About
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Photo Credit: Alphapix.
Hawkes Bay Sports Awards 2013
QUEEN STREET ACOUSTICS
Click here to read Media Release, and here for Album Review by Graham Reid – Elsewhere
Buy direct from Sam RB on Queen St or email samrb@vodafone.co.nz ($20 + free P&P within NZ). Also available on iTunes
Sam RB is a full time singer-songwriter and musician with two albums and the NZ Olympic Song to her name.
Early in life, Sam RB was draw to songwriting in an attempt to make sense of the world. On leaving school she was forced to step back from her music. While she continued to write, songs came alive behind closed doors and were seldom shared. It took 21 years for Sam RB to find her way back to the music, the catalyst being her debut album ‘Seems I Might Be Human’.
Following its release in late 2010, she found herself on Queen Street busking to cover some of the post production costs. Unexpectedly finding a place her music was accepted, Sam RB has continued busking and now funded and self released her second album, ‘Queen Street Acoustics’. She says,
“Every person that has bought my debut album, coined or simply smiled as they walked past – you have supported my work and made this 2nd album possible. Heartfelt thanks to you all, you make it possible for me to dream”
‘Queen Street Acoustics’ was developed on Queen Street and captures the wonderful and life-changing transition, from being house-bound to performing live hundreds of times every year on the streets of Auckland.
Queen Street Acoustics
There are 14 tracks on the album and four of them are co-written,” Sam says. “Two tracks had lyrics written by Mike Chunn (Split Enz) and two by US songwriter Jemi Blue, and I absolutely loved composing the music and working with their words.”
Mike Chunn is a big fan of Sam RB and her songs and says he thought, “’Mmm, I’d like to have a piece of her new album’, so I sent in a few lyrics and the next thing they’re songs!”
Queen Street Acoustics is produced by Andrew Buckton (Studio 203), and also features artists: Stephen Small, Christelle Berthon, Eddie Rayner, Andrew Buckton and Mike Chunn
This is an album of exploration and discovery. The diverse tracks encompass everything from love songs to social issues such as bullying and the rights of children. There are also reflections on psychosis and depression, and a tribute to NZ artist, the late Don Binney.
Sam RB can be found on Queen Street most (fine!) nights and is available for corporate and private events. You can purchase copies of both of Sam RB’s albums directly from her on Queen St or via samrb@vodafone.co.nz ($20 + free P&P within NZ). Albums are also downloadable online in the usual places
Click here to read The Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire – Sam RB
A summer night on Queen Street, 2013
Hi
I had the pleasure of hearing you sing in Queen Street on Saturday, and buying the C.D. Many thanks for the words and music, a wonderful C.D. ( very well engineered and produced ).
“Music is the Answer— not only for today”
Kind Regards Larry
Thank you Larry, we talked about amps eh…swiss vs german lol was lovely to meet you, thank you for your comment, its great to hear you dig the album. Andrew Buckton (Studio 203) is the man who did the awesome job of producing and engineering….and he played a bunch of instruments on it too! thanks again x Sam RB
HI Sam
Do you remember a chinese girl in her teens with a bright red coat , just a few days ago,on August 12,about 4pm. Well that’s me^_^
I recorded a whole song of yours and that was brilliant,really.
That was my last few hours staying in NZ and I shall say it is one of the most fantastic experience besides Bungy
I had never heard such a song that could drag me back to record it .
My family says they like your song very much after I share the video with them.
Regret didn’t buy yourCD,but I will try to download it on line
looking forward to your beautiful voice
Sincerely
Vina
thank you Vina! I was up by the metro centre next to starbucks d=] im really pleased you enjoyed my music. you can watch a music video for Stand Tall that has some footage from that same spot here – http://youtu.be/TwCnSnv-ufw
you can get my debut album from itunes – http://itunes.apple.com/nz/artist/sam-rb/id521846801 and maybe one day youll be back to NZ and ill have my next album recorded by then
thank you for posting, you can stay in the loop with my music here on FB if you like – https://www.facebook.com/samRBnz
take care
x Sam RB
Tuesday night, I was almost late for Batman at Imax but had to stop and listen to this lovely voice singing such a catchy song over a grooving guitar.
Since when did Queen St buskers get this cool?
So glad I bought the CD. It’s been on high rotate ever since.
I hope you soon get the funds for the follow-up
Peter
Hey Peter, I remember you
I hope I was playing one of my own songs when you were there, cos I’m digging your description of the music! I started to busk to pay off my debut album production costs end of 2010, and just loved it so much I’ve not stopped, it’s also not that easy to get ‘indoor gigs’…people are happy for you to provide live music but don’t always want to pay…so as one of those musicians who needs to eat etc lol I busk to make a living. I’m about to hit some cafes again tho and try and get some gigs, but won’t ever give up busking…I love it. Stoked to hear you’re enjoying my album, i hope to have another one soon! Thanks for posting Peter, cheers Sam RB x
Ps hope batman was great
Dear Sam, this is Jiani (w78) here! I cant wait to put your CD into my CD player after I finished work, really really enjoyed the whole album and totally impressed by your talent and your pure and soothing voice! Thank you so much for your CD again! They are not only good music for driving, instead, they are the music people will fall for at the first instinct!
Plz get better soon and I cant wait for your new album haha…
Keep us updated with your release of new album….
All the Best!!!!
Kia ora Jiani! thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, i know how busy you must be. Im so pleased you are enjoying my album, and yes im hanging out to get back into the studio to record my next one! theres another song ‘A Light Went Out’ on the music page on this website, if you like it flick me an email samrb@vodafone.co.nz, and ill email you the song. Im doing really well, thank you for helping me on w78 x Sam RB
Hi Sam. A very pleasant evening was spent at a House Concert in the garden of Rosemary & Mike Riddell last night. You have such an amazing pure voice, I thought I was going to cry when you first started singing! Thank you and I hope we see you down here in Cambridge again soon. Kia kaha Marie
Kia Ora Marie
Thanks so much! Was a cool night eh, and how good was that Waikato weather! Awesome
Thanks again for coming, if you are ever in Queen St keep an ear out for me
next time I busking in Cambridge ill get the Riddells to let you know
x Sam RB
Hi Sam,
I bought your CD from you last Sunday night. We were attracted by your voice from the other side of the street. The cd is amazing. You have a wonderful, expressive, articulate, strong and musical voice and are a great song writer. But you looked a little fragile and ill – hope you were just a bit tired and that you are really in great health. We can hear lots of others in your voice and songs…..but you are very unique. Hope you go from strength to strength.
Best wishes
Greg and Leanne
Ocean Grove, VIctoria OZ
Hi Greg and Leanne
thank you for your comment
Im so pleased to hear you are enjoying my debut album, ive just recently booked the dates in February to record album #2! excited! im allergic to lots of food and sometimes im naughty and eat a bit of food im not supposed to eat, and it gives me really bad dark shadows under my eyes lol makes me look pretty munted! but other than that im in good health. i dont think ive been in great health since i was 8 
thanks again and this is my FB page if you want to keep in the loop – https://www.facebook.com/samRBnz have a good friday, hope its a blue sky day where ever you are 
x Sam RB
15th Dec Crazy Christmas shopping rush, older fatter balding Dad, still stopped in my tracks by your sound, (hadn’t recognised the “Stand Tall” connection) and had to come back and listen and quickly buy your CD. My friend Dylan Wade who teaches my son Guitar told me more about you; really likes your busking setup! Love the CD. Pleasure to have met you human being!
ha that made me laugh
thank you Mike! my next album is out in 2013, im recording it in Feb, cant wait. Pleasure to meet you to co-human-being 
im looking forward to the weather improving and taking that busking setup up North. Happy New Year!
Hi Sam, still listening to your amazing voice and music. Can’t wait for your next cd. How about something live in Melbourne?
Cheers
Greg (as above….)
Hey Greg! In the studio from next Wednesday recording Queen Street Acoustics
can’t wait! Would love to come to Melbourne, probably have more luck getting a gig there than here in Auckland eh lol hope you are well x Sam RB
Hi Sam,
As Emmylou sings ‘ i found me a diamond’ . I am so glad I bought your cd this morning at the wesley markets. I hope you find your bigger spotlight soon (dont want to hear another rodriguez story) when you do remember the indian guy who stole your cd and spoke about Mary Gauthier.
take care God bless.
prakash rodrigues
Prakash! It was so lovely to meet you, thank you for stopping to chat. I was so surprised you knew of Mary G! Next time we meet I will have to sing you one of my favorites, maybe Mercy Now, or Empty Spaces or Before You Leave… You have a wonderful warm and friendly way about you, thank you for sharing that with me x
Hi Sam I don’t know if you remember me and my husband our names are Serena Paddy, I was the English lady and paddy was the Indian man we purchased your latest cd on queen street on the Thursday 28 march , you was singing hallijuha and paddy ask if it was on your cd, and that you sing it better than the original. What you don’t know that at present me Serena is going through cancer treatment and I find your cd a great strength and relaxing and warm and kind of spiritual. So Thankyou for your wonderfull voice and please please if there is any way you do sing hallijuha on a cd I would love to buy it. Also or other cd were can I purchase it. Many many thanks for your great voice. Serena God Bless you
I do remember you guys, Serena! Paddy made me laugh with his comment re singing covers
Thank you for posting comment, I very much appreciate it. I’m so sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time. im moved and honoured that my music has been helpful to you x thank you
I can pop other album in post, I’ll flick you an email, also i have a new gig in CBD that might interest you guys
And yes if I ever record Hallelujah
there’s a version of ‘falling in love’ up on utube.
Hi Sam Serena again please send me details of you gig , and also details to purchase your other cd. And a good cover of falling in live now do one for hallijuha lol. Fantastic voice
Lovely! Have emailed. Email me on samrb@vodafone.co.nz if you don’t get my email x