Shepparton local legends Sam Ludeman and Sam Russell, known to the public under the stage name Sam + Sam, released their debut album on Sunday, November 27.
Since moving to Melbourne, the pair have made great strides in their music career as performing and recording artists, with their debut album, Evolve, a long-awaited light at the end of the infamous COVID-19 lockdowns.
“We released two singles beforehand, which caught a bit of attention,” Mr Ludeman said.
“When lockdowns shut the world down, we managed to keep writing songs and playing music to our online following using streaming platforms.”
The album showcases the musical duo’s journey during the pandemic.
“It’s all about the evolution of going from covers to our own music and the progression that it took to get there,” Mr Russell said.
Sam + Sam are set to tour many regional areas in the new year, kicking off at Barmah Hotel on Saturday, January 28.
The Evolve album tour includes eight shows across a total of six regions – Barmah, Panton Hill, Ballarat, Geelong, Echuca and Bendigo.
Both Sams believe many of their audience members reside in the country and have been the ones to resonate the most with their songs.
The Evolve tour is an acknowledgement of Sam + Sam’s regional fan base and a way for the artists to reach a broader audience outside the big city.
“Melbourne already has a lot going on in terms of live music, it’s good to get out and represent the country vibes,” Mr Ludeman said.
Listen to Sam + Sam’s debut album and find out more about their upcoming gigs via the Sam + Sam website.