Sam Obernik

Sam Obernik, born and raised in Ireland, started her career performing on the streets of Dublin alongside Glen Hansard of The Frames. She gained early experience with artists such as Prince, The Rolling Stones, and The Waterboys. After an unsuccessful audition for Alan Parker’s *The Commitments*, she moved to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, she auditioned for Dave Stewart’s band and toured with Terry Hall of The Specials. Following this period, she returned to the U.K. to start a family. In the late 1990s, Obernik fronted her own vaudeville band, which developed a cult following in London venues like Water Rats and The Garage.

Obernik’s commercial breakthrough occurred in 2002 when she provided guest vocals for Tim Deluxe’s track “It Just Won’t Do.” This song reached number 11 on the charts. A solo deal with Warner East West Records followed, but the label ceased operations before the release of her debut album, *Stellify*. Undeterred, she contributed vocals to another Top 40 club track, Linus Loves’ “Stand Back.” She also collaborated with Kylie Minogue producer Tommy D to create a collection of jazz-pop reinterpretations of dancefloor tracks under the name Barefoot. In 2008, Obernik achieved her third chart entry with “Baditude,” a collaboration with DJs Dave Spoon and Paul Harris.

Since 2008, she has continued to contribute to various dance-pop productions, working with artists such as Alex Gaudino and Redroche. Her career has been marked by a consistent presence as an in-demand guest vocalist within the U.K. dance music scene since the early 2000s. She continues to record and perform, developing new collaborations and projects.