Samuel Bester’s lyrics speak of the human condition, political, personal and other stories from life. Often daring to delve into the deep, yet carrying an underlying positive message, one that reflects Samuel’s own determination for better living. His influences are varied but as an indication, if you think of the folk/pop sensibilities of Cat Stevens, lyrical life observations of Bob Dylan, the fresh roots sound of Donovan Frankenreiter and compositional diversity of Ben Harper, then you’re getting close.

A Samuel Bester show is a warm affair, drawing the listener to be involved spiritually in the music. Performing with his beautiful voice, a selection of acoustic guitars, six string, twelve string & open tunings, spiced with harmonica and a stomp box to boot, his catchy songs will entrance you. Expect a journey from twelve string plectrum picked folk to six string swing jazz, political country sing along to foot stomping swampy blues.

Based in his adored home state of Tasmania Samuel has performed in places as diverse as London’s Islington Folk Club, The Fete de la Musique in Paris, Marion Bay Falls Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival and a plethora of pubs and venues throughout Australia & Europe gaining fans all over the world. Samuel’s first album The Long & The Short Of It (available via this website) has been discovered by many around the globe. The single I’m in Love With You, received national airplay on Triple J and many of the tracks have been frequently aired on Hobart’s own Edge Radio and also received ground roots community radio support overseas and on mainland Australia. Samuel extensively toured Australia promoting his Golden album from which the single Make it Right made #2 in the Amrap AirIt charts & Dog on a Chain #5 in the blues chart. The latest album from Samuel is Retroperspective with the single Bring it on Back.

A little history…….Samuel started his music career at 16 years of age playing drums with a band called The Debt Collectors, which he would later return to sing with after retiring from drumming. Later he was lead singer for a Hobart based band called The Pirates, taking on the roll of rhythm guitarist as well after one of the guitarists left the band; you could say this was an “in the deep end” turning point for Samuel’s development as a singer-guitarist. At the demise of The Pirates he worked on a short lived duo, Moonlight Critters, then went on to form an all original band called Carousel, who built a reasonable following with their alternate to the “alternate music” of the period . Writing extensively in different time signatures and with tempo changes as their hallmark, they played regular spots at Uni bars and alternate pub venues with a few festival spots and supports with the likes of Paul Kelly and Spy Vs Spy. Following on from this  Samuel formed a band titled Candyman, which went on to become one of Tasmania’s premium bands of the era, regularly touring the state and Victoria, performing 3-4 gigs per week and supporting numerous well known acts, such as Cold Chisel, Hoodoo Gurus, The Cruel Sea, The Living End, The Whitlams, Regurgitator & Custard. Candyman released on album called “i” (this was long before apple used the “i”dea) and they also appeared on a national television morning show hosted by Wendy Kennedy with some regularity from a days filming of a selection of their songs in the TV studio.  After five years of touring the band ran out of steam and Samuel went solo whilst also forming another band, P939,  which had a two year life span entertaining Saturday night crowds with cover songs in packed bars. Samuel’s solo career has seen him support numerous acts including Jenny Morris, John Butler, Diesel, Lior & The Lucky Wonders.