Sam Steffen is a singer-songwriter based in Edmonton, Alberta whose songs are the torchwood for a new generation of folk music that has learned from the best stuff in the tradition. Originally from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA, where he first began sharing his music at Godfrey Daniels open mic, Sam's versatile musicianship, finger-picking, and storytelling has now made him an outstanding voice in the Americana folk genre. With songs ranging from the personal to the political, his songs will make you laugh, cry——and will leave you singing. He’s been crafting folk tunes for nearly fifteen years, now, and has a vast arsenal of original music to show for it. Since 2013 he’s released 19 full length self-published albums. With a storied career that has taken him across international borders from the US to Canada by way of Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Idaho, Sam’s songs have been featured in radio programs, podcasts, academic lectures, political protests, worship services, bars, restaurants, coffeehouses, concert venues, festivals, street corners, weddings, funerals, and living rooms. In 2025, he received the “Emerging Artist” award at the Edmonton Folk Festival. He currently lives in Edmonton, Alberta with his wife and dog.
“… the biggest surprise was Edmonton’s Sam Steffen who, having lived most of his life in the U.S., referred to that as ‘home.’ Sam’s a modern-day Woody Guthrie with songs understandably critical of that home. He says he loves to portray American history from the perspective of those ‘screwed by it,’ and on two of his very clever songs (one of them a salute to whistleblowers) he did that well."
— Larry Saidman, Roots Music Canada, "Saturday at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival: Mary Gauthier, Taj Mahal and a tweener highlight" (11 Aug 2025)
“…Steffen was the biggest discovery. Playing solo guitar at the District Coffee House, his powerful and expressive songs of our times spoke to an attentive audience. He conjured up thoughts of what it may have been like to hear Bob Dylan in his early days."
— Peter Dervin, No Depression, reviewing Treefort Fest (April 2024)
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samsteffenmusic@gmail.com