Samantha Marais

Influenced by her father’s passion for Bob Dylan and her brother’s love of the guitar, Samantha started playing guitar herself at the age of 8, and has been singing and writing songs ever since. Arriving in London in the late 90’s at the age of 20, Sam lost no time in forming her first band, Contraband, with her ex-boyfriend. After the band split she decided to pursue a solo career, returning to her folksy roots and favouring an acoustic guitar and simple, honest narrative songs.

Youth introduced Sam to Simon Tong, his partner in the fledgling Butterfly Recordings label and a fruitful writing partnership was formed. Both became strong and challenging influences on her, some of the results such as 'Falling Star' and the album’s title track can be seen on 'The Peppermint Conspiracy'.

As well as teaming up with Nick Hollywell-Walker (Killing Joke) and old Contraband member Benji Vaughan, Sam also continued writing on her own and in 2006 she was signed to Simon and Youth’s newly formed label, releasing her debut track 'Ordinary Man' on their 'Butterfly Acoustic Recordings Vol 1' compilation. 'Stunning', NME said of Sam's track, 'a sultry mix of alt. acoustics and ethereal vocals', whilst Q magazine described it as one of the stand out tracks of the compilation.

With many songs already complete, recording for ‘The Peppermint Conspiracy’ was finished in 2007, where it had all began - in Youth’s studio at the bottom of his garden.

In support of the album, Samantha's band, which includes David Knock / Paul May (Drums), Harry Escott (Cello), Daniel Orcese (Mandolin, Banjo), Simon Tong (Guitar / Banjo), and Nick Holywell-Walker (Harmonium/Melodica), will be playing a series of dates - to be announced - which will offer the UK the first chance to hear her music, which, as Youth says, "sends tingles up the spine".


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