sam bisbee (vehicle) -- bio

Introducing Sam Bisbee, the brand new, grizzled, wide-eyed, ten-years-in-the- making, overnight, veteran newcomer whose Vehicle has finally arrived.

Sam spent the 1990's moving from development deal to development deal (Geffen, EMI, BMG all financed demos) and ultimately managed to make one album with his band Bisbee (Snacks, 1996, Plump Records) before plunging back into the life-force consuming task of making MORE DEMOS. After a couple of years decompressing, Sam awoke to the realization that he never wanted to make a DEMO ever again. So he called up some friends (engineers, producers, musicians...) and made this, his debut solo album. “It just happened," says Sam. "And it is the album I've always wanted to make. I made it in a bubble. No A & R personell within a 5 block radius. No mention of taking things to 'the next level'. Just music. Pure and simple. For music's sake."

Luckily for Sam, the 'friends' he called (all of whom contributed their talents for next to nothing) were not your average friends. Pete Keppler was in the middle of engineering David Bowie's upcoming release when he received a call from Sam. Leona Naess was working on the follow up to her critically acclaimed freshman release on MCA when she heard Sam's voice on the answering machine. Charlie Drayton (Neil Young, B-52's, Keith Richards, Iggy Pop..) was playing an all-star gig with Mike Campbell (Tom Petty) when Sam's email scrolled across his cellphone screen. Peter Adams had just come off the road with Tracy Bonham and was on the way to Boston to back up Juliana Hatfield and Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo) when he ran into Sam on the street. John Wolfington was about to go to Europe to promote his freshman release on Sonic Youth's Smellslike Records but Sam insisted he bring his guitar and pedal box to the studio. Scott Jacoby, bleary eyed from an all-night session working on a J-Lo remix, couldn't say no. Philip Glass’s legendary Looking Glass Studios opened up the doors of Studio B for a price that had Sam wondering how they paid the utility bills every month. Steve Addabbo let Sam use his Shelter Island Sound's storied recording room for free during down-time. Dave Wike and Dan Green, Sam’s core rhythym section, were by his side through it all.

It took 10 months. Sometimes as long as 6 weeks would go by in-between times that the studios were available. Elation. Despair. Frustration. Catharsis. All the ingredients were there. Finally, the day came when Sam paid a visit to the final friend on his list, top mastering engineer Emily Lazar. As he spilled the 30 tapes onto her desk Emily thought (out loud): "This is gonna be a mess." But then she heard the music. "This was far and away the best thing Sam's ever done AND the best record we’ve had in here all year," Emily said. "We were blown away."

Now it's your turn. Here it is. Shrinkwrapped. It comes with a seatbelt. And it comes with a world that rushes by windows that you can roll down to let the wind blow back your hair. Take a listen and you'll see what we mean.

p.o. box 20572 Terrace Station NY NY 10011-0011 [email protected] www.sambisbee.com 917-951-7936 sam bisbee (vehicle) -- press here's some of what the press is saying about VEHICLE

From Billboard Magazine "Sam on the Move. Sam Bisbee is currently gathering critical praise for his self-made CD, Vehicle, which is marked by clever lyrics, crisp guitar-rock instrumentation, and subtle, yet insinuating hooks." - Bill Ribas

From New York Daily News "Sam Bisbee's solo debut is one of those rough little gems that is likely to get lost for a few months after its release. Then, about a year from now, after so many friends have told their friends about how great it is, those who appreciate smart, literate songwriting will agree that Vehicle is a gleaming sapphire of an album." – Issac Guzman

From Paper Magazine Online "Our favorite new New York City singer-songwriter… Vehicle reminds you what you liked about smoking cigarettes in public parks until three a.m., talking about what it all means with two or three of your best friends, staying up past the limits of all sense." – Jonathan Durbin

From the New York Post: "Catch Sam Bisbee… his latest, ‘Vehicle,’ is full of pleasant suprises.” - Mary Huhn

From Magnet Magazine: “By mid-morning, the alert cranium needs a solid pop fix. Sam Bisbee, Vehicle, aims straight for the jugular with sets of fully realized, grandiose tuneage.” – Fred Mills

From Amplifier Magazine: "Songs about cars, suburbia and love gone badly never sounded so fresh. Right from the first crisp drumbeats of 'Miracle Car' you can tell this record is the real deal." -

From TimeOut New York: "Sam Bisbee's CD Vehicle is a charmer… This guy deserves a chance.”

From The Boston Globe -- Calendar: "Critic's Tip: Bisbee is a newcomer in the Ron Sexsmith/Rufus Wainwright vein who writes wry pop songs that have a cerebral twist." - Steve Morse

From allmusicguide.com: "AMG EXPERT REVIEW (4 stars): "Vehicle portrays an artist in motion ...downright soulful ...emotionally honest songs (with) intoxicating arrangements ...a dexterous vocalist and accomplished songwriter." -Tom Semioli

From Music Connection Magazine: "Vehicle is a scenic ride and an even better listen.” - Dan Kimpel, SONGWORKS

From NYRock.com: “There's an immediate emotional impact from the dozen tunes here, an intimacy, an affinity, a mix of both new and familiar, and before I start blathering on with metaphors and analogies, let's keep it simple: the disc is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. …the feeling from the first spin of the disc is that of a classic in the making." - Bill Ribas, Street Beat

p.o. box 20572 London Terrace Station NY NY 10011-0011 [email protected] www.sambisbee.com 917-951-7936