Can you get your butt to Dallas? Did you hear the code word? Then enter now and see Sam on us!

Already bought your tickets for Dallas? Why not enter and take some friends or family who have not yet experienced the “eff me” eyes.

Even if you don’t win the tickets, EVERYONE in Dallas is still a WINNER!

You all win special time with Drunk LiLi and hopefully ::fingers crossed:: Sober Amber. Okay, probs Buzzed Amber. And, that’s not all…. we will also throw in…. hugs. That’s RIGHT! You ALL win hugs from both myself and LiLi!! There are no losers in this game. Oh no.

Will you be in Dallas? We want to hear so we can prep our hugging arms! Seeing Sam somewhere else? Let us know where and we will virtually hug you.

Comments are right over there. ————————————————–>

Oh and I guess it might be helpful to have an end date on this bad boy, sooooo….

All entries MUST be received by May 19 at 11:59 p.m. CDT. The winner will be notified on May 20 by email as well as a super awesome post on  so everyone can congratulate you!

presents

Holly Conlan

Since you are ALL going to see Sam Bradley on his Minor Tour, those of you in the U.S. need to get familiar with another name… Holly Conlan. And let me tell you, you are going to want to get there early to see her because she is pretty much amazeballs. Srsly.

Here is her bio from Shore Fire Media:

Los Angeles native Holly Conlan has carved out a distinct niche in Hollywood’s expansive music community. Her musical journey from a child pawing her father’s grand piano, to classical composition student, to surefooted indie-pop artist has led to the sort of burgeoning career that few independent artists enjoy.

A 2008 release of the Bird EP saw Holly’s first national exposure, with the languid piano and soaring cellos of “Winter” and the upbeat smirk of “OK” appearing in hit shows like One Tree Hill, 90210, Drop Dead Diva, Ghost Whisperer, The Ex List, and Privileged. That Summer, “You Are Goodbye” was awarded the coveted iTunes Single of the Week spot– its heartbreaking lyric and haunting production garnering a slew of new fans. Soon the film world took notice, and Conlan was offered a spot on the soundtrack of Love and Other Impossible Pursuits starring Natalie Portman. Radio play followed in a nod from KCRW (Top Tune – “OK”) and her addition to their 2009 pledge-drive giveaway package.

With the support of LA’s famed Hotel Cafe, Holly has been lucky to share the stage with a number of notable performers including Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, Katy Perry, and Butch Walker. As part of 2008′s Hotel Cafe Tour, she traded sets with the likes of Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko, and Erin McCarley. Plus, her addition of “I’ll be Home for Christmas” to their holiday compilation, Winter Songs, rounded out the Sony/Epic release.

2009 saw the independent release of her newest LP, Fascinator. A culmination of more than a year’s work, the thirteen song offering retains the piano driven spirit of the Bird EP but delves deeper into instrumentation and arrangement, with lyrics that hypnotize. Produced by Al Sgro (Meiko, Gary Jules) and mixed by Darrel Thorp (Beck, Radiohead), Fascinator’s mature realization is proof that Holly Conlan’s journey is far from over.

Here is a taste of Holly AND you can get this song on her website for free!

Not only does Holly have “You and Me” as a free download on her site, you ALSO get a free coupon code for Toms when you sign up for the newsletter. Free music and a deal on shoes? Win-win, my friends.

And really? Sam? You are not fooling anyone. We see what you are doing touring with all these hot babes. And for that we say, kudos Sam. Kudos.

Find Holly all over the interwebs below:

Website
Facebook
Youtube
Myspace
Twitter

AND, if you haven’t bought your tickets yet for the tour, while you are getting the major side-eye from us, you need to go check the tour dates and get on it.

What do y’all think? Tell us in the comments! We love to hear from you!!

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Holy blue Marcus picture Batman!

This has to be new, right? If not, well, I’m not sure I can be friends with you anymore since y’all didn’t send it to me. I feel like my life as a Marcus fangirl has been divided in 2… pre-blue picture and post-blue picture. Gah.

So, where did this come from? Well, the people over at For Folk’s Sake rolled 10 questions past Marcus and this pretty little thing was attached.

Let’s talk about the MOST important thing from the article, at least in all the U.S. fans opinions.

We’re doing a stack of dates in April around UK. We’re playing loads of festivals and then hopefully head back to U.S. later in the year.

U.S. tour? Yes please!! It’s been a long time baby. A very long time. I need uninitiated hugs and short pants back in my life STAT!

And if you are wondering, I am totally ignoring the question on that certain movie and U.S. fans, cause honestly, I think that’s one of those answers that just comes out all wrong. I get what he’s trying to say, but some will probs take offense when really, he’s right. There. I said it.

Go and read the whole interview over at For Folk’s Sake. I love all the good press coming out as of late about Marcus and it can only get BETTER as we get closer to the full album release date (rumored for June 13). I should add this, to Marcus or any of the Team Foster peeps, LiLi and I would be happy to review said album before it comes out. Just sayin’.

And don’t forget y’all…. Tumble Down EP is OUT! If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, well, we are going to shame you. SHAME!!!

Here are the links to get on it:

• Download on iTunes (UK)
• Purchase the CD on Amazon (UK), Amazon (US) or Roughtrade
• Purchase the vinyl on Roughtrade

And please join me in laughter as we see Marcus is wearing THE SAME shirt while riding in the tour van today!

Thanks to XMAAS for this gem! Srsly adorbs that boy is!

MARCUS IS JOINING SAM ON THE LAST LEG OF HIS MINOR TOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(No, that is not enough exclamation points to express my joy.)

We have got the dates that Marcus will be there! Click the jump or scroll down to see if your Sam date is one of them!

APRIL FOOLS!!!!!!!!

How much do you hate us right now? Feel free to take that hate to the comments.  ———————->

We will love you through the anger.

Dear Marcus,

Sometimes I like to write letters to you on the blog in hopes you may read them one day. Or maybe Sam will since he’s kind of an internet stalker (as evidenced here) and he’ll copy/paste this into an email to you.

I’ve been noticing a lot of buzz about you lately on the interwebs. The “Marcus Foster” Google Alerts have shot up considerably, and they aren’t even talking about that bad ass football player in Ohio that is sure to go Division 1 in college. It all started when you finally set that date. The date I’ve been waiting for for over a year now. The date of your Tumble Down EP release, which of course we all know is April 4. It’s on my calendar. No, really.

But the amount of buzz about this EP is ridiculous. Bloggers and music peeps are excited. They love that you are on the Communion label (as do we), and you are at the top of Timber and Steel’s list of artists on that label. The girls over at The Ruckus (whom we love) can’t believe how much you’ve grown musically in 2 years. I Like Music says the tracks are rich with languor and melancholic life and it sounds like you’ve been doing this forever. Stereoboard says this EP is hugely-anticipated and you are one of the most exciting singer/songwriters in the UK.

I can’t believe it’s been only a year and a half that LiLi and I showed up to a pub in downtown Dallas and got to experience your brilliance in person for the first time. Heck it was your first time in the states. We all had our first times together. That’s not creepy at all to say, is it? Nah.

It’s also been a little over a year since I got that full on, uninitiated hug. And I am so stoked to see that everyone else is starting to recognize and jump on board with LiLi and I on the Camp Foster wagon.

And the songs you picked for this bad boy, seriously, bomb. Shadows Of The City, Tumble Down (a SIX minute version, y’all), Demons and You Send Me? Uh, whoa. You’ve blown me away. Again.

It’s like you are almost there. You are on the cusp of something huge. And I just one more thing before you break out into big time. One teeny tiny favor?

I need just one more hug, of the “uninitiated by me” kind of course. And it really needs to be border line bear hug-y. In fact, one for me and one for LiLi. Cause we decided you give the best ones and we are afraid you are gonna get too big before you make it back to the states for us to get just one more.

Can you do that for us? I’ll promise to be drunk and LiLi will wear her granny panties if it helps.

Love,

Amber xoxo (cause that what I’m supposed to do when I write a note to someone British, right?)

P.S. Oh, and Marcus. Don’t act all shy and adorable like you don’t deserve all these accolades. Cause srsly, you kill me every time when you do that. And you SO deserve every one of them!

P.P.S. Sometimes I fangirl and record it with Audioboo. So when I heard the new Shadows of the City track, I did just that. Enjoy. LiLi told me I sound smexy and sultry. I’m thinking no. I’ll let you decide.

Amber’s Reaction Boo to Sort of New Marcus Song

features

Brooke Fraser

Well, in case you didn’t hear… LiLi and I got sold out on the Sam show in Dallas.  It seemed kind of crazy, until LiLi did some investigation and realized the sold out tickets were most likely Sam’s headlining lady, Brooke Fraser’s fault. We were pretty sure it’s because she’s a babe. But now after EVEN MORE investigation, I’m realizing that the real reason is probably because she is amazeballs!

I present to you… Exhibit A!

Or if you just want the tune minus the video, cause you are at work and watching the vid may make it too obvious that you aren’t really working, here is an mp3 for you!

Brooke Fraser — Something In The Water

Or how about Exhibit B? I love this video!

Crap. Now I’m doubly sad we got sold out on the show because Brooke is the bee’s knees. I want to see her in concert too. Super sad panda.

Here’s a little bit more info on Brooke for you.

New Zealand-born singer and songwriter Brooke Fraser will release her third album, Flags, on October 12 on Wood and Bone Records.  The new record was recorded in Los Angeles at EastWest Studios and was produced by the artist. A full U.S. tour has been announced for November and December.

Flags is a dreamy, alternative-pop collection that showcases her agile soprano, lilting melodies, and knack for telling her stories through the lives of vibrant characters. “I’ve never used as many characters or as much narrative in my songwriting as I have on this record,” Fraser says. The album also features a co-written duet with Aqualung’s Matt Hales, titled “Who Are We Fooling?”

In 2002, when she was 18, Fraser signed with Sony Music and moved to Auckland where she played regularly at local venues while she wrote the songs that would appear on her debut album, What To Do With Daylight. That album, released in New Zealand in 2003, debuted at No. 1 and achieved gold status the same week. It eventually went eight times platinum, selling more than 120,000 copies in New Zealand alone, and remained in the Top 10 on the album charts for more than a year. The album spawned five Top 20 singles and made Fraser a star in her home country, leading to 2004 tours of Australia and New Zealand with John Mayer and David Bowie.

In 2005, Brooke took a trip to Rwanda, 11 years after a genocide that claimed the lives of nearly one million people. During the journey, she met and befriended a number of Rwandans who entrusted their stories to her, including an orphan named Albertine, the namesake of her second album, which was released in the U.S. in May 2008. After being featured on the iTunes homepage as an “Editor’s Choice” selection, Albertine entered the Billboard Top 100 chart and climbed to No. 5 on the digital retailer’s U.S. album chart. Fraser toured the States that fall, winning over audiences with her dry wit and warm stage presence.

So, while you are all clammoring to get to your respective Sam shows (cause you were smart and already bought your tickets while LiLi and I waited an extra day), be sure to stick around and catch Brooke. It will be worth your time!

Catch even more goodies from Brooke Fraser on her Official Webpage, Twitter and, of course, MySpace! And you see she has a new album coming out, right? Don’t miss it!

What is it about a man, his guitar, and a field... ::le sigh::

Andrew Soloman

AND if you can make Andrew’s first show our in sunny California, SAMaM Global is gonna make the pot just a wee bit sweeter for you! The first 20 fans to buy a $5.00 advance ticket get a free autographed “Tides” CD!

Sweet, right? Just email ahartman@samamglobal.com to purchase. Here is the cool flyer and deets for the show:

featuring Matt Pond PA!

This week, we chose Matt Pond PA as our featured band. And we didn’t just pick them for this picture that makes me think we should all be a little worried, or that are the most brilliant band I know! I mean, seriously, who has an axe?!? These guys!

Many of you are going to be seeing these dudes up close and personal very soon, since Bobby Long will be supporting them on their tour starting in May.

From their Facebook page:

From a cabin in the woods outside of Bearsville, NY–where there’s nothing much to do but watch the grass grow up with the coyotes, deer, turkeys, and yes, bears–Matt Pond let go of all those studio entanglements and hacked off a piece of his own fate. Trusting in the flicker at the end of the tunnel, he gives us The Dark Leaves, due April 13th 2010.

In this era of technological advancements, it’s remarkable that something can be repaired the old-fashioned way — dismantling the gears to put it all back together again. After almost giving up on the world outside the woods, Matt Pond, with the invaluable aid of Chris Hansen (engineer, co-producer), returns with The Dark Leaves. It’s a record about surrendering and not, about being done with darkness and having something to sing about it.

Also available from these cabin sessions are the digital, nine-song EP Auri Sacra Fames (currently available exclusively online) and coming soon is “The Threeep,” a set of three 7″, three-song singles with as many songs each (three A-Sides, three Instrumentals, three B-Sides), which conveniently clip together into a cube. Contributing to these sessions are Eve Miller on cello, Christian Frederickson on viola and Dan Crowell on drums. The first installment of the limited-edition vinyl series is available for purchase HERE and on iTunes, with the final two being released in early 2010.

“Starting,” the first single from the “The Threeep,” features the following tracks:

Side A: “Starting” (from The Dark Leaves)
Side B: “Stopping” (non-album track)
Side B: “The Colour Out Of Space” (non-album track)

Personally, this song stuck out the most for me. Why? First, the kick ass video looks like it came from an era of time when all videos were kick ass… the 80s! Being transported back to my childhood FTW! And secondly, come on! This could be LiLi and I’s theme song! For reals.

Of course, these guys got all the social media stuff going on! Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and their very own website! And most importantly, get on over to the tour page and get your tickets! A great opener and a great headliner?! How did we get so lucky?!?

Elizabeth & the Catapult

Source: MySpace.com

If you got out to see Sam on his concert tour this past fall, then you may have already heard (and fell in love with) Elizabeth & the Catapult. I know both LiLi and I did. They are truly an amazing live act to see!

The songs are catchy and fun to sing along with, and if you don’t make Momma’s Boy your official girl anthem, something may be wrong with you. The CD Taller Children has had some prime time in my CD player in my car, and I pretty much got every song memorized. Plus, look at that picture. Is Elizabeth not cute as a button?!?

And it wasn’t just by chance that we choose Elizabeth and the Catapult to be the first band in our new feature, Mix Tape Monday. Today they also released a music video for one of my (and LiLi’s) fave songs on the album, “Race You.”

Watch it and love it, after the jump! (Video autostarts)

From MySpace.com…

The title of Elizabeth and the Catapult’s Verve Forecast debut album Taller Children reflects the unique blend of pop playfulness and grown-up introspection that defines Ziman’s distinctive songwriting. Such memorable originals as “Rainiest Day of Summer,” “Apathy,” “The Hang Up” and “Hit the Wall” embody a vibrant mix of open-hearted wonder, whimsical humor and forthright emotional insight, merging classic pop melodicism with an array of acoustic textures, jazz twists and orchestral flourishes.

The quality of the songs—including a memorable reading of the Leonard Cohen classic “Everybody Knows” —is matched by intimate, effortlessly soulful performances by the Brooklyn trio, which also includes guitarist Pete Lalish and drummer Danny Molad.

Although the bulk of Taller Children was recorded with producer Mike Mogis (noted for his work with the likes of Bright Eyes, M. Ward and Rilo Kiley), several of the album’s performances were drawn from the homespun demos that the band recorded in drummer Molad’s home studio. The resulting album strikes a vital balance between lush sophistication (with such elements as Ziman’s elegant string arrangements) and spare, unadorned simplicity.

The qualities that make Taller Children such a refreshing surprise have already made Elizabeth and the Catapult a beloved favorite on New York’s downtown club scene, where the threesome’s winsome tunes and energetic, surprise-filled live shows have won them a large and devoted local fan base.

Elizabeth’s warmly personal songs reflect the diverse influences of her lifelong pursuit of music. She grew up in New York’s Greenwich Village, just down the street from the Cafe Wha? and the Fat Black Pussycat, where her future heroes Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell got their start.

Elizabeth and the Catapult are on MySpace, Twitter and you can buy their album Taller Children on iTunes and Amazon.

What are Mix Tape Mondays?

We love Sam, Bobby and Marcus as much as all of you, but sometimes we need some other tunes to play in between the Brit Boy awesomeness. Mix Tape Mondays are when LiLi and I will feature some of our fave lesser known (aka indie) groups, music that is definitely worth being on your “mix tape” with the guys! Pretty soon, we will have an entire page dedicated to the groups we feature, but in the mean time we’d love to take your suggestions on artists you think we need to check out. Send any suggestions (as well as a link to their MySpace page or some other page where we can hear some tunes) to LiLi and I at shackofsoul@hotmail.com. Remember, we’d like to keep this peeps that are up and coming, so unsigned or artists signed to Indie labels are preferred.

Take a moment in the comments and let us know what you think of Elizabeth &  the Catapult. Did you see them on the tour, or are you listening for the first time today? What do you think of the video? It’s not unusual for our featured artists to make an appearance on the site, so be sure to say hi!

First up… Marcus… 2009, through your eyes!

Thanks to all the contributors!

Beth (@mtn_lioness)

Isabelle (@Isabelle29)

Jen Cokeley (@GarnetGurl)

Angie (@pangeforprez)

And, of course, LiLi and I!

Videos for Bobby and Sam will be going up the next few days!! Be sure to come back and check them out!