Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Now you know: San Diego singer/songer, boss juggler Sam Bybee

Sam likes open mic

Sam Bybee: “I did recently play Assassin’s Creed and loved running around Paris and causing trouble.”
Sam Bybee: “I did recently play Assassin’s Creed and loved running around Paris and causing trouble.”

"Here’s why open mics are important to me,” says Sam Bybee. “Fifteen years ago, there wasn’t much in the way of outlets for artists of any kind who were welcome to come and hone their craft. Only a handful of places would offer stage time at all. These places became my everything. It was on these stages that I learned how to and how not to be a musician. I would spend all week practicing for hours on end for this precious stage time that you would be lucky to get, on account of there being 60 other hungry artists hoping for the same. These open mics shaped me as a person and an artist and helped launch my career as a professional musician.”

The 36-year-old grew up in San Diego, beginning his musical persona as an Americana-inclined solo singer-songwriter by night while running an upscale bakery during the daytime. He was still baking cakes when his solo album I Hate Pretty Girls was released, around the same time that he teamed up with singer Sandi King for an acoustic duo called 22 Kings. The pair released a debut album in 2014 and mounted several successful tours over the next two years, including performances at NAMM and SXSW. They also recorded with Alex Wong, producer of Delta Rae’s “Carry the Fire,” before parting musical company earlier this year, with Bybee returning to his solo roots while King plays frequently around town in the King Taylor Project with Joshua Taylor.

“Here’s how I’d describe my music,” explains Bybee. “I like to say it’s like Mumford and Sons meets Foy Vance. So, if a gospel singer joined an Americana band, that would be me.” Among his cited influences are the Lumineers, Paul Simon, Jim Croce, James Taylor, Harry Chapin, and local coffeehouse crooner Jason Mraz.

Video:

"Sweetzer Ave."

...by Sam Bybee

...by Sam Bybee

Sam Bybee will perform a solo set on January 16 at De Oro Mine Company in Spring Valley. You can also catch him hosting the Monday-night Open Mic Grab at 98 Bottles, where he frequently primes the crowd with a few numbers of his own. “All you need is an instrument, 20 minutes of material, and guts to let it shine.”

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?

“My favorite CD right now is Foy Vance’s Wild Swan. His songwriting is a combination of Irish folk and modern pop. His mix of uplifting songs and heart-wrenching lyrics makes for an amazing experience.”

VIDEO GAME JAM?

“Well, I’m not much of a gamer, but I did recently play Assassin’s Creed and loved running around Paris and causing trouble.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

MAGAZINE YOU GRAB IN THE WAITING ROOM?

“Always National Geographic. I love that stuff.”

FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD?

“I live in University Heights, but I like to be all over the map, from Alpine to Ocean Beach.”

WHAT MAKES YOU INSECURE?

“Something I’d like to change about myself is my teeth. Thanks to my English roots, my teeth have always given me issues my whole life.”

MOST VISITED WEBSITE?

“It’s got to be Facebook. As a musician, we kind of have to live on there. It’s an invaluable tool.”

EVER GET THE URGE TO KILL?

“The closest time I’ve ever come to killing anyone was when I was stuck in a tiny car for three months on a national tour. It’s amazing no one was murdered.”

BEST THING YOU EVER HAD TO LET GO OF?

“That slippery ice cream cone.”

CRAZIEST WAY TO MAKE MONEY?

“Music. I still can’t believe people actually pay me to do this.”

WHAT REMAINS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

“Travel the world.”

YOUR BEST PICKUP LINE?

“Hey.”

Past Event

Sam Bybee

  • Monday, January 16, 2017, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • De Oro Mine Co, 9924 Campo Road, Spring Valley
  • 21+ / Free

SONG THAT BEST DESCRIBES YOUR LIFE?

“‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy,’ by Bobby McFerrin. I believe that just trying to be happy can actually make you happy.”

BRUSH WITH FAME?

“I used to house-sit for Kathy Griffin when I lived in L.A.”

SOMETHING USELESS STUCK IN YOUR BRAIN?

“The lyrics to ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),’ by the Proclaimers. ‘I Would Walk 500 Miles...’”

WHAT’S YOUR POISON?

“Whiskey.”

WHO’S THAT YELLING AT YOU IN THE BACKGROUND?

“My girlfriend. I started answering these questions after telling her we’d go get some food soon.”

OKAY THEN, TELL US SOMETHING THAT FEW WOULD KNOW OR GUESS ABOUT YOU?

“I can juggle like a boss.”

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Houston ex-mayor donates to Toni Atkins governor fund

LGBT fights in common
Next Article

Bringing Order to the Christmas Chaos

There is a sense of grandeur in Messiah that period performance mavens miss.
Sam Bybee: “I did recently play Assassin’s Creed and loved running around Paris and causing trouble.”
Sam Bybee: “I did recently play Assassin’s Creed and loved running around Paris and causing trouble.”

"Here’s why open mics are important to me,” says Sam Bybee. “Fifteen years ago, there wasn’t much in the way of outlets for artists of any kind who were welcome to come and hone their craft. Only a handful of places would offer stage time at all. These places became my everything. It was on these stages that I learned how to and how not to be a musician. I would spend all week practicing for hours on end for this precious stage time that you would be lucky to get, on account of there being 60 other hungry artists hoping for the same. These open mics shaped me as a person and an artist and helped launch my career as a professional musician.”

The 36-year-old grew up in San Diego, beginning his musical persona as an Americana-inclined solo singer-songwriter by night while running an upscale bakery during the daytime. He was still baking cakes when his solo album I Hate Pretty Girls was released, around the same time that he teamed up with singer Sandi King for an acoustic duo called 22 Kings. The pair released a debut album in 2014 and mounted several successful tours over the next two years, including performances at NAMM and SXSW. They also recorded with Alex Wong, producer of Delta Rae’s “Carry the Fire,” before parting musical company earlier this year, with Bybee returning to his solo roots while King plays frequently around town in the King Taylor Project with Joshua Taylor.

“Here’s how I’d describe my music,” explains Bybee. “I like to say it’s like Mumford and Sons meets Foy Vance. So, if a gospel singer joined an Americana band, that would be me.” Among his cited influences are the Lumineers, Paul Simon, Jim Croce, James Taylor, Harry Chapin, and local coffeehouse crooner Jason Mraz.

Video:

"Sweetzer Ave."

...by Sam Bybee

...by Sam Bybee

Sam Bybee will perform a solo set on January 16 at De Oro Mine Company in Spring Valley. You can also catch him hosting the Monday-night Open Mic Grab at 98 Bottles, where he frequently primes the crowd with a few numbers of his own. “All you need is an instrument, 20 minutes of material, and guts to let it shine.”

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?

“My favorite CD right now is Foy Vance’s Wild Swan. His songwriting is a combination of Irish folk and modern pop. His mix of uplifting songs and heart-wrenching lyrics makes for an amazing experience.”

VIDEO GAME JAM?

“Well, I’m not much of a gamer, but I did recently play Assassin’s Creed and loved running around Paris and causing trouble.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

MAGAZINE YOU GRAB IN THE WAITING ROOM?

“Always National Geographic. I love that stuff.”

FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD?

“I live in University Heights, but I like to be all over the map, from Alpine to Ocean Beach.”

WHAT MAKES YOU INSECURE?

“Something I’d like to change about myself is my teeth. Thanks to my English roots, my teeth have always given me issues my whole life.”

MOST VISITED WEBSITE?

“It’s got to be Facebook. As a musician, we kind of have to live on there. It’s an invaluable tool.”

EVER GET THE URGE TO KILL?

“The closest time I’ve ever come to killing anyone was when I was stuck in a tiny car for three months on a national tour. It’s amazing no one was murdered.”

BEST THING YOU EVER HAD TO LET GO OF?

“That slippery ice cream cone.”

CRAZIEST WAY TO MAKE MONEY?

“Music. I still can’t believe people actually pay me to do this.”

WHAT REMAINS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

“Travel the world.”

YOUR BEST PICKUP LINE?

“Hey.”

Past Event

Sam Bybee

  • Monday, January 16, 2017, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • De Oro Mine Co, 9924 Campo Road, Spring Valley
  • 21+ / Free

SONG THAT BEST DESCRIBES YOUR LIFE?

“‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy,’ by Bobby McFerrin. I believe that just trying to be happy can actually make you happy.”

BRUSH WITH FAME?

“I used to house-sit for Kathy Griffin when I lived in L.A.”

SOMETHING USELESS STUCK IN YOUR BRAIN?

“The lyrics to ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles),’ by the Proclaimers. ‘I Would Walk 500 Miles...’”

WHAT’S YOUR POISON?

“Whiskey.”

WHO’S THAT YELLING AT YOU IN THE BACKGROUND?

“My girlfriend. I started answering these questions after telling her we’d go get some food soon.”

OKAY THEN, TELL US SOMETHING THAT FEW WOULD KNOW OR GUESS ABOUT YOU?

“I can juggle like a boss.”

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

3 Tips for Creating a Cozy and Inviting Living Room in San Diego

Next Article

Live Five: Rebecca Jade, Stoney B. Blues, Manzanita Blues, Blame Betty, Marujah

Holiday music, blues, rockabilly, and record releases in Carlsbad, San Carlos, Little Italy, downtown
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader