If you've yet to hear the timeless anthems Iron & Wine, a.k.a. Sam Beam, has put to tape over the past couple of years, please do yourself a favor and take a listen. Some of the most honest, beautiful & delicate whispers of song await you. I had the fortunate opportunity to talk with Sam near the end of his current travel supporting his latest offering on Subpop about the trials of touring, the next album and that mysterious name.

sctas: so where exactly did the name "Iron & Wine" come from?

sam: it's sorta like a home remedy thing, similar to castor oil called beef iron & wine - kinda gross.

sctas: that's crazy - I had searched the internet for it, but nothing matched. so how's touring been - away from your family (Sam is a father of 2), it's gotta be tough -

sam: it's hard, real hard. we did 3 weeks this time and I don't know if I'll ever go out that long again, it's puts a real strain on the whole family. I miss them like crazy - my girls are just too young and my wife works full time and is studying to be a midwife, so I take care of them, and when I'm gone it's tough.

sctas: and you're scheduled to tour Australia with the Shins in December right?

sam: yeah - but that's just for about a week.

sctas: are you excited to travel though, I've never been out of the country?

sam: yes, it should be great. I've been out of the country but not that far.

sctas: it's like everything I read is just about great timing and opportunity for yourself and the band -

sam: yes, totally - we have been very blessed.

sctas: prior to the band, you spent some time in Virginia at VCU right? Did Richmond leave anyhing to be missed?

sam: totally, I would love to live there. I think me and my wife would move there if only midwifery was legal in Virginia.

sctas: hey - that's Virginia. So, totally random question - on the Carissa's Wierd album 'Songs About Leaving', there is a song entitled "the piano song" that has lyrics of yours in it - where did those come from? Is it one of the songs on the early tour ep?

sam: no, that was a line from one of the songs that didn't get released on the full-length.

sctas: so as far as the remaining songs on the tour ep that haven't been released, like "Dead Man's Will" & "Overhead" [as well as "Red Dust"], will any of those songs see a proper release?

sam: well there's an ep in the works with this band Calexico and we've been toying around with the possibilty of including some of those songs.

sctas: that's great - specifically "Dead Man's Will", which is an incredible song. As fas ar the new full-length - has it all been recorded?

sam: yeah - it's all been tracked and I have to go back next month for final mixing & mastering of everything.

sctas: and it was recorded in Chicago with Brian Deck right? I am a huge Modest Mouse fan -

sam: yes. Modest Mouse - me too, definitely. And Red Red Meat.

sctas: but the name Brian Deck is normally associated with "stranger" music like Fireshow & Red Red Meat, not the Iron & Wine sound.

sam: he's actually done some stuff with John Cale recently as well. He's a very respectful producer though, not the kind of guy who tries to make a "Brian Deck Record". He does that stuff with Isaac (Brock) and them because that's the sound they want. For us it was more in capturing the clarity and open mics.

sctas: so how was it recording in a studio versus your house, like this whole new world of opportunity just opened up?

sam: you know, the time clock is just a pain in the ass, but other than that is was fantastic. he has a very cozy studio and the experience to record in that environment is something I had never done before, so it was great.

sctas: did you pick Brian or did the label have more say in it?

sam: I had him in mind, and he had mentioned it to me a while back, so when the time came - we got together.

sctas: so does the project have a title yet?

sam: no, not yet - we recorded like 16 or 17 tracks and we still have to widdle it down before we name it.

sctas: and the current touring members, are they also the studio band?

sam: yeah, they played with me on the last tour - including my sister Sara as well as 2 other guys who play the drums & the bass.

sctas: when you compare all of the incredible reviews of "The Creek Drank The Cradle" , the name Nick Drake has become a staple in comparing your sound. How do you feel about that comparison versus someone like Leonard Cohen?

sam: I mean Nick Drake is definitely the more melodic, and Leonard Cohen can write a great song that runs loops around anything I've written. It's good company though.

sctas: I've read all these various stories about how your tapes made it to Subpop, but the way it actually happened was through your friend Ben (Bridwell) right?

sam: yeah - that's exactly what happened - he's in that band Carissa's Wierd.

sctas: aside from being a cinematography teacher, you are also credited on your albums with photography - like the cover of "The Sea & the Rhythm" ep, is that cover photo one you shot?

sam: yes, it was actually a girlfriend of mine from college (laughter).

sctas: so do you plan on returning to teaching anytime soon?

sam: oh yes, definitely. bands make their money by touring, and I don't get to tour that much - I gotta pay the bills.

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