Find Sam
Info@VolaryMusic.com
Bio
Volary is the work of Australian-born singer/songwriter, Samantha. When she moved to San Francisco in 2001 to pursue a scientific career, she did not play any instruments. However, the discovery of a city bursting with the artistic intimacy and honesty of singer/songwriters was the inspiration for her to say: “OK, nobody’s ever going to write the songs that I hear until I learn to play the guitar and write them myself.”
Samantha muses about her debut album (‘Out of Shadows’): “You might compare it to a sculpture of delicate flowers made out of barbed wire.” The album takes flight through a land of mixed human emotions. Most of the songs delve into the darker sides of the human psyche, but as in a chiaroscuro, there is always light again. This dichotomy, yet juxtaposition of elements is an apt parallel to the name Volary; an obscure English term defined as a flight or flock of birds, or the cage you keep them in.
‘Out of Shadows,’ not only earned a 5 star review from Muzikreviews.com, but was also named their ‘Pick of the Week’ (Dec 4, 2010). As a further testament to the strength of the album, the single ‘Blackbird Fly’ was chosen as ‘Song of the Week’ by MSI: Music Scene Investigations (April 17, 2011; msi.icweekly.net/sotw).
Samantha often performs with Sam Mollica (bass) and other special guests. Along with drummer, Josh Jones, the band won the San Francisco heat of the 2011 Battle for America (a national Battle of the Bands). Shortly thereafter, they were selected as part of the R Life LIVE! music roster. Other highlights of 2011 included being nominated for the 2011 Best Artist of the Year Award by MSI: Music Scene Investigations, and the viral success of the Cat Christmas Song music video.
Volary is looking forward to starting 2012 with a bang, with guest appearances on Butterflies Radio’s Twitter Tuesday Live broadcast, and MSI: Music Scene Investigations’ first anniversary show. Following these podcast appearances, you can expect to see more live shows from Volary, and more collaborations with friends. You can be sure that the future will be bright for as Volary steps out of the shadows.
Press Quotes
"San Francisco regional winner. Volary, you just missed making the Top 10 National Bands list by 1 point." - Luckee Man, Battle for America (Jul 21, 2011)
"What a great song! Loved the dynamic feel of the song. Very hooky. (Review of Blackbird Fly, which won Song of the Week)" - Ian Husbands, MSI panelist, MSI: Music Scene Investigation (Apr 17, 2011)
"The music content is excellent, a perfect match for all the emotive lyrics as they ebb and flow like an ocean of feelings that act as a literal rip tide pulling you out to her vast body of sound. Right from the opening track I could sense something special going on with Volary. I really can appreciate the sizzling musicianship and the way she gets across a song to the listener. Each track is exceptional although “One Good Reason” is superlative and should be earmarked for a single. It is the kind of song that could break this fine artist." - Keith Hannaleck, MuzikReviews.com (Nov 29, 2010)
"...the combination of the drums and Volary’s rich vocals makes this one of the most entertaining independent albums of the year."- Mikey Jayy, The Great Unknowns Presents (Feb 18, 2011)
"breathtaking first effort from a woman who knows how to survive everything from self-doubt to lost love." "The songs are never simpleminded and are always intense in fullness of sound, each layer comes forth with more meaning upon each listen." - Moonmama, PacificSun Town Square (Dec 30, 2010)
“Stellar arrangement, production and performance of this fun, yet musically complex song with lyrics that are both metaphorical and highly relatable. ” - Bree Noble, Women of Substance Radio regarding 'Blackbird Fly' (Sep 14, 2010)