Well, well, well - I've been having so much fun I darn near forgot I ever had a blog to update! I don't know for whom an apology would be required - to tell the truth I doubt anyone ever reads these - but in case anyone stumbles across this bit either periodically, sporadically, or just to check if I'm alive (hello Mum!) I'm sorry it's been so long!

I don't know who it was that said "You can't have your cake and eat it" (*insert obligatory British Bake Off reference here*) but if I could elaborate/expand upon on the idea through my own experiences in the last year or so it would be to say that "It's probably not possible to have your whole cake and eat it, but you can have a bit of lots of cakes if you only eat smaller parts of the cakes, you'd also then still be able to have some of the bits of cake leftover..."  (Sam Eason, 2015) 

Hmm... maybe not as snappy or memorable but in a highly convoluted way, I'm trying to illustrate how, by not letting any of the areas of my life and music become too overwhelming, I've been able to be part of so many incredible things in both remits.

Working part time as a teacher in a Special School is my vocation; it's what I trained for and it's something I love. Being part time though allows me to spend quality time with my little boy on my days off - I have been able to watch him grow up during time I'd never have gotten back otherwise. On the day when he's at pre-school however, I am then able to work on songwriting and recording... bonus! Weekends are very much family and friends orientated (a massive focus) but we now get oppotunities to play at weddings on quite a few occasions through the year which is a whole other area of beautiful! I have met some truly wonderful people in the last couple of years through doing this, many who have become good friends. Playing at the weddings also mean I get to spend a couple of hours singing side-by-side with my incredibly talented and amazing wife - what could be better?!

I have also seemingly had a new lease of life with my original music of late (one review opening with "Everyone's favourite late bloomer, Sam Eason..."), releasing my first 'proper' EP through Circus City Records this year ('With Hope' - check iTunes). At the launch gig for the EP, I got to play the whole set with a full band for the first time too which was amazing. Through this time, I've had some incredible opportunities to play at local festivals and on local TV/Radio (thanks to Made In Bristol and the 'Introducing...' team at BBC Bristol) In between all this, I've also had the chance to have little musical adventures like 'BathSongs'. These last two paragraphs are by no means meant as a boast or self-promotion - merely a description of the amazing cakes I've been very fortunate to be nibbling at and a declaration of humble appreciation that I somehow have the opportunity to do so. Maybe it's also a slight justification for why it's taken me so long to update my blog, but I'll try not to leave it so long until the next time... definitely by C*****mas!

Before then, I will have found my way onto local BBC radio again (Sat 24th Oct, playing out our pre-recorded BBC Garden session); played at two more weddings and a birthday party; played two 3hr public gigs in Bristol (check 'live'); hopefully taught some incredible children a little bit about a lot of things; spent some quality time with my amazing family and friends and hopefully written and recorded another song or two for an exciting project in 2016!

I'm telling you, it's much more fun having lots of small plates spinning rather than trying to keep a couple of big wobbly platters in rotation!

​Sam x

Take 2*......
Well I have to say, that was musically one of the funnest (definitely a word) Summers in a looong time. So many highlights to name, but the first three that come to mind were: Playing Bristol Harbour Festival for the first time (and getting to ramble away on BBC Radio!), playing a set for the lush campers at Nibley Festival and my first ever gig in Bath at the beautiful Old Theatre Royal (with me ol' mucker Joe Probert). On the flipside, I have also been lucky enough to be involved in the weddings of some truly wonderous people in some stunning locations - every one has been special for us (so thanks so much to the people who asked us to share in it all!)

Ooh, also had our photoshoot with the incredible Oxana Mazur! That was beyond awesome too. Oh, and recording with Sam Baly at Dacoda Studios! Aww man, I don't know how I'll top all that..... Oh wait, yes I do! Supporting the phenomenal Winter Mountain at the Birdcage, Bristol!! Utterly in love with the stuff these boys produce, will be an honour to warm the stage for them on Nov 6th. Please come down, if only to see them!

As the wedding season winds down a little, there may be a few more gigs being added so please please check back at the live page and come say hey at some point! There will be a beardy hug with your name on it! (Or not, if you're not a hugger... that's also cool). Who knows, there could even be the odd new Sam Eason tune to keep you warm on the long cold evenings to come!

Anyway, as always, just wanted to let whoever wanders over these pages that I'm still here and still doing what I do! Thanks for reading you wonderous being you!

Just for fun... Currently listening to:
Ryan Adams - 'Ryan Adams'
Bastard Mountain - 'Farewell Bastard Mountain'
Volcano Choir - 'Repave'

(*Spent half an hour writing a blog post similar to the one above which miraculously vanished into the ether. I didn't write my name on the label so if you find it, please put it in the lost property box for someone else to find...)

...And that equals awesome. Well hello again you anonymous and quite possibly non-existent person! 
Just a very quick update to let you know about goings on in the furry world of Sam in the coming times. I'm sticking to my vow to play gigs by quality rather than quantity this year; a few appearances to detail for your reference...

Fri 28th Feb - Supporting Gaz Brookfield at The Exchange in Bristol - £7 cheaplist details here
Tues 22nd April - Sam Eason supporting Scott Matthews @ The Lantern, Bristol
Sun 4th May - Sam Eason @ Nunney Acoustic Cafe, Nunney (Frome) 
Fri 20th June - Sam Eason @ The Fleece, Bristol
Fri 4th July - Sam Eason @ Nibley Festival
There are a couple of possibilities that may crop up in between so I'll add them here if they do!

In terms of new Sam Eason material brewing, I have a song that is sort-of-finished but I'm not too happy with yet ['This Time'] that may or may not see the light of day (I need someone who has a bit more songwriting 'skillz' than me to take a look and perform some reconstructive surgery I think) but I do have one that I think I am happy with that I'm really hoping to debut at the Gaz Brookfield gig. It's tentatively called 'Storm (Teacup)' and will feature a dual Sam/Beth vocal. Sounding quite good at the moment, may post a demo up soon. 

In the meantime, I'm doing quite a few bits and bobs for some very lovely people for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries in the next few months which is filling my heart with a warm fuzzy feeling and a hope that I can actually add something nice to the occasions!

Speak soon, keep it stubbly xxx

In a turn up for the books, I've been hard at work lately, particularly on the music front! It has been a really enjoyable period full of meeting new people, playing new places and doing lots of new things.
I recently played the wedding reception of a beautiful couple, Ross and Lucy at The Bathwick Boatman, Bath. I was able to really take a tour through my repertoire as I had been asked to play for nearly 3 hours, across two sets. 

Due to Ross and Lucy having their formative years in the 90s, like myself, there was much common ground in our musical favourites. I hopefully catered for the wide age range that comes into play when the different generations come together for wonderful events like this. I came up with setlists that were able to travel from Don Williams to The Killers, via Bob Dylan and Adele, so hopefully all bases were covered! On what was (at that point) the hottest day of the year, it was an absolute pleasure to be in such a beautiful setting by the river, watching the boats swish past while being made to feel part of the family by Ross and Lucy's genuinely lovely crew. Oh, and as you can see from the photo, I even tried rocking the bow tie for the first time and was reasonably pleased I didn't look toooo silly! (Beth looked gorgeous as ever)

That day was not complete however and after the newlyweds were off on their boat trip, I was off for event number two to play at little miss Lauren Castle's birthday party in Hilperton. A blooming grand house party of the finest proportions with a groovy 60s theme; These Castles know how to host a party! Again, I found myself in the company of some great people, with an obvious skew towards a younger crowd I made sure to pepper a few more recent chart hits onto the set. Getting in my covers of 'Get Lucky' and 'Pompeii' as well as cracking out the 60s singalongs to fit the theme, I actually even got a request via YouTube for one of my own songs! I had such a lovely evening to cap off a beautiful day, with my throat only just about lasting the duration but a smile which lasted for days after!

Just got back from a flimmin' lush weekend celebrating the wedding of our very good friends Lindsey and Rich.

It was a day for business and pleasure though, as I was required for musical services both before/during the ceremony and for an evening set! It was an honour to be asked to play during the ceremony, especially to be involved at so many key points; both aisle walks, two solo songs (one with my wife) and during the signing of the register. The acoustics of the beautiful church made the task all the more pleasurable as the sound carried around fantastically, suiting the delicate songs the bride and groom had chosen. I hopefully did a good job, it felt like I had brought my A-Game and hopefully did them proud!

The evening set began in the same vein, mixing up a few modern and classic love songs to add some musical background to people's evening. All focus and attention was gained when it was time for the newlywed's first dance; Newton Faulkner's 'If This Is It', which I played in a more stripped back slower style to suit the slow dance the couple wanted to do. Once they had received their applause I hit em straight between the ears with a few dancier numbers which brought feet to the floor and voices raised in song before the playlist of evening music began and I could 'clock off'! I was then able to enjoy my first pint of the evening (around 9:30pm) to celebrate my birthday!!

The whole day flowed so nicely, with friends and family, old and new mingling, meeting and catching up with not a word wasted. There were too many wonderful aspects to the day, I can't list them all but I think most people would safely say that they didn't want the day to end. Sadly it did but the memories, for me at least, will last long into the years. Congratulations you lovely beards!!

Photo credit: Sally Waldegrave

Just got back from a business/pleasure wedding day of two great chums - Claire and Jon. First time of playing during the ceremony but all seemed well and beardy! Couple of straightforward lovey songs and a couple of adaptations of two less obvious tunes - Blink 182 and Arctic Monkeys :) Totally in keeping with the wonderous couple's style tho and enjoyed the challenge! Was a nice change playing at the deep end of the day and then having the chance to enjoy the rest of the celebrations with good friends. Congrats guys, thank you for letting me be part of it all!! :) xx