For Victoria, B.C. based singer-songwriter Sam Weber, the road is just beginning with the announcement of his debut LP Shadows in the Road, set for release in early September.
A compilation of songs written over the past six years of touring and recording, 21-year-old Weber has created a collection of 13 original tracks conveying a powerful entanglement of emotion that encompasses the setbacks and uncertainties of life’s journey.
Weber is set to play in Red Deer at Fionn MacCool’s Aug. 29th and Aug. 30th.
Already an acclaimed guitarist and producer in western Canada, Weber is no stranger to the Canadian music scene, sharing the stage with the likes of The Tragically Hip, Current Swell, Stars and Sam Roberts.
“(Playing with those bands) doesn’t feel deserved. I feel too young to be included with those guys. But they are all overly cool, so it makes me feel good,” he said.
Weber’s musicality came at an early age as his dad and brother were involved in music as well.
“I have a very musical family and I played with my dad and brother when I was younger. Then I started teaching guitar when I was in music school and I have always stayed really active in music. Everything I do right now is pretty music-focused and I’m really stoked about it.”
In 2010, Weber was awarded a summer scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston where many Shadows in the Road tracks were inspired. After being offered a full-time scholarship, he decided to stay true to his craft and return home to Canada to pursue music on his own terms. Weber’s instinctive move led him to be featured in Guitar Player Magazine, becoming one of the youngest people to ever be covered in this esteemed magazine, at just 19-years-old.
Weber’s soulful and impassioned songwriting takes life throughout the album with songs such as Don’t Hurt and the opening track Shadows in the Road. The record’s feature track August lures fans in with an enduring love story paired with powerful drumbeats and Weber’s effortless vocals. Directed by Vancouver’s Lau Tin Pak and shot in a beautiful rustic black and white setting, fans are already raving about the heart-capturing video for August which recently premiered.
As for where he gets his inspiration for his music, especially for Shadows in the Road, Weber said it comes from his everyday experiences.
“I basically just write from my own perspective and things that are going on with me. I write in a pretty introverted kind of way and things that go on in the world kind of seep through into what I am writing about as well.”
Recently signed to Cordova Bay Records, Weber is getting ready to cast a shadow on the road in western Canada to celebrate the release of his debut record. Kicking off the tour in Victoria this tour will see Weber performing 16 dates throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C.
Weber added he loves being on tour and experiencing new things.
“You are hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t just love road tripping, so being on tour for me is a really nice working vacation and partying with your friends. It’s a lot of good times and a lot of fun with a lot of good people.”
As for being on stage, Weber said it’s an incredible feeling.
“It’s amazing how much the energy transfers. I go on stage and I hope people get stoked enough to really get my energy. If their energy level comes up then mine comes up. I’m always drawn to that excitement and I always want to find that.”
At the end of the day, Weber has truly found his passion and loves what he does.
“I can’t see myself doing anything else and it makes me really happy that I am able to it. It feels right.”