Biography

         Iron & Wine is the musical project of Sam Beam, who is originally from South Carolina.  The name Iron & Wine came from a dietary supplement that Sam saw at a general store called "Beef Iron & Wine".  His career began at home in Miami, Florida, recording on a four-track.  Then, a father of two girls, Sam was a teacher at a local Miami college where he taught cinematography.  When long time friend Ben Bridwell (once drummer for the now disbanded Carissa’s Wierd, and now a member of Band of Horses) introduced Sam’s home-made music to the editor of the Yeti zine, Mike McGonigal, the music of Iron & Wine saw its first release on a CD compilation that came with the first issue of Yeti in 2000.
         Along with the release of Iron & Wine’s debut recording came attention from the independent record label Sub Pop.  Sub Pop heard the compilation CD and contacted Sam asking for more of his songs, in hopes of releasing an album of what he had recorded in his home.  After a few months, Sub Pop received two Cd’s full of songs that Sam had recorded and sent to the record label.  Sub Pop compiled a smaller collection of those songs, which became Iron & Wine’s debut album, The Creek Drank The Cradle (2002).
         Later, in 2003, Sub Pop released five more recordings from those songs which did not make it on to The Creek Drank The Cradle.  This release is The Sea & The Rhythm.  Not too long after this release came the second full length album, Our Endless Numbered Days (2004).  The songs from this record were recorded as usual, in Sam’s home, but Sam also went into the studio for the first time with producer Brian Deck.  Assisting Sam on the record were his sister Sara Beam, Patrick McKinney, Jeff McGriff, EJ Holowicki, and Jonathan Bradley, who had also been touring as a band with Sam.
         Sam continued touring and recording, which yielded two more EP’s, Woman King (2005) and In The Reins (2005).  In The Reins is a collaboration with the band Calexico, which was born from the idea of Howard Greynolds (owner of Overcoat Records).  Originally, Howard proposed that Calexico could be the backing band for Iron & Wine’s debut release, The Creek Drank The Cradle, which never worked out due to Calexico’s touring schedule and Sam’s availability.
         Most recently, Sam has released his third full length album, The Shepherd’s Dog.  He is currently living in Austin, Texas and is on tour with a new band comprised of his sister Sara Beam, Chad Taylor (Chicago Underground/Sea & Cake), Benny Massarella (Califone), Matt Lux (Isotope 217), Leroy Bach (Wilco), Paul Niehaus (Calexico), and Patrick McCkinney.