Photo Credit: Indie Ethos
Fans of current indie folk music have almost undoubtedly heard of Iron & Wine, a band moniker created by musician Samuel Beam. What many people don’t know is that Beam received his Master of Fine Arts from our very own Florida State University! Earning his master’s degree from FSU’s highly praised film school, Beam did not expect to have a career in creating music. However, life’s plans changed – as they so often do – when Jonathon Poneman, co-owner of Sub Pop Records, accidentally discovered Beam in the early 2000s. With Poneman by his side, Iron & Wine released an album entitled The Creek Drank The Cradle in 2002. Shortly thereafter, he released an EP entitled The Sea & The Rhythm.
Iron & Wine’s music career took off in 2004 with the release of Our Endless Numbered Days, which Beam recorded with a full band. The album’s haunting love song, “Naked as We Came,” was even featured in the comedy film In Good Company. Iron & Wine’s newfound popularity led to the release of two more EPs in 2005. Woman King acknowledged spiritual female figures, while In the Reins was a collaborative EP with indie rock duo Calexico. This EP showed a different side of Beam, and even featured some lyrics in Spanish.Â
Photo Credit: Spin
The late 2000s offered even more chapters in Iron & Wine’s success story. Perhaps his most highly acclaimed album, Shepherd’s Dog, came out in 2007. This album featured some of Beam’s most popular songs, such as “Boy with a Coin,” and my personal favorite, “Flightless Bird, American Mouth.” Around the Well was an extravagant disc collection released in 2009, featuring multiple sides and rare and discarded tracks–including a more acoustic version of The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights.” This cover was actually featured on Garden State (which is a really amazing movie with a really amazing soundtrack, by the way).
After a bit of a break, and a switch to working with Warner Bros., as well as the British record company 4AD, Iron & Wine released Kiss Each Other Clean, a prime example of Beam’s characteristically pure, soothing sound. The album reached number one on three US Billboard Charts: Folk Albums, Top Alternative Albums, and Top Rock Albums. It even hit number two on the US Billboard 200 Chart. His most recent album, Ghost on Ghost, came out last year, with a 1970s-esque feel that we hadn’t exactly heard from Beam before. “Winter Prayers” is a bone-chilling track that embraces only Beam’s voice without the rest of the band. It was reminiscent of the acoustic concert Beam performed at Stetson’s on the Moon that I attended last spring here in Tallahassee. The organic sounds and silence of the audience as we appreciated Beam’s one-of-a-kind voice provided an unforgettable experience. Although Iron & Wine’s upcoming tour dates are only in Europe, I would encourage all Collegiettes to attend a performance if you and Beam ever happen to be in the same area. Â