Long defined by his singular voice and quietly defiant songwriting, Haverhill, UK’s 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, finds him expanding his sound with a full band comprised of guitarist Chris Stockings, bassist Josh Hurrell and drummer Matt Walrond. 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, kicking off with his new single, Gator Lodge.

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 (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 Industries, sparking a creative partnership that continues to this day. Sam Russo has also announced tour dates spanning the UK, Canada and the US that culminate in an appearance at The Fest, you can view Sam Russo‘s tour dates here.

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.

“This record will take you to some of the places my music has taken me. I wrote it with my feet in the sand in California, walking around gravestones in Chicago, lost in a Washington casino, and sweating through some long Florida nights. I brought all that back to a Suffolk industrial estate to make a record that celebrates feeling and living in the moment, no matter how painful those moments can be. It’s full band, it’s acoustic, it’s all heart.” (Sam Russo)

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