Samantha Martin
"You might not know it yet, but Samantha Martin is a rock star, she'll tear your heart out one note at a time." Serena Ryder
If Mavis Staples and The Black Keys had a child, and Sharon Jones were the auntie, it would sound like Samantha Martin. Samantha Martin has released one solo album, one full band album, self titled, "Samantha Martin and The Haggard" and performed across Canada.
As an artist, she continues to refine her craft. The latest incarnation, a gospel infused blues and soul formation, results in "gorgeous three part harmonies and distinct guitar tones" (Exclaim, Feb. 2014). Martin is set to release a live EP April 15, 2014 titled, "Mississippi Sun". She continues to work on her next full length album due out in early 2015. The music is reminiscent of The Staples Singers or Sharon Jones - its soulful, gospel, blues. Samantha's voice is huge, she is not. Spring of 2014 also sees Ms. Martin take her music further geographically with her first German tour and a jam packed Summer tour of Canada (See dates below).
June 16th - The Dakota Tavern - Toronto, ONSunday June 29th - Harbour Nights - Owen Sound, ON
July 3rd - The Cameron House - Toronto, ON(with Kim Wempe!)
July 11-13th - Winnipeg Folk Fest - Winnipeg, MB
July 15th - House Concert - Cedar,BC
July 17th - The Dream Cafe - Penticton,BC
July 18-20th - Vancouver Folk Fest - Vancouver,BC
July 25-27th - Hillside - Guelph,ON
Aug 8-10th - Trout Forest Music Fest - near Kenora, ON
Aug 12th - The Times Change(d) - Winnipeg, MB (with Sweet Alibi!)
Aug. 13th - TBA - Kenora, ON
Aug 15-17th - Salmon Arm Roots n' Blues Fest - Salmon Arm, BC
"The first thing that hits you is the voice. Samantha Martin's is a force of nature, one of those voices that grabs you by the throat while causing the hairs on the back of your neck to tingle. The likes of her friend Serena Ryder and Janis Joplin as reference points." Kerry Doole - Exclaim! (Mar. 2012)
"I'd call her a powerhouse" Jenna Roebuck - Dawson City Music Festival (2013)
"Martin and Co. were a nice build up to the evening headliners Alabama Shakes, with a simmering mix of gospel and soul, and her big, beautiful voice the wick that lit it off" - Mike Bell | Calgary Herald (2013)
ESSENTIAL TRACKS - THE GLOBE AND MAIL
"Recalling Bonnie Raitt’s island-grooved version of an old Gerry Rafferty hit, the equally soul-throated Martin lilts sandy-like on a Tom Paxton folk-classic – a love song, right down the line." Brad Wheeler - Globe and Mail
"Interesting that she's coming up at the same time as Etta James has (sadly) passed. Samantha Martin has a voice that stops people in their tracks. Those are rare." - Luke Doucet/Whitehorse
"Samantha Martin has the kind of growl that whups my ass and gets my heart pumpin" Oh Susanna
"Samantha Martin has soul. Its obvious from the moment the rural Ontario hometown girl opens her mouth. When she's belting out country - tinged blues numbers with her band, The Haggard..its apparent Martin has the music of years-gone-by coursing through her veins" Ty Tremble/band of the week/ Post City
"Absolutely one of my favorite singers. A voice dripping with character, tone and raw power."-Colin Cripps
