Sam Misner and Megan SmithSam Misner and Megan Smith
Sam Misner and Megan Smith began their musical collaboration after working together as actors on a production of "Woody Guthrie's American Song" and immediately recognized a mutual love of Americana music. Since then the two have played regularly around the Bay Area and beyond, and are beginning to build a steady and loyal following. Both Sam and Megan are natives of Northern California, having grown up in Sonoma County and Davis, respectively.
Balancing their careers as actors and musicians is no easy task but the two have found the art of storytelling to be one of the common threads running through both forms. Characters of various types inhabit their songs. Some are fictional, some are autobiographical, and some are historical, as in the tune "Triangle Factory Fire". Based on the true story of the infamous fire at the Triangle Waistcoat Factory in New York City in 1911, the song combines researched facts and invention to retell the tragic story from a first-person perspective -- that of Cecilia Walker, one of the actual survivors. An estimated 150 people -- mostly young immigrant women -- died because owners kept all the fire escapes bolted shut.
Crafting original songs rich in meaning and texture, the duo's sound is centered around unique vocal harmonies and evocative lyrics. Their influences span many genres ranging from Traditional and Old-time music, Bluegrass, Folk, and Rock and Roll, to Reggae, Motown and the Blues. Strong songwriting and an exceptional blend of voices is what sets this pair apart. They have been likened to artists such as Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Simon and Garfunkel and even Buffalo Springfield.