Samantha Hooey is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose work intertwines raw emotion with the soulful spirit of Americana. Originally from Ontario and now based in Vancouver, she first made her mark with her debut album Hey Love (2011), which earned a nomination for the Jack Richardson Songwriter of the Year Award. Her sophomore release, After the Fire (2013), solidified her reputation as a storyteller with a gift for evocative melodies and heartfelt lyricism.
Her latest project, the EP Silver (April 2025), explores the duality of life and nature, as well as the resilience of the human spirit. Produced and mixed by Jeff Zipp, the collection highlights Hooey’s signature ethereal harmonies and lush instrumentation—balancing softness with dynamic intensity and weaving moody, introspective lyrics throughout. For Samantha, music is not only a vessel for self-expression but also a way to foster connection, healing, and shared meaning.
Name:
Samantha Hooey
Genre:
Alt-Country/Americana
Founded:
2005
# of Albums:
2 Albums, 1 EP
Latest Album:
Silver EP
Latest Single:
Red Skies
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
This is a tough one, how to pick from many of the greats from the ’90s! Alanis and Sarah McLachlan, but also Kurt Cobain and Chris Cornell.
Favourite musician now:
Jeff Buckley, Chris Stapleton
Guilty pleasure song:
I love so many artists and types of music, it’s almost painful; there’s no room for guilt here!
Live show ritual:
Trying to quell my sense of panic with laughter.
Favourite local musician:
Marin Patenaude. Incredible songwriter and performer. Absolute magic!
EP or LP?
Depends on the mood. I love the journey of an LP, but a concise EP can make a statement.
Early bird or night owl?
I’m a night owl living the life of an early bird; it can be challenging.
Road or studio?
Studio: a comfy couch, tea, and creating layers of harmonies is always a dream to me.
Any shows or albums coming up?
I am very excited to have just released my EP Silver this spring. Special thanks to Jeff Zipp!
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Como Taperia
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
West Broadway (Greektown). Such a great selection of restaurants (Olympia, Nostos and The Painted Ship), bakeries, and the Fringe.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
Pacific Spirit is always a welcome breath of fresh air, and our dog loves it.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
The Orpheum takes you to a different place in time.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Long and McQuade – they’ve helped me with many decisive and indecisive gear purchases, great folks in there.
