2006 Year End Survey | Sam Hughes of The Spinto Band

It's been a hell of a year for Sam Hughes. Last year at this time, he was finishing his final exams at Bennington College. Since then he been pounding the keyboards for The Spinto Band as they've toured Europe, Asia and the US as both headliners and openers for Arctic Monkeys, Art Brut and We are Scientists. The touring has been in support of their great 2005 pop gem of an album, Nice and Nicely Done.

Plus, Sam and his brother, Tom, were featured in Bennington's alumni magazine. Not as cool as touring with Art Brut but they were featured more prominently in the magazine than two other alumni that had been named "Voices of Their Generation" by TIME. That's respect.

One long range date to keep in mind for Vermont Spinto fans is May 19th. That's the day The Spintos will return to campus for Bennington College's 2007 Sunfest. I haven't heard what other bands will be playing but The Spintos are enough to get me down to Bennington.

One other connection between The Spintos and Vermont is the fact that Montpelier's own Tiny Meat was the creator of the Spinto Band wallets they sold on tour this year. MerchMikey with the sweet design.

Well, while awaiting their New Year's show in Philly, Sam sent over his answers to our questions.

1) What was your favorite song of 2006?

"The Champ" - Ghostface Killah

2) What was your favorite album of 2006?

"Fishscale" - Ghostface Killah

3) What was your favorite concert of 2006?

Fuji Rock Festival including perfromances by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, Blackilicious, Fields, Franz Ferdinand, Gnarls Barkely and many more.

4) What was your favorite thing about 2006?

My favorite thing about 2006 was watching Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies win the National League MVP award. It was a good season for him...

5) What are your best wishes for 2007?

I recently subscribed to a beverage trade magazine which I'm getting for free, only because I told them that I was in the industry. Clearly I'm not, but I really like beverages and I hope they don't catch on to me because I really want the magazine.

Ghostface Killah | The Champ | Buy
The Spinto Band | Late | Buy