PRESS PAGE: “LIKE YOUR VIBE”

Les Sampou’s new release “Like Your Vibe” is a multi-year songwriting project. Twenty songs span multiple genres and topics.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2024

CONTACT:  Grace Hopeland, MoNando Music, 781.883.8475; LASampou@gmail.com

Les Sampou Unveils songwriting Project with Songwriters

from around the world. “LIKE YOUR VIBE” Is all about the vibe!

Never a musician to be pigeon-holed, Les Sampou has created another album of cross-genre songs on her newest project “Like Your Vibe,” an album of twenty songs which spans more than a few musical genres:  Cinematic Pop, Indie Rock, PopJazz, Folk, Electronica, and Spoken Word.  

“When your subject matter includes dark and oddball themes like vampires, hippies in the sixties, death by jumping, motorcycle racing, dark family secrets, vibrators, divorce, drug lords, superhero-sized betrayal, roadie crushes, resurrection and recovery and hookers you tend to catch an ear or two. But I wouldn’t recommend listening to the entire album in one sitting,” said Sampou when asked about how 11 of the twenty songs on Vibe got placed in Film and TV. 

Her collaborators are as varied as the songs.  They hail from around the world:   Andre Lund/Norway (ex-guitarist for the cult rock band Major Parkinson), Axel Bauer/Vienna (Shameless, Chicago Fire), Roy Osherove/Tel Aviv (author and trailer producer), Shawn Kelly/Seattle (cinematic trailers), and her long-time songwriting partner and film composer Ed Grenga/Boston. 

“I wanted to break out of the Americana box I was in for most of my career.   I searched the internet and found a few very talented strangers who were up for collaborating.  We made music without ever meeting—it was all done by swapping tracks and emails. ” said Sampou whose thirty-year folk and blues career includes such highlights as opening for Aretha Franklin as well as performance invitations to such legendary stages as SXSW, Montreal Jazz Fest, and most of the major U.S. and Canadian blues and folk festivals. Sampou has won several songwriting awards, such as the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Contest, Best New Artist/WUMB Radio, and more recently, the 2021 U.S. Songwriting Competition.  

“Typically, the co-writing process would start with “idea tracks” that we’d build on sending tracks back and forth in Dropbox.  It was experimental and creative,” said Sampou. “There was never any pressure to fit into a record company’s idea of what I should sound like.”

Not that Sampou ever did try very hard to fit.  Each of her six previous albums, some of which were released on Rounder Records, landed on the top of Gavin and F.A.R. Americana charts. Each embraced a range of roots styles which  supported her country-blues and singer-songwriter performances. “Sampou’s passionate vocals are simply stunning, now ballsy and rough-edged, then purry and seductive, while the only problem with her original songs is trying to decide which is the least sensational.” 3rd Coast Music Magazine, SXSW

“Another plus to the project was I felt free to not always sing the final take.  I could write songs outside my vocal expression.” Sampou said.  Lenya Bonser-Cianci, Jillian Chamberlin, and Ed Grenga sing on three of the twenty cuts. 

“I think the bottom line of what I gained most from “Like Your Vibe” was learning I’m a natural “top liner.” Give me a track, a style, and I’ll write a melody and lyrics to fit it.” said Sampou, “And growing up listening to a wide spectrum of great singers from Billie Holiday to Robert Plant , Emmylou Harris to Otis Redding , Lowell George to Chrissie Hynde taught me to really stretch as a vocalist. You wanna own what you write if you can.“

"Sampou never wavers from a steady tone of genuineness as she sings sharply observant songs that she writes about disarray and failed communication in relationships. She has the ability to dramatize the sense of hurt at the heart of the characters without floundering in self-pity or weak sentiment." Frank John Hadley,  DOWNBEAT

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LYRICS:

1 I Like Your Vibe c.Sampou/Lund

 If I had a bone in my back I’d say that’s that addios and never look back It’s not easy being cool when you’re hot Hot is what I got for you you big bad boy do batteries come too Oh they do oooh oh they do  Come on let’s go take a Sunday drive How far I don’t know but we’ll slip and slide Along silky smooth horizons I like your Vibe  When I find a real man I can stand you won’t be used again Well, maybe now and then old friend He may be the jealous type and want his own toy too tonight I wonder if Amazon sells Duel Delight Come on let’s go take it for a ride How far I don’t know oh but we’ll slip and slide Along silky smooth inside I like your Vibe Vous etes si grand tres taboo tres underground Bow Wow Wow!  So boho so in so out! Meow meow meow! He’s no ordinary man (my steely dan)  Come on let’s go and take it for a ride How far I don’t know oh but we’ll slip and slide Along silky smooth inside I like your Vibe I like Your Vibe I like your Vibe

2 “1969” c. Sampou/Lund 

Oh what a lovely dream I had between 

The parallels of Wake and Sleep

But nothing lasts forever

If only we could find our place in time

Our Cosmic Hole unplug our souls

And float forever and ever

She wrote the song we belonged

We were half a million strong

Armed with Flower Power

Until Corporate Greed Ego Need 

Burst the bubble killed the Dream

America was ours

Come on Baby let’s Go 

Back in Time and Blow our Minds

It’s 1969  

Love and Peace, Hippie Freaks

Rock & Roll Music is God

Civil Protest the Law

LSD and Sex have set us Free

And the Dead Poets are Singing for You and Me

So Let’s Go 

Blow our Minds

It’s 1969  

Love and Peace, Hippie Freaks

Rock & Roll Music is God

Down with the Law

LSD and Sex set us free

And the dead poets are singing for you and me

In 1969

3 Bump in the Night c. Grenga/Sampou

Kill her with your alien eyes Kill her with your expert disguise

bum bum bum bump

Kill him with your luscious lips Kill him with your swaying hips

bum bum bum bump

Call the cops call 91 1 is nice 2 is fun

How’d it get so out of hand hurry hurry hurry hurry hurry Quick Sand!

Listen to the city sirens howl Night club hunters on the prowl

Bum bum bum bump

With hair all “windswept skunk” She meets apocalyptic cyber punk

And they go bum bum bum bump

Bump In The Night

Hearts are sinking awfully fast Like olives in a sweating glass

Bed time! The clock strikes 12 hurry hurry hurry hurry hurry Schnell! Schnell!

There’s nothing wrong with bad intent Unless of course there’s a consequence

How’d it get so out of hand? Bum bum bum bump…...

4 Death Roulette c. Sampou/Lund

Death Roulette       c. Andre Lund & Les Sampou

“Come on over Babe I’m a GPS away wanna come on over, you so bad” 

Well he trying to resist but He cannot forget her kiss

“I’m on my way, Wait,” you text her back

Tearing down the road  Burn it til she smokes Twist the grip and open wide

She rides your every dream Full throttle until you scream Lay her down and ride the slide

It’s time for a joy ride Climb on and sit behind him

“Hey Babe, let's go down in flames” He take (revs) it up a notch

She feel a rumble in her crotch Death Roulette 

They play the game Tearing down the road  

Burn it til she smokes Twist the grip and open wide

She rides your every dream Full throttle until you scream

Lay her down and ride the slide

Tearing down the road  Burn it til she smokes

Twist the grip and open wide She rides your every dream

Full throttle until you scream Lay her down and ride the slide

5 Dreadful Love c. Osherove/Sampou

Nothing dries faster than a tear except maybe blood (drink up drink up drink up)

You spill it til my veins run dry but it’s never enough

Your perfect hair and flawless skin I know I shouldn’t let you in    (Drink Up)

Beware for nothing compares to our dreadful love

You’re better than a hundred tiny pills if we’re talking a morose overdose

Your demons I believe in leave me screaming for the Holy Ghost 

A smile that hides what lurks inside eyes open wide I’ll never give you up  (Drink Up)

Beware for nothing compares to our Dreadful Love

Isn’t LOVE supposed to raise you from the dead

So why do I feel like there’s something wrong with us instead

And our dreadful LOVE LOVE

Nothing dries faster than a tear but blood

Drink up

6 Back in My Car   c. Grenga/Sampou  Vocals: Ed Grenga

I got da cadillac I got da routine

I got da girlfriend you know what I mean

I’m on da boulevard she be on my arm 

and when the night falls I be back in my car

I own the streets and you best be beat

or i bury you where the sleepless sleep

by the trash cans and the alley cats

She wears her jewels and I tip my hat

I got da routine I got da cadillac

I got da girlfriend I got it on the right track 

I’m on da boulevard I’m in your back yard

and when the night falls I be back in my car

My wheels spin fast collectin' my brand

Every corner deal ends up in my hand

And that means you ain’t no escape 

I take what’s mine  that’s my fate

I got da cadillac I got da routine

I got da girlfriend  I got the cash machine

I’m on da boulevard she be on my arm 

and when the night falls I be back in my car

I got da routine I got the cadillac

I got da girlfriend  I got the black tar smack 

I’m on da boulevard I’m in your backyard

and when the night falls I be back in my car

Back in my Car

Back in my Car

7 HIDE & SEEK  c. Sampou/Lund

I got a secret I’ll never tell you It’s wrapped in linen and lace I act like I don’t want or need you It’s all a part of the chase It’s a Game of Hide & Seek Come on Baby find me Under the covers let’s discover What it takes to really make the kind of Love You Just Can’t Fake Come on baby take one step closer I can hear you breathe In the darkness I’m blindfolded And I’m down on my knees It’s a Game of Hide & Seek Come on Baby find me Under the covers let’s discover what it takes to really make the kind of Love You Just Can’t Fake You Just can’t Fake You Just Can’t FAKE  HIDE…I’m Gonna Getcha Baby HIDE & Seek HIDE Come play come play come play with me

It’s a Game of Hide & Seek Come on Baby find me Under the covers let’s discover  what it takes to really make the kind of Love You Just Can’t Fake I got a secret I’ll never tell you It’s wrapped in linen and lace I act like I don’t want or need you It’s all a part of the chase It’s a Game of Hide & Seek Come on Baby find me
Under the covers let’s discover  what it takes to really make the kind of Love You Just Can’t Fake You Just Can’t Fake You Just Can’t Fake

8 Fast As Freedom c. Les Sampou

I thought I was fast but he was fasterI thought I could catch him what a disaster

Not even Superman can beat him Nothing’s quite as fast as freedom

Fast as Freedom

Fast Fast as Freedom    

I sew “F’s” on all his T-shirts He lives on cigarettes and  Dessert

I love my super skinny Hero He can do sixty to zero

Fast as Freedom Fast Fast as Freedom

Fast as Freedom Fast Fast as Freedom

He’s too dumn to spin a good web If he were Spiderman he’d be dead

He doesn’t like the fact I need him So he goes Fast Fast as Freedom

Fast as Freedom Fast Fast as Freedom

Fast as Freedom  Fast Fast as Freedom

9 Rodeo Star c. Sampou/Lund

She pulled into town in a ratty old dress

Battered guitar slung around her chest 

Saw her on stage at the Paradise Bar

Singing her lungs out like a Rodeo Star

Rodeo Star singing hi ho

Come along little dogie let’s rock n roll 

The story’s the same: a good girl gone bad

I love, I hate, she’s driving me mad 

With her music, her booze, her rock n roll heart

Shoot ‘em up bang bang my Rodeo Star

Rodeo Star singing hi ho

Come along little dogie let’s rock n roll 

She pulled out of town in her rusty old bus

kicking up stones and clouds of dust

mixed with my tears through which i saw

the last of my darlin’ Rodeo Star  

Rodeo Star singing hi ho

Come along little dogie let’s rock n roll 

10 The Kill c. Les Sampou

Some things are better off left alone

But not me  I want to be known

Deep inside the place we hide

The cave where the Wolves Cry

The Fire’s lit the Kill is on your plate

I curl up and wait and wait and wait

Some things are better off left alone

But not me I want to be known

There you are at last at my door

We hold on wanting more

The puzzle that’s found its piece

I believe in love I believe

Some things are better off left alone

But not me  I want to be known

11 The Never Tell c. Sampou/Grenga

Scarlet Mouth Black Hair tumbling down

Plastic Conversation spilling like Laughter over Bourbon on the Rock

It’s not so easy for a girl raised in Westchester County 

Surrounded by Grandmother’s Wedgewood and Ivory

and Secrets you swore You’d Never Tell

Everyone wants to know til they don’t

Everyone wants to tell but they won’t

Those Dark Lost Places where Hurt turns to Anger turns to Hate turns to

The Unspoken

The Never Tell 

Calloused hands Broken Tooth out with the trash

The only stupid question is The one you don’t ask

Mom used to say before she'd hit him

Mirrors draped Casseroles spoil on the table 

He feels wild inside Now he’s able to bury the Secrets you swore 

You’d Never Tell

Everyone wants to know til they don’t

Everyone wants to tell but they won’t

Those Dark Lost Places where Hurt turns to Anger turns to Hate turns to…

The Unspoken

The Never Tell 

12 Wasting Time c.Sampou/Grenga Vocals: Jillian Chamberlin

Watching the sunset
Golden red as the autumn leaves
swirl around me 
Touching your hand your hair 
your scent all over me It’s only a memory

You should’ve been here to hold me You should’ve shared all my kisses
and been here all along instead of gone from all we’ve missed
Should've been secret lovers
We should’ve taken the chance  
Instead of….

Wasting Time
Like Grains of Sand slipping through my hands
Wasting Time
You could’ve been my man

Watching the sunset
Like a golden sinking ship
Pulling us under
Is this goodbye or do we
take a Leap of Faith                
Are we were meant for each other? 

You should’ve been here to hold me
You should’ve shared all my kisses 
and been here all along instead of gone from all we’ve missed
We should've been secret lovers
We should’ve taken the chance  
Instead of….

Wasting Time

Like Grains of Sand slipping through my hands
Wasting Time 
You could’ve been my man
Instead of Wasting Time

You should’ve been here to hold me
You should’ve shared all my kisses 
and been here all along instead of gone from all we’ve missed
We should've been secret lovers
We should’ve taken the chance  
Instead of….
Wasting Time
Like Grains of Sand slipping through my hands
Wasting Time 
You could’ve been my man
Instead of Wasting Time
You could’ve been my man instead of wasting time

13 Mirror c. Sampou/Grenga

Who's that face in the glass staring back

I don't know her any more

Pretty as a picture they used to say

But now she's changed

She's not like before

Who Am I?

Who is that girl in the mirror

She's lonely like she's the only one 

Whoever lost the thing she loves

Who is that girl in the mirror

She's hard She's cold

She’s Sharp as Glass Sharp as Glass

Do mirrors ever lie

I never thought that my beauty

Was only Skin Deep

A tattoo that fades away

A butterfly turning grey

I pray my soul to keep

Who Am I?

Who is that girl in the mirror

She's lonely like she's the only one 

Whose ever lost the thing she loves

Who is that girl in the mirror

She's hard She's cold

She's sharp as glass Sharp as Glass, Glass, Sharp as Glass

Who is that girl in the Mirror

Do Mirrors ever lie

14 Bed Of Nails c.Sampou/Grenga Vocals: Leyna Cianci

Lying on a bed of nails

Lying on a bed of nails

She said you made your bed so go lie in it

A lonely queen on a pillowed cloud  

You reach for him but his side is cold

Another sleepless night tossing and turning alone

On this bed of nails

Fanning the flames of my heart You crash and burn me to the ground

Playing games from the start You push and pull me around

I’m rising up on broken wings From the ashes you’ll hear me sing

Rising up Rising up Rising up From this Bed of Nails  Bed of Nails

A kiss is just a kiss so don’t lie to him

Brick by Brick the walls fall down

You need a man more than you thought you did

Go set the table and pass your heart around

(Fanning the flames of my heart) You crash and burn me to the ground

(Playing games from the start) You push and pull me around

(I’m rising up on broken wings) From the ashes you’ll hear me sing

(Rising up) Rising up Rising up From this Bed of Nails

What you deserve is what you get

If you won't rise up, rise up, take the best of life

(Rise up Rise Up Rise up) Spread your wings and fly

You don't have to need, (rise up) you don't have to bleed (rise up)

You don't have to lie on a bed of nails  All you have to do is rise up (rise up rise up)

All you have to do is rise up from this bed of nails…

I’m rising up on broken wings From the ashes you hear me sing

I’m rising up on broken wings I’m rising up on broken wings

From the ashes you hear me sing I’m rising up on broken wings

I’m rising up on broken wings From the ashes you’ll hear me sing

From the ashes you hear me sing I’m rising up on broken wings

(Rising up) Rising up Rising up From this Bed of Nails

15 Going West c. Sampou/Kelly  

You like it dirty you like it cheap

I heard you learned it on the street

You smell like oranges you smell like cash

No matter how you dress it up Baby you still look like trash

But I love you still    And I always will

I’m Goin’ West to California 

Shed the edges off my mind

You got me all messed up and cornered

I’m breaking free for real this time

You take me out to the Dance Hall

Watch me shimmy for the other men

You love me up and say how much you want me

Then make me do it do it do it for them all over again

But I love you still And I always will

Goin’ West to California

Shed the edges off my mind

You got me all messed up and cornered

I’m breaking free for real this time

He’s waiting for me I got a brand new dress

with an airline ticket a credit card

and I’m Goin’ West ……..Goin’ West

Goin’ West to California

Shed the edges off my mind

You got me all messed up and cornered

I’m breaking free for real this time

 Goin’ West to California

Leave your using love behind

Won’t be waiting on that corner

Cuz I’m breaking free for real this time

16 Talk Love c. Les Sampou

Renting drills and screwing nuts and bolts Fixing faucets making lots of holes In Our House Talk Love In Our House Talk Love Changing bulbs but never see the light Human doers never being right In Our House talk love Baby in Our House Talk Love Sprinkling lawns but never getting wet All the things you think you’re gonna get Our house lost its heart  Our house has torn us apart Lose the hammer  Lose the fucking broom Make love make room

In Our House Talk Love

Baby In Our House Talk Love

17 Boy Blue c.Sampou /Bauer

Whenever you are down just call me up and I’ll come around  

I’ll bring you coffee the way you like it 

And we can talk and go downtown

Cuz If You’re  Blue

I’ll be there for you 

I know boys aren’t supposed to cry

That’s a lie your mother said to you Boy Blue

And I know it’s hard to see in the dark any reason to believe 

They stole your crown and held you down  

And watched you bleed

And so you’re Blue 

But I’ll be there for you 

I know boys aren’t supposed to cry

That’s just a lie your father said to you Boy Blue

I remember dancing with you in the rain 

Arms wide laughing in spite of the pain

I’m here to tell you I love you so don’t give up now

If you’re Blue I’ll be there for you 

I know boys aren’t supposed to cry

That’s just a lie your mother said to you Boy Blue 

Blue Oh I’ll be there for you   

I know boys aren’t supposed to cry 

That’s why I love you cuz you do  Boy Blue 

My Boy Blue I’m in love with you 

Don’t matter when you’re Blue 

cuz I’m always here for you Boy Blue

18 Serial Love Thief c. Les Sampou

You, you left your coat the one I like  Smells like smoke Smoke and cologne Is it supposed to be  like a note goodbye Or to keep me warm Warm when I’m alone You stole my heart and said you’d never leave The collector, the expert serial love thief Don’t, don’t send it back  don’t bother to write Shine it now and then--nice and bright Pretty in a row do they line your shelf Are you bored are you hunting someone else And how’s your heart has it hardened to a fist Yeah Such Irony poor dear serial love twist I, I got a dog, a stray from the pound He’s all skin and bones but he sticks around Me and I like it, what are friends for He sleeps on your coat the coat by the door So you can take my heart shove it and leave please Be the collector Be the expert serial love thief   Serial Love Thief

WITHOUT WORDS  c. Les Sampou 2016

19 Without Words 

I never would have heard you ask, are you alone?

Like a letter never opened for fear of what may be exposed

It all comes down to a moment

It all comes down to the truth

You can take it or leave it  no way to deceive it

I’m just reaching out to you

Without Words

Could we ever hope to learn to speak with just our eyes

Body language in quiet anguish could never lie

It all comes down to a moment

Yeah It all comes down to the truth

You can take it or leave it no way to deceive it

I’m just reaching out to you

I’m just reaching out to you

20 59th Story Jump c.Sampou/Grenga

 The City sprawls as far as the eye can see

From 59 stories high

The Hudson sweats and stinks as it stumbles along Riverside Drive

Flanked by lockstepping legions of cars

But it’s me who falls

58…57…56....

And Ms. Gale begins to Dream

Office desks spin

yesterday’s deadline gone

Illegal deals twist

40...39...38.....

Mouths open

Who cares anymore?

Mirror windows speed by and I see myself

Arms stretched wide

Sudden stillness

Quiet

Peaceful

Can I fly?

29 ….28 …..27…..

I Fall to Dream I Dream to Fly I Fly to Meet my God

I Fall to Dream I Dream to Fly I Fly to Meet my God  

Amelia take me in your arms

Amelia take me in your arms

4...3...2...

I fly to meet my god and the honest pavement below

(Amelia Earheart radio broadcast)