With influences ranging from multi-genre master Michael Nesmith to geek rockers They Might Be Giants, Sunset Sam has forged a simple, folk/rock style that works to showcase her lyrics.

“Sunset Sam” is the stage name used by singer/songwriter Theresa Houghton. A native of Sand Lake, NY, Theresa began seriously pursuing guitar in the summer of 2001. Though she had been writing poetry and song lyrics on and off for years, she didn’t plan on doing much, if any, songwriting.

That same summer, Theresa attended her second session of the New York State Summer Young Writer’s Institute (NYSSYWI) in Lake George, NY, and was both impressed and inspired by the music of a budding singer/songwriter/guitarist she met there. Theresa had only written one song at the time but, after her week at NYSSYWI, she was motivated to work on more original material.

March of 2005 found Theresa at Perfect Blend in Delmar, NY, playing her first gig. Armed only with a blue acoustic guitar, her voice, and a music stand, she played her way through an hour and a half set in front of an audience consisting mostly of family and friends. Playing this show convinced Theresa that she could, and would, continue pursuing music in this way.

Theresa spent many of her weekends during the summer of 2005 working on tracks for her debut album, It Must Be Thursday. The album was officially released in December of 2005 at Theresa’s first show at Slow Jed’s Mud House in Averill Park, NY.

Since then, Theresa has continued to perform in the Albany/Schenectady/Troy area of NY, visiting such places as Professor Java’s in Albany, Perfect Blend in Delmar, the Muddy Cup in Albany, Coffee Planet in Ballston Spa, and Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. She has shared the stage with local duos Almost Awake and the Bookdrop Bees, and participated in the first Capital Region Acoustic Minibash (hosted by Steve Grogan). She has also appeared on the local music spot in Jim Barrett’s radio show, Kaleidoscope, on 104.9 The EDGE.

In summer of 2007, Theresa released her second album, Glass House, which is now available via her website, CD Baby, and several digital retailers.

In the future, Theresa would like to share the stage with more of the wonderful musicians she's met over the course of her musical journey. She is also an avid knitter, reader, and writer.

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