Samantha Savage Smith is quite possibly one of the most humble and down-to-earth singer-songwriters you are likely to meet.

In an age where people are more focused on image than songwriting, it’s refreshing to find an artist who is genuine and without pretension.

Setting out on her first Canadian tour to support Tough Cookie, her brilliant debut released through Western Famine and Arts & Crafts, this Calgary-born songwriter is poised for something big.

“Honestly, when we made (the record) I had no idea what was going on,” the 24-year-old says over the phone from her home in Calgary. “It never crossed my mind that people would listen to it and have it.”

The 12 thoughtful and ageless tunes that make up Tough Cookie found their way to wax with a little help from Lorrie Matheson. The infamous Alberta producer/songwriter has had a long career, producing such artists as Shane Ghostkeeper, The Bent Spoon Ensemble and founding roots powerhouse National Dust.

Turns out Matheson just happened upon her songs on Bandcamp, a website that allows artists to sell their music directly to their fans.

“He really liked them and came to a show to see if I could actually sing,” she says, laughing. “He offered to produce an album for me. I had a lot of songs, so they were ready to go.”

Having honed the songs live for a while, the singer wanted to have an accurate representation of the tunes on disc, but wasn’t terribly worried if they sounded a little different.

“I think it’s OK to have things that might not be with you at the live show on a record,” she says. “They’re two different experiences, right?

“I know a lot of bands that if they can’t have an instrument on the road with them they won’t put it on the record, as opposed to like, ‘Yeah, bring in the horn section!’”

When asked about the expectations she has for this tour, Savage Smith is surprisingly down to earth.

“I know people want to be successful but that doesn’t really occur to me,” she says. “I just want to go on tour and I don’t care if only four people come to my shows. It’s just for the love of doing it, you know?”

Published in Volume 66, Number 2 of The Uniter (September 8, 2011)