BTCP: Beth Orton + Sam Amidon

"Music has always worked as a way of seeing," she says. "I found myself writing until the words lost sense, which is really scary in the real world but really interesting when you’re making music. It gives all meaning new meaning. One of the most exciting elements of writing songs is how they reveal their truth as the process develops."

SAM AMIDON is a singer and multi-instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, fiddle) originally from Vermont, now based in London. He has released seven acclaimed solo albums of songs on Bedroom Community and Nonesuch Records.

Amidon’s material for these albums often consists of adventurous reworkings of traditional ballads, hymns and work songs, with the New York Times writing that Amidon “transforms all of the songs, changing their colours and loading them with trapdoors.”

The albums have been deeply collaborative in nature, inviting contributions from musicians such as pianist/producer Thomas Bartlett, composer Nico Muhly, multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily, and guitarist Bill Frisell.

Sam Amidon has recorded or performed as a guest artist with musicians such as Bon Iver, Ganavya, The National, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Martin Hayes, Lonnie Holley, Manami Kakudo, Jacob Collier, Marc Ribot, and Beth Orton. He has appeared internationally as a soloist with ensembles such as the Kronos Quartet, The Aurora Orchestra, the Australian Chamber Orchestra with Pekka Kuusisto, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, The Oregon Symphony, Roomful of Teeth, and the Britten Sinfonia

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