Despite a stagename that just can’t be taken seriously (a bit like his horse-riding in his Cry for Me video), Sam Outlaw seems to be winning a lot of hearts here in the UK. He picked up an International Album of the Year award at the 2017 UK Americana Awards for Angeleno which was produced by Ry Cooder and Joachim Cooder and The Guardian declared him as a real hope for a new California country. He has just announced a series of dates in support of his latest album Tenderheart (dates below) from which you can hear ‘Bottomless Mimosas’ below:
Tenderheart offers an extraordinary refinement of the artistic identity laid out on ‘Angeleno’. Sonically, the album elaborates on his “SoCal Country” sound: a sun-bleached, Baja-influenced twang that deftly points to country’s neo-traditionalists and LA’s legendary singer-songwriters. Thematically, ‘Tenderheart’ is a thesis on self-discovery and the power of love – from the cinematic mariachi-laced climax on opener “Everyone’s Looking For Home,” to the determined swagger on side-A highlight “Trouble,” to torch song showstopper “Diamond Ring” – Outlaw meditates on his own conflicted quest for peace amidst the chaos of his chosen path.
The 13-track collection of originals was recorded in the San Fernando Valley and co-produced by Outlaw alongside Martin Pradler. Outlaw enlisted many of the same musicians that made his first album, 2015’s ‘Angeleno,’ an undisputed breakthrough and one of the best-reviewed debuts of that year: harmony singer Molly Jenson, pedal steel pro Jeremy Long and guitarist Danny Garcia, along with Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes) and Bo Koster (My Morning Jacket). In addition, ‘Tenderheart’ features local mariachi group Erwin Vasquez and Mariachi Teocuitatlan.
‘Angeleno’ earned great reviews both in the UK and US, with The Guardian stating: “His debut LP is a polished and cosmopolitan west coast take on traditional country music (he’s called it ‘SoCal country’) with songs that are moody and wry all at once.” The Telegraph commented: “A very fine debut album from Californian singer-songwriter” and Maverick Magazine added: “A classic, fun and thought-provoking album which you will want to listen to again and again.”
Sam Outlaw UK Tour Dates
22-Jul Gateshead, The Sage Gateshead – SummerTyne
23-Jul London Canary Wharf, Nashville Meets London Music Festival
24-Jul Bristol The Tunnels
25-Jul Oxford, The Bullingdon
26-Jul Nottingham, The Glee
27-Jul Manchester, Gullivers
28-Jul Perth Southern Fried Festival – The Salutation Hotel