Sam Bradley: Strength in Diversity on Debut EP

Krista Richmond at The Advertiser gives a great review to Sam’s first EP release.  I have to say I agree after listening to my copy of the EP I can’t wait to hear more .  Sam did a fantastic job on this! If you haven’t gotten your copy yet head on over to www.sambradley.com and grab you one.  You won’t regret it!

Sam Bradley finds strength in diversity on debut EP

by Krista Richmond
krichmond@theadvertiser.com

Sam Bradley is a man of contradictions, humble and confident at the same time. And his self-titled EP is a showcase of how a cacophony of sounds and sentiments can, in fact, be soothing and melodic.

Bradley’s voice is certainly the focus of the EP, which is available at www.sambradley.com for $10. It rings clear, strong and smooth on all of the tracks, sensual and silky in places and rough and raw with emotion in others. And I like that there are times when his British accent sneaks into the melody.

The music that accompanies Bradley’s lyrics is just that — an accompaniment. It stands firmly on its own but never competes with what’s being said. Instead, it serves as a solid background for the words and phrases.

Once again, listeners can feel Bradley’s contradictions in the beat. Some songs have a distinct jazz vibe while others are pure rock ‘n’ roll. Some are completely laid back and relaxed while others have a frenzied, almost chaotic, sound. But the combination never feels erratic. There is a natural, acoustic feel that grounds the album despite the fact that it is far from simply Bradley and his guitar. Even the heaviest of the songs don’t feel drowned out by the music.

That allows listeners to truly hear the lyrics. And with a gifted songwriter like Bradley, you want to know what’s being said. He tells stories in his songs, putting sound to his poetic and often intriguing phrases. They are full of observations on life and love and everything in between.

The EP opens with Sea Blue, which meanders gently into the next song, like a long walk on the beach with waves slowly bubbling over your toes.

Pretty Boy is reminiscent of songs by the Eagles, blurring the line between country and rock with soft yet strong beats that seem to stretch into the expanse of a dark desert highway.

Passport feels like it was made for a Wild West saloon, with a fun tinkling of the piano keys that could be the soundtrack to any silent film.

It Begins starts with shades of David Bowie and an almost-but-not-quite synthesized tone and ends with beautiful orchestration.

There are six songs on this EP, and it is well worth the $10 price. But it leaves listeners wanting more — a full complement of songs and stories rather than verses and chapters. And to hear more, you can go to Bradley’s MySpace page (www.myspace.com/sambradley06) and listen to several additional demos that aren’t on the EP (Wide Open, Too Far Gone and She Moves Me). You won’t regret it).

I also can’t help but wonder — who is the Pretty Boy with a python stare, covered with unhappiness and threatened by his loneliness?

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Marcus Foster: Interview and Photoshoot

Cause=Time sat down with Marcus Foster in early August to talk music.  Photographer Todd Roeth joined with them and we have this fantastic shoot of Marcus.

C=T & photographer extraordinaire Todd Roeth have teamed up again for another addition of Quick Hits. This week, we have caught up with UK singer-songwriter, Marcus Foster. The solo artist is touring behind a a live album and EP. Not to mention appearing on two different soundtracks and having a heartthrob for a bff (my wife thinks he’s pretty dreamy). Needless to say, the guy is very busy and most earnest singer songwriter touring the circuit.

C=T : How’s the tour going so far? Did you visit In and Out or Amoeba whilst in Los Angeles?

MF: The tour seems to be going well, people are enjoying the shows, its amazing traveling around and a great way seeing America. I didn’t get the chance to visit In and Out burger although someone gave me a voucher for it but i did get to go to Amoeba which was insane I spent hundreds of dollars in there buying old blues and gospel records from the fifties I could live in that place.

C=T : Best Bob Dylan album to listen to on vinyl?

MF: I haven’t got them all on vinyl just yet but listening to ‘Boots of Spanish Leather’ or ‘One too many Mornings’ off the ‘Times they are a changing’ album is pretty special.

C=T : Your music has been selected on two different occasions to appear in cinema. How do you decide if you want your work to appear in said works?

MF: One of the films had Christopher Walken in it and I’m a big fan of his so I couldn’t say no and it’s a great movie called ‘Five Dollars A Day’. The other film was different because a friend of mine sung the song that I wrote and I didn’t know he recorded it but when I found out I thought why not.I would like to do some more music for film, I like the idea of doing something like Neil Young in that film ‘Dead Man’ where he just watched the film and played his guitar. I also write a lot of instrumental stuff on the piano.

C=T : Who would smoke more cigarettes in one night, Nick Cave or Tom Waits?

MF: In his time of smoking, Tom Waits.

C=T : What are your current recording plans for the rest of the year?

MF: When I get back to London I’m going to put together a band and record some live stuff and maybe cut an album if i find the right musicians or maybe put out a single on itunes I’m not sure. I also plan on returning back to America to do another tour in December if i can work it out.

C=T : Does the English team stand a chance in next year’s World Cup?

MF: There’s nothing like a room full of people filled with false hope.

Here’s two songs of Marcus’s that were featured with the article

Sam Bradley: EP Release, Thanks to Rob and Official Music Video

Sam Bradley’s new EP will be released in a mere matter of hours and fans are eagerly awaiting it’s release. Those lucky enough to have purchased the dropcards can get a sneak peek on Sam’s website http://www.sambradley.com/dropcards/ and for the others be patient it will soon be up on http://www.sambradley.com/.  Until then here’s the official music video for Sea Blue.  That was released on the 24th.   Here’s what Sam had to say at the time of release “Zack Spiger and I made this with no budget and few materials and we had an amazing time doing it!”

Sam also gives thanks to many people for his EP including Robert.  Here’s a cap of it below.

Video: Kristen and Taylor behind the Scenes of EW Shoot

ET goes behind the scenes for EW photoshoot September 2009 issue with Kristen and Taylor.

Thanks to KStew411 for the link

Sam Bradley in New York

Thanks to Isabelle for sending in these pictures from her visit to New York and Sam’s concert at Joe’s Pub! Not to mention the great surprise her friend had for her.

I had an amazing time in New York! Sam’s show was absolutely fantastic! It was all acoustic and let me tell you that the man has a heck of a voice!We were treated to a few new songs, one of which is a new favorite of mine. I was so mesmerized that I didn’t take any pics during the show but I did take a couple after. Speaking of after, I nearly fell on my butt…Sam just looked at me and my friend smiling before saying what I’ll remember for a long time. “You’re from Montreal, I remember you!” He then gave me and my friend a huge hug (and he smells really good FYI lol). We talked for a little while before giving the chance to other fans to talk to him. Me, being me, forgot to tell him something and went back in to steal another few minutes where I got another hug and a kiss on the cheek. Before leaving, Sam told me he’d see me again in October for a show right here in Montreal. Yeah, I’ll remember that night for a while!

Last night, my friend took me to dinner at Planet Hollywood in Times Square and I’m sure she thought I was going to have a heart attack. See, she knew there was a Twilight display and she wanted to surprise me. Surprise me she did, had the whole restaurant stare at me as I squealed at Edward’s Prom suit. Bah, was a complete fangirl all weekend and it felt good!

I included a few pics of Sam, the Twilight display and the Twi related things I bought while there and no, I won’t eat the chocolates!

Here are a few videos of Sam’s appearance at Joe’s Pub.

Eclipse Cast heads to Vancouver

Bauer-Griffin has spotted several members of the Eclipse Cast heading  to Vancouver.  You can check out more pics at the BG Site.

Oh we are getting excited for a new round of Vancouver-based Vampire Mania!!!

Last night, a large chunk of the Eclipse cast flew out of LAX en route to Canadlialand where filming on the third installment of the Twilight Saga is about to get under way.

In addition to newcomer Xavier Samuels, we spotted Victoria v. 2.0 Bryce Dallas Howard and returning cast members Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, and Elizabeth Reaser.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the fine piece of man candy Nikki has brought along for the trip.  That is the best kind of carry-on. Shocked and appalled by our own slip up.  We’re easily distracted by flashy sunglasses.  Paris Latsis.  *shudder*  We’ll be over here, repenting.

Just a note Punk-d Images has tweeted new pics will be posted tomorrow of Ashley and Elizabeth out and about in Vancouver.

You can also catch images of Peter and Kristen preparing for the trip here and more of everyone here then Charlie Bewley arriving here. (All these links lead to Lainey)

Entertainment Weekly: Bella’s Birthday Dress One-of-a-kind

Want to buy Bella’s Birthday dress? You’re out of luck because this creation was one of a kind.  According to this weeks issue of Entertainment Weekly, costume designer Tish Monaghan custom-made the ensemble for the scene.

“It was supposed to be a gift from Alice, so I wanted something pretty that Alice would buy, but also something vintage [looking] that would be appropriate for Bella.  We dressed it down with sneakers to keep the Bella flavor.’

Sam Bradley: Fan’s account of Virgin FF Show and Upcoming Album!

RPU Reader and Contributor Isabelle was one lucky lady last night.  She attended Sam’s Show at the Virgin FF in Montreal Quebec.   Then to top the night off — she got to meet the man himself.  Here’s her pics and details from the night.  Oh and there’s a little scoop in there about an upcoming album.  Thanks Isabelle!

Just wanted to let you know that everything went great! Sam is great in concert. A few funny moments though. First, when he got on the stage, people politely applauded since he’s an unknown here. I screamed “Go, Sam!” and I swear the poor man blushed. Then, he says it’s his last song and I yelled “SoHo”, which surprised him again lol. He did his planned song then nodded to his bandmates and I then heard the opening of SoHo Whores. I was in heaven!!

Then, at the autograph session, my friend thought it would be nice to remind him I was THAT girl that screamed lol. He just smiled and said “I know”. My turn to blush. We talked a bit about his music and fyi, an album is coming out in 2 weeks but will only be available during concerts. Bit of a scoop here from the mouth of Sam Bradley himself.

So, I’ll probably see him again in August in NYC and he told me to come and say hi after the show. Said he’d remember me and that he’d see me later.

He did sing “Too far gone” and I have to say something that’ll strike you funny. Here was this girl, waiting for Simple Plan, with a Twilight shirt on and she kept asking who the guy on the stage was. I waited until the end of the show and told her she had just seen the guy that co-wrote ”Never Think” with Rob. Thought she was going to faint!!

Peter wins Twitter Bet!

After a week long push from the Facinelli Fans, Peter claims victory in his Twitter bet with friend Rob DeFranco.   Since Peter has gained more than 500,000 followers Rob will entertain us with his version of Beyonce’s “All the Single Ladies.”  — Oh and he’ll do it while dancing down Hollywood Blvd.  — in a bikini!  Sweet Success! Here’s the video Peter has put out thanking everyone and giving details.

Marcus Foster to hang with Rob in NY

Marcus Foster took a moment to sit down with Radar Online and discuss his upcoming projects and his planned visit to New York and Rob.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Rob Pattinson’s Best Friend On Hangin’ With RPattz

In an exclusive interview with RadarOnline.com singer/song writer Marcus Foster opens up about his upcoming American shows, how he’d like to tour with Rob Pattinson, and more importantly jokes about his obvious love for his vampire best friend! Twilight fans know that Marcus and Bobby Long co-authored the song Let Me Sign which Rob performed on the movie soundtrack, and that Marcus is part of the Brit Pack, those scruffy haired hot British guys who make up the inner circle in RPattz’s life.

The musician tells RadarOnline.com that he almost cut off his thumb on Wednesday night: “I was just making something in the workshop and my thumb went through this machine called a band saw, and it nearly took my thumb off. I’ve got a sculpture show I’m working on this week; I’m making some things for that.  It’s ok, it’s fine I didn’t need stitches or anything and it will heal but it just means I’m going to have to cancel this show I’m doing on Sunday.  I’ve got to cancel it today. I could do it, but I can’t take the risk of a long term injury.” We were first concerned about blood everywhere, and Marcus bravely says “Yes, it was quite horrific but it’s alright. It’s only pain,” but we were clearly concerned with Edward trying to kill him for his blood.  “Yeah, well, I don’t think he is a vampire,” the musician sagely tells us. “That is just a movie.  Although, maybe he was, that’s how he got the part!”  As for being best friends with the star, Marcus gets perks that regular folks don’t get.  “Rob’s showed me a bit of the script, I think it’s the beginning where she cuts her thumb,” he says, referring to Bella’s birthday scene where she cuts her finger.  So we want to know, was he just reenacting that scene?  “Oh yeah, my life is just reenacting Twilight scenes. It’s mad!” he jokes.

Before he kicks off his American tour, Marcus tells RadarOnline.com that he’s “going to New York as well in a couple of weeks to see my friend Rob which will be nice.” He doesn’t know if he’ll be hanging on set with Rob, but it sounds like they’re just going to lay low.  “We’re just going to chill out I think, I haven’t seen him for a while.”  Marcus didn’t know about the craziness that is Rob’s life since he’s been in New York so when we told him about his buddy he said “Really? Wow, that’s so weird. Well, we’ll probably just stay inside the apartment and just drink, heavily.”  As for the fame that’s come to the stars, Marcus hasn’t seen a change in Rob.  “Whenever I see him he’s the same, which is great.  You know, you see people who fame changes, but it’s great, Rob is still the same old guy so it’s really nice. “

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