Samantha Crain

Singer-songwriter, contemporary folk, Americana

Samantha Crain's songwriting has almost certainly been influenced by the great story-songwriters of Texas and farther west, like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and even Woody Guthrie. Borne of the newly, interestingly vibrant Oklahoma music scene, Crain's fans may be interested in some of her peers from around that state's capital - the Flaming Lips, JD McPherson, John Fullbright, John Calvin, and Parker Millsap spring to mind. Though she still lives in Oklahoma, there's a certain gritty quality to Crain's music which could fit well in the music of scenes like Seattle and Brooklyn. Fans of the Head and the Heart, the Cave Singers, and Brooklyn's Sweetback Sisters would appreciate Crain's take on modern folk and Americana music.

Samantha Crain - guitar, vocals
Anne Lillis - drums
Penny Hill - bass

Formerly, Crain played with a backing band called the Midnight Shivers, which included Jacob Edwards, Andrew Tanz, and Stephen Sebastian, as well as a rotating lineup of other folks who would sit in from time to time.

You (Understood) (Ramseur Records, 2010) compare prices

The Confiscation EP with the Midnight Shivers (Ramseur Records, 2007) compare prices

Songs in the Night with the Midnight Shivers (Ramseur Records, 2009) compare prices

"Santa Fe" (from You (Understood))
"Songs in the Night" (with the Midnight Shivers, from Songs in the Night)
"Never Going Back" (from Kid Face)

Samantha Crain was born in August, 1986, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where she also grew up and attended school. Early on, she was heavily influenced by her father's album collection, before discovering the rich history of local music. Still, she continued to mostly consider herself a fiction writer as she registered for college at the Oklahoma Baptist University and signed up as an English Literature major. There, she delved into the task of seriously becoming a writer and storyteller. It was a songwriting retreat, however, which finally raised her interest in becoming a musician.

The retreat migrated her all the way to New England, where she communed with other songwriters and learned how to apply her fiction writing skills to the development of a musical craft. By the time she came home from that retreat, she had a handful of songs to perform at local open mics and other gigs, and decided to take some time away from school to explore her new interest. She recorded an EP titled The Confiscation EP, which caught the attention of North Carolina-based indie label Ramseur Records. Known for launching the careers of the Avett Brothers and the everybodyfields, among others, Ramseur inked a deal with Crain and reissued her debut EP in 2007.

From there, Crain's tour schedule lit up, with spots at some of the finest festivals and clubs in the country - from Bonnaroo to Pickathon, Music City Roots, and beyond. Her music has since caught the attention of the folk and Americana press, from No Depression to Paste and NPR. She's toured with new folk darlings like Justin Townes Earle, the Avetss, Langhorne Slim, Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, Ben Kweller, Sara Watkins, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Fronteir Ruckus, First Aid Kit, William Elliott Whitmore, and others.

She eventually parted with her band the Midnight Shivers and began touring with an all-girl band featuring fellow singer-songwriter Penny Hill (to whom Crain has lent her own skills in the past). Then, in 2013, Crain released her third full-length studio album on Ramseur Records, titled Kid Face (purchase/download) to remarkably positive reviews and an exclusive premier on the website for SPIN magazine for lead single "Never Going Back". Crain tours frequently - for a full list of tour dates, check her website at SamanthaCrain.com.