David Prior talks to Sam Newton who writes songs that dig deep into melancholy, devotion and flawed and fascinating characters. He has the uncanny ability to find a direct line into the central themes of his songs with a raw and poetic honesty.

Newton has served his apprenticeship on the Sydney music scene, playing with and learning from some of its finest songwriters and performers. His stylistic fluidity has enabled him to play with a wide variety of other acts, from veterans of the country scene to the new generation of folk singers populating the inner city pubs and bars.

Newton first began playing guitar at the age of 12 and started channeling his thoughts and emotions into songs at 16. Entering the local music scene gave him confidence and experience that led first to his self-titled EP (2011) and then his debut album Set In Stone (2014) which was a well-received calling card and a promising introduction to a wider audience via positive reviews and a strong live presence.

In 2016, Newton took things to the next level, undertaking the challenge of writing 100 songs in 100 days before releasing his second album, Violet Road. An expanded and more subtle musical palette was partnered with songs that traded in an unflinching honesty, dialing directly into the heart of subjects such as infatuation, mental health, relationships both damaged and on the ascent.