“Folk music is just storytime for adults”

Listen to a 22 minute WAMC NPR feature on our new album — and stream a performance and interview on WCBE today at 11AM.

I’m thankful for public radio stations. I listened regularly to WYSO out of Yellow Springs as a kid, and they offer such a window into art and music, particular the stuff that’s just a quick jog off the beaten path.

I’d like to appreciate Sarah LaDuke from WAMC NPR out of Albany, New York. She took a liking to our album and reached out to feature it on their airwaves that reach half a million people a month in the northeastern US. I took the interview, during my lunch break at the library no less.

I was impressed by her thoughtful approach and desire to highlight b-sides — Sale Today and Couch Song — that were not highlighted as singles. We had a lovely talk (which became a 22 minute feature!!) about the intersection of Toddler Storytime and folk music, how work at the library allows me to make art more freely, and some additional details about dad’s accident at the center of our new record.

If you want to hear us on an NPR station in our hometown, tune into WCBE (or stream it on their website) at 11am. We’ll be playing live and chatting about our big release show tomorrow at Rumba cafe.

I imagine that this will be the only time we play the album in its entirety with a 7-piece band. If you want to be there, I’d suggest buying a ticket online post-haste.

With appreciation,

Sam

our new album is out!

It’s here!

I’m so thrilled to share this album with you. I could say many things, but I’ll leave it at this. I am proud of what we made. It helped me grow through a difficult time and come out a better person. And I am thankful for the family and friends by my side throughout it.

For context on the album, I suggest reading this amazing article by Columbus Monthly. I was floored by how thoughtfully it was written and how thoroughly it was researched. Hard recommend.

I think the album pairs well with a comforting drink of your choice, a comfortable place to sit, and about 40 minutes of sustained attention (for me, that’s a decaf irish coffee on the long mustard-yellow couch in front of my stereo). But that’s just me — you can enjoy it however you’d like to. (If you want it on CD, LP, or want some merch, it all ships for free today.)

Are you going to play these songs at some shows? — Yes!

We are celebrating with a release show in Columbus, Ohio with a seven-piece band at Rumba Cafe. It is on Saturday, April 13th and doors open at 5pm. We’re not night owls, so come join us for an early show, opened up by Chamber Brews.

We are also playing in Chicago on Saturday April 27th at Judson & Moore Distillery with Holy Joke and Marvin Stumbles.

After that, we’ll go to Germany to play a bunch of shows.

What comes next?

We’re lining up other shows after we return to Europe — reply to this email if you want us to come to where you live. And if you have any thoughts you’d like to share or questions that arise, send me a message through the website. I’d love to hear what you have to say

Wishing you well — I hope you get to see your family and friends this weekend (that is, if you want to see you family and friends).

Cheers,

Sam & Hello Emerson

Germany tour dates + 
Pre-save our FINAL single

Hey there. Hope Tuesday is ok for you — I have two updates.

1. Our final single comes out on Friday.

Consider giving it a pre-save here — it’s a free way to help it find other strangers who might love our music if they had the chance to hear it. And it will help you not forget to give it a listen when it comes out! Dubs all around.

2. We are touring as a trio in Germany in May.

Be sure to check the dates and add us to your calendar — and let us know if you’re coming! (I will be bringing my journal with me in case you want a closer look.)

Sending you my best,

Sam & Hello Emerson


Two shows next weekend, a November retreat, and a cover video

I am looking forward to teaching writing & songwriting at Words in the Hills 
(and you should come join me!)

Megan Bee has organized a three day writing retreat for creative writers across all genres and experience levels. I’ll be there leading a class on songwriting. There will be meals and lodging and hikes and yoga and everything you want in a fall weekend. I’m really looking forward to being there and spending some dedicated focused time with people who want to make things. You can find more information at their website and consider joining us!

I am looking forward to playing a trio show at the Vanderelli Room on Saturday 9/9

The 9/9 show is a benefit for the Bee Collective. We like them and met them at the Indie Go-Go fest organized by Left Out. I am looking forward to the show. Feel free to shoot us a message if you’re curious about what we’re playing that night. We hit the stage at 6:30, but the day will be happening for hours before that. Wish me luck as I get off at work and try to make it there in time for a 6:30 downbeat! Tickets here.

I am looking forward to playing a solo show at Double Happiness on Sunday 9/10

The solo show is with Melanie MacLaren and Coralilly — amazing songwriters both of them. Don’t miss out on that goodness. I recorded a cover of on of Melanie’s songs — you can find it in full on youtube. Tickets here.


Don't miss this early show on Sunday, Sept. 10th

I’m at home with a guitar in my lap by my desk, learning a song called “Dissociating at a Tiki Bar in a Landlocked State” by Melanie MacLaren because it’s such a beauty of a song. I like songs that are little movies, taking you on a guided tour through a little scene, playing games with you to guess the story as it emerges from each little piece of the set. This is a gorgeous example of one.

I’ll post a cover on Monday. I’m doing this because I’m playing a solo opening solo set at Double Happiness on Sunday September 10th at 7pm. Coralily is also playing, fresh off their set at Nelsonville, so you’re really in for a treat of a three course meal.

It’s an early show. It’s a songwriter show. It’s everything you’d want. Tickets are linked at our website. I hope to see you there.

“Children with the Blues” comes out on February 24th — pre-save it today.

We are releasing our first new song in three years. This is what the art looks like.

You can help us out for free by “pre-saving” it. Here’s what that means.

Spotify playlists are one way that our music finds new ears. They (‘they’ meaning some odd combination of algorithms and playlist editors… I think?) have the ability to put new music onto popular playlists, sharing that song with many new listeners. Some will not like our music, and others will. That’s just how it goes.

I sometimes think of songs like little tools. They exist to help people do something. Sometimes the purpose is just to facilitate a quiet moment of reflection, sometimes an invitation to grieve someone you lost, sometimes an opportunity to turn the fuck up and dance it all away.

Pre-saving our new single will give our little song more of an opportunity to be useful to people, from close friends to people we haven’t met yet. I am optimistic that this song may make some people feel less lonely — so I’d be eager for your help getting it to the right ears.

Consider this a long-winded invitation to click this link to pre-save our track. Or even buy tickets to the release show on February 24th at Rambling House with Eliza Edens.

Best wishes,

sam


New song on 2/24 + release show w/ Eliza Edens at Columbus' Rambling House!

We are playing a **SINGLE RELEASE** show with Eliza Edens (NYC/Boston) at Rambling House on Friday February 24th. We will be playing as a four-piece band and celebrating the first single of 2023, “Children with the Blues.” Come join us for a nice, nice time. Click for tickets.

Also, dozens parcels with stickers and merch are headed through the door and out to Idaho, Maine, Oregon, California, Utah, Wisconsin, and all across Ohio.

I managed to find a few extra mugs, aprons, and first pressings of the first record. Inventory is updated on the website — if they are listed, I’m ready to ship them to you.

A few folks ordered handwritten lyrics! I do those for any song that I’ve written. Feel free to check out examples on the website and contact me there if you’ve got other questions or requests for your *bespoke* artwork.

Stickers are still free! Up to two per order now, so we can keep it going longer! Go get em!

Handwritten Song Lyrics
Handwritten Song Lyrics

Turn your favorite song into a one of a kind art piece!

All lyric sheets are personally handwritten by the songwriter on high quality 8.5x11” white cardstock with Pilot Precise V5 Extra Fine pens. Choose to have simply lyrics, or request a few small (but relevant) doodles!

Safely ships via USPS in a manila envelope reinforced with recycled cardboard.

Song:
Would you like your lyrics with small doodles, or doodle-free?:
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