Sam Russo

Long defined by his singular voice and quietly defiant songwriting, Sam Russo continues to chart his own course, never chasing trends, always reaching for something honest. Hold You Hard, his fourth full-length release with Red Scare Industries out this Friday, finds him expanding his sound with a full band: Chris Stockings (guitar), Josh Hurrell (bass), and Matt Walrond (drums). Together, they explore themes of distance, desire, and dislocation, drawing on imagery that drifts between the wheat fields of East Anglia and the faded romance of American coastlines.

Russo has built a loyal following the long way: through relentless touring and word of mouth, sharing stages with artists like Tim Barry, The Lawrence Arms, Lucero, and Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio. It was on a European tour with Andriano and Brendan Kelly (The Lawrence Arms) that the pair introduced Russo’s music to Red Scare, sparking a creative partnership that continues to this day.

Though he hails from far outside the traditional UK punk strongholds and music cities, Russo’s perspective is anything but detached. There’s a timelessness to his writing, introspective yet immediate, rooted in solitude but always reaching outward. Whether performing solo or with a band, he remains a uniquely vital presence in modern punk-inspired songwriting: not chasing discovery, just steadily becoming unmissable.