Standing beside the emerging songwriting voices of the Pacific Northwest and of the New Orleans americana scene, Mr. Sam has carved his own corner of the genre. His writing focuses on the joys and virtues of living and loving, but not without recognizing the endurance and patience that is required to find it in an unforgiving world. On his sophomore album “Again! Again!,” Mr. Sam plays freely with this duality and what paths lie between – a shoulder to cry on, a cannonball on a hot summer day, the unknown warmth of a stranger.

Drawing influence from classic singer-songwriters and New Orleans R&B greats, he has also become a student of his contemporaries through his close collaborations with Dean Johnson, The Sons of Rainier, Sam Doores, Chris Acker, to name a few. Citing them as his biggest influences as a writer, Mr. Sam says “There is no better lesson in writing than to write, but the next best thing is to be there to hear the moment when a song becomes itself.”

Guided by his sometimes soothing, sometimes raucous baritone, Mr. Sam leads The People People in a lively, electrifying dance hall sound while maintaining an intimacy fit for a long late night drive. Recorded live to tape in the summer of 2023 on the shores of the Puget Sound at Unknown Studios in Anacortes, Washington, Mr. Sam & The People People have crafted an analog concoction of rousing vocal arrangements, bouncing pianos, razor sharp steel guitar, and grooving percussion all in service of the sounds of togetherness.

“Again! Again!” feels, all in all, akin to a long phone call with an old friend. A conversation where “how are you?” is more than a formality. Devin Champlin, songwriter for The Sons of Rainier and Mr. Sam’s longtime friend and collaborator offers this –

“On Again! Again! Mr Sam’s inner voice is out for all to hear, and it’s part pregame coach pep-talker, part puppy lover, part late night host, and all delivered with such playful care and loving sincerity, that I’m inclined to believe him. He’s lending us his own kind reminders that we’re OK, we’re going through it, and we’re not alone [...] Sam can turn guilt to kindness, get to know all the strangers, watch the stars and cry, knock on wood, and twirl his tail all he wants, but I don’t believe he’s getting out of this monkey business for one minute.”

PEOPLE PEOPLE!

PEOPLE PEOPLE!

Howe Pearson - Electric Guitar, Vocals

Ross Farbe - Lead Guitar on "Go Baby Go - Part One" Electric Guitar on "Ask," "Happily" and "You Are Kind," Vocals on "Happily"

Matt Bell - Steel Guitar on "Ask," "Oh Me Oh My" and "You Are Kind"

Recorded at Unknown Studios in Anacortes, WA by Nicholas Wilbur

Additional Recording by Ross Farbe in New Orleans, LA

Mixed by Nicholas Wilbur Mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk 2

All songs written by Mr. Sam Gelband and performed by Mr. Sam & The People People

Mr Sam Gelband - Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals

Gina Leslie - Bass, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar on "Go Baby Go - Part One" & "Now That I Know You"

Charlie Meyer - Drums, Percussion, Bass on "Go Baby Go - Part One"

Sam Doores - Piano, Vocals, Percussion, Drums on "Go Baby Go - Part One"

PRESS

  • “Go Baby Go (Part One)” is a tack-sharp Americana tune... with Gelband’s rough-around-the-edges-yet-soulful baritone guiding the arrangement’s current like a shepherd...Do yourself a favor: Open your heart as wide as it can and let “Go Baby Go (Part One)” take up some space there.

    • Matt Mitchell, Paste Magazine

  • “…it’s clear that Mr. Sam…is not hindered by limitations of genre. He simply writes to remind us of the happiness to be found in everyday moments and time with cherished loved ones: a joke with a neighbor, a sunny drive with the windows down.”

    — Glide Magazine

  • "...with his honeyed vocals tracing the outline of joyous moments and treasured memories that have gone by [...] It’s a breezy and sunny work of songcraft.

    - Under The Radar

  • ”If you ever feel your view on the world tends too far towards the cynical then a dose of Mr Sam & The People People could be the antidote [...] His songs contain much happiness, not through rose tinted glasses but in spite of all the world can throw at you."

    - Americana UK

  • “Gelband envisioned the band and album as a vehicle to celebrate love and joy – and succeeds wildly.”

    — American Highways