Biography
Since the early noughties, singer/songwriter Sam Obernik has remained a fixture on the U.K. dance music circuit, regularly supplying guest vocals to many of its most prominent figures. Born and raised in Ireland, she launched her performing life by delivering covers of Prince, the Rolling Stones, and the Waterboys on Dublin sidewalks alongside Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning vocalist from the Frames. After missing out on a part in Alan Parker’s The Commitments, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she tried out for Dave Stewart’s band and joined the Specials’ Terry Hall on tour before heading back to the U.K. to raise a family. During the late ’90s she led her own vaudeville outfit bearing her name, building a devoted audience at London spots such as Water Rats and The Garage. Commercial recognition arrived in 2002 when she supplied the vocals for Tim Deluxe’s number 11 hit “It Just Won’t Do.” A solo contract with Warner East West Records came next, yet the label collapsed a month before her debut album Stellify was scheduled for release. She pressed on regardless, joining Linus Loves on the Top 40 club track “Stand Back” and collaborating with Kylie Minogue producer Tommy D on a set of jazz-pop reinterpretations of dancefloor material released under the Barefoot moniker. Her third chart appearance followed in 2008 with “Baditude,” a joint effort alongside DJs Dave Spoon and Paul Harris, after which she continued contributing to recordings by additional dance-pop artists such as Alex Gaudino and Redroche.
Albums