Jim and Sam - “Saturday Night (High)”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…The Head and the Heart, The Civil Wars, The Milk Carton Kids

Pretty harmonies and acoustic picking tend to define Jim and Sam’s music, quiet ballads softly delivered in full duo harmony. The California-based unit have leaned into their indie pop side as of late too - check out “Saturday Night (High)” and hopeful stomp “Calling It Quits” for this new-ish direction change following a couple of introductory EPs over the past four years. Balancing this with sparse folk numbers like highlight track “Doctor Please” and recent winter reflection “Holidays” gives Jim and Sam extra life that should inform whatever they will serve up in 2020. (Kevin McStravick)

2017 Review: Folk-pop duo Jim & Sam have emerged from the acoustic pop landscape of their 2015 debut EP This Is What’s Left with new single “Technicolor Lights”, a piano ballad that erupts into a musical flourish by chorus.  Both vocalists often sing in harmony, giving their sound an extra layer of sweetness.  It’s a personal sound, one that invites many ears in with a strong touch on pop songwriting.  The classic nature of “Technicolor Lights” livens Jim & Sam’s songwriting - it’s nice to hear the normally minimal pair fatten their sound with percussion and horns.  Beyond the catchy overtone of Jim & Sam’s music are tones of country, rock and straight folk, ready for a campfire or festival stage.