: on one hand, he’s an artist gifted way beyond his years. On the other, he’s a teenager who misses the girl he left behind,” adding, “I Am Nice infuses a new complexity into Brue’s style: a little doo-wop on ‘Was I The Only One,’ some Nirvana-inspired scruff on ‘Control Freak,’ the echoing introspection of ‘Salty Times.’” I Am Nice will be available digitally, on compact disc, and vinyl and can be pre-ordered HERE.
A native of Portland, Oregon, now living in Ogden, Utah, Sammy Brue has been writing songs since he was 10 years old after receiving an acoustic guitar from his father for Christmas. Long influenced by the Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Leadbelly, and Woody Guthrie songs played in the family car for years, Sammy quickly embraced the instrument and wrote his first song within two months. He states, “When I started making music myself, I wanted it to have that old sound, because that’s what I grew up with and that’s what I love.” He cut his teeth busking on the sidewalk during the Sundance Film Festival while in the fourth grade with his performances turning the heads of famous actors, musicians and the media alike. Among the first to champion Sammy’s talents was fellow artist Justin Townes Earle who extended an invite to open for him after meeting Sammy and his dad on a tour stop. After becoming a friend and songwriting mentor to Sammy, Justin featured him on the cover of his 2014 album Single Mothers. Sammy is currently supporting Justin Townes Earle on his initial tour dates in support of I Am Nice (please see dates below with more to be announced).
Before signing to New West Records, Sammy self-released two EPs, the latest being I Don’t Want You To Leave in 2015. The devastatingly beautiful collection of songs touched on heartbreak, jealousy, religion, and suicide and garnered praise with Rolling Stone stating “On songs like the title track, it’s nearly impossible not to think of a young Bob Dylan discovering Woody Guthrie, cutting his teeth in New York bars.” When asked about recording his debut long player I Am Nice with John Paul White and Ben Tanner, Sammy said “It was just a great experience,” admitting, “I was nervous at first, because I’d never recorded an actual album with real professionals and I didn’t know what to expect. But eventually I told myself ‘This is your album, this is what you want to do for the rest of your life,’ and that’s when I pulled into another gear.” Tanner and White gently augmented his songs with spacious, evocative arrangements that showcase the strength and substance of his lyrics and melodies.
While juggling his school responsibilities, Sammy has maintained a workmanlike schedule sharing stages with Lucinda Williams, Hayes Carll, John Moreland, Asleep At The Wheel, Justin Townes Earle, Lydia Loveless and more. He has also already appeared at the Newport Folk Festival and Summerfest. With the release of I Am Nice, it feels like just the beginning of a very long music making career for Sammy. “The whole idea of music, for me, is to make people feel certain emotions, and make them feel like I’m singing to them.” Sammy states. “When people tell me they feel that way, it gives me a lump in my throat. There’s endless possibilities to music, and I can’t wait to learn more about it and find new hooks and new ways that chords go together.”
I Am Nice Track Listing:
1. I Know
2. Was I The Only One
3. I’m Not Your Man
4. I Never Said
5. Jealous
6. Covered In Blood
7. I Don’t Want You To Leave
8. I See I Hear
9. Lay Me Down
10. Control Freak
11. Once A Lover
12. Salty Times
Sammy Brue On Tour:
May 12 – Fall River, MA @ Narrows Center for the Artsº
May 13 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclairº
May 15 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstageº
May 20 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hallº
May 22 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hallº
May 23 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenueº
May 26 – Denver, CO @ The Bluebird Theaterº
May 27 – Bellvue, CO @ Mishawaka Amphitheatreº
May 30 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatreº
June 2 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’sº
June 3 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Reyº
June 4 – Ogden, UT @ Fort Buenaventura Park
ºappearing with Justin Townes Earle