Sample this: Colorado group brings eclectic sounds to Axis

Alex Matson, keyboardist of The Samples for the past four years, said he sometimes feels he has to pinch himself.\n"(Being in a band) is what I've wanted to do since I was 16," Matson said. "When you share the stage with somebody huge and get to meet the guys, and look over their gear and get the overall vibe.\n"We've been in the company of several heavy hitters in the business and when you see they're ordinary people and that they take tomatoes off their sandwich, too, you just feel a part of the whole thing."\nThe Samples, with guitarists/vocalists Sean Kelly and Rob Somers, bassist Andy Sheldon and percussionist Sam Young, have produced 11 albums since 1989 and will bring their tour to Bloomington Sept. 10 at Axis to promote their latest album, Return to Earth.\n"The vibe was great in the studio. We recorded in a century old church where the pews used to be and converted the church office into a studio control room and the recording system was entirely computer-based," Matson says, stopping himself from getting into the technical details of the album's sound. \n"It's a neat dichotomy in terms of old and new. I'm pretty proud of the it."\nSheldon, a founding member of the group, shares Matson's dedication to playing music. Though he says he understands that 11 years of touring and recording is strenuous and at times a sacrifice, he says making an eclectic and diverse album like Return to Earth reminds him of his deep appreciation for music.\n"It's one of the best recordings we've ever made," Sheldon says. "It's a little bit of everything from harder edge guitars right down to acoustic. I'd say it's a blend of folk, pop, world beat and rock. Some songs are very much like songs that you'd expect to hear from us, but there's always that area of our album that ventures a little farther."\nAs with most musicians, developing their live show is also an area The Samples try to venture further into. Though formed in Colorado, many of The Samples have Burlington, Vermont roots --home of a large hippie culture and the celebrated Phish -- whose influences found their way into The Samples early work, which was heavily instrumental. \nMatson says that since the departure of the band's former keyboardist and drummer, The Samples have progressed. They improvise less and play more songs per concert, but still maintain a sound that he classifies as "soulful and yet danceable and that's what this band's trump card is."\n"For the most part, we still try and play things a little differently every night. There's a sense of mystery there because we're not playing it just like on the album," Sheldon adds. "We've also just naturally gotten tighter and we're able to listen more to each other. We've definitely evolved and as we try different styles, we improve without even knowing it -- just by playing live so many times we gain the ability to hear one another and work off that groove."\nThough Matson is still a new addition compared to other band members, he also senses the natural "groove" between the Samples and relies on it to keep him motivated.\n"When you have a really cool musical moment on stage -- usually at least once a night and sometimes for the whole show -- you just feel so in sync," Matson says. "It really makes you believe in what you're doing and it all comes together. It's during these inspired moments when I consider myself a lucky person. We believe in the music and enjoy each other's company and until someone makes us stop we probably won't."\nSenior Joe Choma says he hopes Matson is right. Struggling to remember how many Samples shows he's attended, he classifies their sound as Bob Marley meets the Police meets Neil Young, influences he says are evident during their concerts. \n"I've probably been to over 20 shows," Choma says proudly. "The first time I ever saw them live was here at Hoosierfest my freshman year and we all went and somehow got on stage during the show and got to meet them. It was a pretty exciting night."\nChoma not only enjoys their music but also respects their message. He says that in an industry where popular music can emphasize image and conformity, The Samples should be commended for maintaining their individual sound and down-to-earth stage presence.\n"Instead of worrying about commercializing or following trends of the music industry, they have decided to take things in own hands and do their own stuff," Choma says. "They don't want to be a band of the moment but stick with what they believe in. It's very commendable. So many are willing to sacrifice integrity just to get big and (The Samples) are in it for the real reasons."\nSerious fans like Choma do not go unnoticed -- Sheldon says fans act as a motivating force for the band, which solidifies why he has dedicated his life and career to making music.\n"I think every night I play, when I actually see the people who come, that verifies right there that I'm doing something good and positive and it makes me feel great-that a bunch of other people can enjoy it," Sheldon says with enthusiasm. "The fact that I'm doing what I want for this long and make a living out of it -- I could never take that for granted"