Archive Series Volume No. 1

Sam Beam’s successful recording career as Iron & Wine left much of his early work, made before he signed to Sub Pop Records, lost to poor-sounding bootlegs. However, Beam initiated the \"Archive Series\" to self-release his unreleased home recordings, covers, and live sets from his entire career. This first volume centers on recordings that could be considered a companion volume to his debut album, *The Creek Drank the Cradle*. They feature an uninhibited Beam harmonizing with himself over his gorgeous acoustic guitar work. Songs such as “Two Hungry Blackbirds,” “Judgement,” and “Quarters in a Pocket” prove that beauty can present itself in hushed tones.

Sam Beam's new Iron & Wine rarities compilation recalls a time when he was just beginning to form a strong connection with his listeners, and when it seemed he could take his indie folk sound in any direction imaginable.

As Iron & Wine, songwriter Samuel Beam became an icon of rustic indie folk, his soft-spoken songs full of still, wistful country imagery and lovelorn emotions always tuneful enough to sit well beside the various mild-mannered indie rock bands that became his contemporaries as he spanned over a decade of recording and touring.

In the past decade, Iron & Wine's Sam Beam has expanded his sound to incorporate world influences, lush AM pop and jazzy, full-band folk rock.