Transmissions from the Sea of Tranquility couldn't have come at a better time for the band.

"Last year was a rough time for all of us," admits Sean Kelly, referring to the myriad of personal troubles that the band members endured last year, "But right now, I'm seeing things clearer than ever. Music isn't a source of worry for me anymore. We're all much more focused in each of our lives, and that lets the music come through us easier than ever."

Sean credits much of his newfound clarity to a recent therapeutic revelation. "For years I've been talkingand singing about the way our society mistreats the environment. But, all that time, I've been treating people just as poorly by not recognizing or accepting them as individuals. There's been a lot of growing for me in the past year as I learned to open my heart to many different people, and I think my music will reflect that from now on."

Transmissions from the Sea of Tranquility also marks the recorded debut of new band members Rob Somers (guitar), Kenny James (drums) and Alex Matson (keyboards). They join the band's original songwriting core of Sean Kelly (vocals/guitar) and Andy Sheldon (bass/vocals). Most Samples fans will recognize Sean's childhood friend Rob from his stints as guitarist on Sean's solo Lighthouse Rocket and Carnival Disaster tours. (Serious fans will also know that Rob performed with Andy and Sean in a pre-Samples band called The Last Straw.) Alex is a friend and ex-bandmate (The Czars) of Rob's who also somehow survived the Carnival Disaster Tour.

So Sean knew Rob and Rob knew Alex. Everybody knew Kenny. Mr. James has built quite a reputation for himself as the talented drummer for many Denver/Boulder-based rock, jazz and funk bands. And I mean many--as in, say, five different bands at once. He's also the solo, multi-instrumental force behind the recent The Witching Hour release, and he was just named "one of the finest musicians in Denver" by Westword magazine.

"There's no way we could be doing this without Kenny, Rob and Alex," says Sean, "It feels as though there's a breath of fresh air blowing through this band right now, because of them." These talented newcomers are sure to bring that same exciting energy to the proceedings as The Samples return to the road in support of Live Transmissions... this fall. The band's wide-open approach to concert performances ensures that Sean, Andy, the new members and the fans will all be freshly inspired each night as The Samples continue to explore their brand new musical playground.