Sam Airey
Raised in rural North Wales but now residing in Leeds, Sam Airey specialises in the composition of melancholy. His music feels inextricably bound in the concept of “hiraeth”, a Welsh-language word for which there is no direct translation. This idea is something that constantly and perhaps subconsciously informs and underlies his work; a sense of nostalgia, homesickness tinged with grief, and a longing for the past.
Sam's 2017 debut album ‘In Darkened Rooms’ propelled his music into the streaming stratosphere with over 10 million listens alone on ‘Stars’, a standout moment from the record and a song which has captured the hearts of people all over the world.
In many ways a songwriter’s songwriter, his musical admirers include Midlake, Damien Jurado, Sharon Van Etten, Daughter and Anais Mitchell (most of which with whom he has shared a stage), in addition to tour dates with Villagers, Matthew & The Atlas and Willy Mason, European festival appearances, and continued support from BBC Radio 1, 6 Music and BBC Radio Wales.