Iron & Wine

The name Iron & Wine is taken from a dietary supplement named "Beef, Iron & Wine" that he found in a general store while shooting a film.

Iron & Wine studied at Florida State University, Chapin High School and Florida State University College of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are folk music and country music. Works named in the authority record are Norfolk.

• Name — Iron & Wine • Birth Name — Samuel Ervin Beam • Born — 26 July 1974 • Birthplace — Chapin, South Carolina, U.S. • Instrument — * Vocals • guitar • banjo • piano • percussion • harmonica • bass • Genre — * Folk • folk rock • indie folk • Label — * Sub Pop • Warner Bros. • 4AD • Nonesuch • Black Cricket Recording Co. • Website — www.ironandwine.com • Illustration — Iron & Wine at a 2006 concert at Brooklyn's McCarren Park Pool

Beam was raised in Chapin, South Carolina, where his father worked in land management and his mother was a schoolteacher. When he was a child, his family took regular trips to the country, where his grandfather ran a farm. He attended Seven Oaks Elementary School and Chapin High School. While home from college, he was a waiter at California Dreaming restaurant in Columbia. Beam earned a bachelor's degree in art from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He specialized in painting before graduating from the Florida State University Film School with an MFA degree. Before the release of the first Iron & Wine album, Beam's main source of income was as a professor of film and cinematography at the University of Miami and Miami International University of Art & Design. He had been writing songs for over seven years before a friend lent him a four-track recorder. One of Beam's home recordings came to the attention of Ben Bridwell, of Band of Horses, and eventually to Mike McGonigal, editor of Yeti magazine. McGonigal chose the song "Dead Man's Will", later released on In the Reins, for inclusion on one of his magazine's compilation CDs. Jonathan Poneman of Sub Pop records contacted Beam to propose a deal.

Beam released his first Iron & Wine album, The Creek Drank the Cradle, on the Sub Pop label in 2002. Beam wrote, performed, recorded and produced the album in his home studio. Featuring acoustic guitars, banjo, and slide guitar, the album's music has been compared to that of Nick Drake, Simon and Garfunkel, Elliott Smith, Neil Young and John Fahey. Also in 2002, Beam recorded a cover of The Postal Service's then-unreleased song "Such Great Heights". Rather than being included on an Iron & Wine release, the track was initially included as a b-side of the original version by The Postal Service. It was later included on the B-sides and rarities album, Around the Well. He then followed up on his debut album in 2003 with The Sea & The Rhythm, an EP containing other home-recorded tracks with a similar style to the songs on the debut. Beam's second full-length album, Our Endless Numbered Days (2004), was recorded in a professional studio with a significant increase in fidelity. Produced in Chicago by Brian Deck, the focus was still on acoustic material, but the inclusion of other band members gave rise to a slightly different sound. That same year, he recorded the song "The Trapeze Swinger" for the film In Good Company, and had his version of "Such Great Heights" featured in an advertisement for M&M's and in the film and soundtrack for Garden State. This version was later used in a 2006 Ask.com advertisement, and eventually released as a single in 2006 backed with recordings of "The Trapeze Swinger" and "Naked as We Came" made for Radio Vienna. • Illustration — Sarah Beam, Samuel's sister, at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland In February 2005, he released an EP entitled Woman King, which expanded on the sounds of his previous LP with the addition of electric guitars. Each track features a spiritual female figure, and had Biblical overtones. The EP In the Reins, a collaboration with the Arizona-based rock band Calexico, was released in September 2005. Beam wrote all of the EP's songs years earlier, but Calexico added their trademark fusion of southwestern rock, traditional Mexican music and jazz to the songs' arrangements. Several tracks, most notably, "Burn That Broken Bed", feature brass instruments, a first for Beam's music. The third full-length Iron & Wine album, entitled The Shepherd's Dog, was released September 25, 2007. This album was voted one of the ten best of 2007 by Paste magazine. Contributors included Joey Burns and Paul Niehaus of Calexico, as well as jazz musicians Matt Lux and Bob Burger. When asked to describe the album to The Independent, Beam remarked that "it's not a political propaganda record, but it's definitely inspired by political confusion, because I was really taken aback when Bush got reelected." Beam has released most of his music on iTunes, including several exclusive EPs. The Iron & Wine iTunes Exclusive EP features unreleased studio recordings, including a Stereolab cover and two tracks which had previously only appeared on vinyl. The Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) features Beam and his sister, Sarah Beam, performing a number of tracks from his albums, as well as a cover of New Order's "Love Vigilantes". Sarah Beam has contributed backing vocals on many of Beam's studio recordings. Beam's music has appeared in television series such as Grey's Anatomy, The L Word and House M.D. "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" was used in the film Twilight. The song was specifically chosen for the film's prom scene by Kristen Stewart, the female lead, and appears on the film's soundtrack. The B-sides and rarities album Around the Well was released in 2009. Iron & Wine also contributed the song "Stolen Houses (Die)" to the AIDS benefit album Dark Was the Night produced by the Red Hot Organization. On November 26, 2010, Iron & Wine released a special edition Record Store Day Black Friday 12" vinyl and CD single called, Walking Far From Home for independent record stores. Kiss Each Other Clean, Iron & Wine's fourth full-length album, was released on January 25, 2011, on Warner Bros. Records in North America and 4AD for the rest of the world. With this album, Beam blended his earlier styles with a stronger pop influence. • Illustration — Beam in concert in Atlanta on August 5, 2024 Ghost on Ghost, Iron & Wine's fifth studio album, was released in April 2013 on Nonesuch Records in North America and 4AD for the rest of the world. Ghost on Ghost marked a further exploration into the pop sounds of Kiss Each Other Clean while also exhibiting jazz and R&B influences, with jazz drummer Brian Blade contributing to the album. In January 2014, recording during the polar vortex in Chicago, Beam and his regular collaborator Brian Deck co-produced eight of the ten songs on Chadwick Stokes' 2015 album The Horse Comanche. Beam contributed the Iron & Wine band to the sessions and sang backing vocals. Iron & Wine released two albums in 2015. Archive Series: Volume 1, released in February, featured unreleased songs recorded during the same period as The Creek Drank the Cradle. A covers album, Sing Into My Mouth, recorded with Band of Horses singer Ben Bridwell, was released in July. Love Letter for Fire, an album of duets with American singer-songwriter Jesca Hoop, was released in 2016 on Sub Pop. Produced, recorded, and mixed by Tucker Martine, the album also featured contributions from Wilco's Glenn Kotche, Rob Burger, Eyvind Kang, Sebastian Steinberg, and Edward Rankin-Parker. In August 2017, Iron & Wine's sixth studio album Beast Epic was released through Sub Pop Records. The record saw Beam strip back the production and array of instruments from previous records to return to more simple and melodic song structures. On March 21, 2019, Calexico and Iron & Wine announced Years to Burn, their first collaboration album. It was released on June 14, 2019, via Sub Pop. Live at Third Man Records was released in 2019, after being recorded on August 31, 2017. In 2024, Iron & Wine released their seventh studio album, Light Verse and a cover of American Football's Never Meant.

Beam, his wife Kim, and their five daughters live in Durham, North Carolina. He was raised in the Bible belt as a Christian, but is now an agnostic: "That was a confusing time for me, but I don't miss being misled. I'm not an atheist. There's an undeniable unseen world that some people call God and think they know more about than other people. I try not to get hung up on the names."

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications • Title — Details — Peak chart positions — Sales — Certifications • US — AUS — BEL (FL) — CAN — IRE — NLD — NOR — SCO — SWE — UK • The Creek Drank the Cradle — * Released: September 24, 2002 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: cassette, CD, LP — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • Our Endless Numbered Days — * Released: March 23, 2004 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, LP — 158 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — *US: 200,000 — * RIAA US certification: Gold • The Shepherd's Dog — * Released: September 25, 2007 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — 24 — 98 — 84 — — — 75 — — — 24 — 92 — — — 74 — *US: 197,000 — * RIAA: Gold • Kiss Each Other Clean — * Released: January 25, 2011 * Label: 4AD, Warner * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — 2 — 36 — 43 — 15 — 14 — 54 — 10 — 28 — 24 — 32 — *US: 125,000 • Ghost on Ghost — * Released: April 16, 2013 * Label: 4AD, Nonesuch * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — 26 — — — 61 — — — 31 — 88 — 32 — 34 — 43 — 40 — *US: 51,000 • Beast Epic — * Released: August 25, 2017 * Label: Black Cricket, Sub Pop * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — 44 — 83 — 58 — 77 — 95 — 93 — — — 30 — — — 60 • Light Verse — * Released: April 26, 2024 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 49 — — — — • Hen’s Teeth — * Released: February 27, 2026 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 87 — — — — • "—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory

List of collaborative albums, with selected chart positions • Title — Details — Peak chart positions • US — AUT — BEL (FL) — BEL (WA) — GER — IRE — NLD — SCO — SWI — UK • Sing into My Mouth (with Ben Bridwell) — * Released: July 17, 2015 * Label: Brown, Black Cricket * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — 116 — — — 111 — 158 — — — 83 — 67 — — — — — 191 • Love Letter for Fire (with Jesca Hoop) — * Released: April 15, 2016 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — 173 — — — — — — — — — — — — — 91 — — — 163 • Years to Burn (with Calexico) — * Released: June 14, 2019 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — — — 13 — 38 — — — 16 — — — 55 — 38 — 46 — — • "—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory

• Title — Details • Iron & Wine Live Bonnaroo — * Released: June 11, 2005 * Label: Axis Festival * Formats: CD, digital download • Norfolk 6/20/05 — * Released: April 18, 2009 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: LP • Morning Becomes Eclectic — * Released: December 5, 2011 * Label: Black Cricket * Formats: CD, LP • Live at Third Man Records — * Released: July 26, 2019 * Label: Third Man * Formats: LP, digital download

• Title — Details — Peak chart positions • UK Amer. — UK OST • Who Can See Forever Soundtrack — * Released: November 7, 2023 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — 25 — 15

List of collaborative albums, with selected chart positions • Title — Details — Peak chart positions • US — US Folk — US Indie — US Rock — UK — UK Amer. • Around the Well — * Released: May 19, 2009 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — 25 — — — 3 — 9 — 154 — 11 • Archive Series Volume No. 1 — * Released: February 24, 2015 * Label: Black Cricket * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — — — 10 — 26 — 38 — — — — • Archive Series Volume No. 4 — * Released: October 11, 2017 * Label: Black Cricket * Formats: digital download, LP — — — — — — — — — — — — • Archive Series Volume No. 5 — * Released: May 7, 2021 * Label: Black Cricket, Sub Pop * Formats: CD, digital download, LP — — — — — — — — — — — 14 • Archive Series Volume No. 6 — * Released: June 13, 2024 * Label: Black Cricket * Formats: LP — — — — — — — — — — — — • "—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory

List of EPs, with selected chart positions • Title — Details — Peak chart positions • US — US Folk — US Indie — SCO — UK Sales — UK Amer. — UK Indie • Iron & Wine Tour EP — * Released: 2002 * Label: Patchwork Music * Formats: CD — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • The Sea & The Rhythm — * Released: September 9, 2003 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download — — — — — 37 — — — — — — — — • Iron & Wine iTunes Exclusive EP — * Released: June 22, 2004 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: digital download — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • Woman King — * Released: February 22, 2005 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download — 128 — — — 13 — — — — — — — 42 • In the Reins (with Calexico) — * Released: September 12, 2005 * Label: Overcoat * Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download — 135 — — — 12 — — — — — — — 21 • Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) — * Released: February 7, 2006 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: digital download — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • Live at Lollapalooza 2006 — * Released: September 12, 2006 * Label: self-released * Formats: digital download — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • Weed Garden — * Released: August 31, 2018 * Label: Sub Pop * Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download — — — 19 — 13 — 81 — 86 — 2 — 30 • Lori — * Released: September 16, 2022 * Label: Black Cricket * Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download * Note: Covers of Lori McKenna songs — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • Making Good Time (with Ben Bridwell) — * Released: September 12, 2025 * Label: Brown, Black Cricket * Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download — — — — — — — — — — — — — — • "—" denotes a release that did not chart or was not released in that territory

• Title — Year — Peak chart positions — Certifications — Album • US AAA — US Rock — BEL (FL) Tip — SCO — UK Phys. — UK Indie • "Call Your Boys" / "Dearest Forsaken" — 2002 — — — — — — — — — — — — • "Such Great Heights" — 2003 — — — — — — — 82 — 87 — 17 — * RIAA: Gold — "Such Great Heights" single • "No Moon" / "Sinning Hands" — 2004 — — — — — — — — — — — — • "Passing Afternoon" — — — — — — — — — — — — — Our Endless Numbered Days • "The Trapeze Swinger" — 2005 — — — — — — — — — — — — — rowspan="2" • "Arms of a Thief" / "Serpent Charmer" — 2007 — — — — — — — — — — — — • "Boy with a Coin" — — — — — — — 54 — 71 — — — * RIAA: Gold — The Shepherd's Dog • "Dark Eyes" (with Calexico) — 2007 — — — — — — — — — — — — • "Lovesong of the Buzzard" — 2008 — — — — — — — — — — — — — The Shepherd's Dog • "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" — — — — — — — — — — — 19 — * RIAA: Platinum *BPI: Silver • "Love Vigilantes" — 2009 — — — — — — — — — — — — • "Walking Far from Home" — 2010 — — — — — — — — — 32 — — — Kiss Each Other Clean • "Me and Lazarus" — 2011 — — — — — — — — — — — — • "Tree by the River" — 12 — — — — — — — — — — • "One More Try" / "Trouble" — 2012 — — — — — — — — — 72 — — • "Lovers' Revolution" — 2013 — — — — — — — — — — — — — Ghost on Ghost • "Grace for Saints and Ramblers" — — — — — — — — — 19 — — • "Forever Young" (with Rhiannon Giddens) — 2015 — — — 32 — — — — — — — — • "Albuquerque" / "It's The Same Old Song" — — — — — — — — — 24 — — — Archive Series Volume No. 2 • "Time After Time" — 2016 — — — — — — — — — — — — • "Stranger Lay Beside Me " / "Miss Bottom Of The Hill" — 2017 — — — — — — — — — 86 — — — Archive Series Volume No. 3 • "Call It Dreaming" — — — — — — — — — — — — — *RIAA: Gold — Beast Epic • "Bitter Truth" — — — — — — — — — — — — • "Song in Stone" — — — — — — — — — — — — • "Father Mountain" (with Calexico) — 2019 — 35 — — — 45 — — — — — — — Years to Burn • "Like Patsy Would" — 2022 — — — — — — — — — 38 — — — Lori • "You Never Know" — 2024 — — — — — — — — — — — — — Light Verse • "All in Good Time" — 25 — — — — — — — — — — • "Never Meant" — — — — — — — — — — — — — American Football (Covers) • "In Your Ocean" — 2026 — 12 — — — — — — — — — — — Hen's Teeth • "Grace Notes" — — — — — — — — — — — — • "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

• Title — Year — Certifications — Album • "Naked as We Came" — 2004 — * RIAA: Gold — Our Endless Numbered Days

• "Southern Anthem" (2002) • "Lion's Mane" (2002) • "Boy with a Coin" (2007) • "Joy" (2013) • "Call It Dreaming" (2017) • "Thomas County Law" (2017) • "Bitter Truth" (2018) • "Last Night" (2018)

• The Six Parts Seven's Lost Notes from Forgotten Songs (2003) – "Sleeping Diagonally" • The O.C. Soundtrack (2004) – "The Sea & the Rhythm" • Garden State Soundtrack (2004) – "Such Great Heights" • Sweetheart: Love Songs (2004) – "Ab's Song" (The Marshall Tucker Band cover) • L Word: Season Two Soundtrack (2004) – "Naked as We Came" • Grey's Anatomy: Season Two Soundtrack (2004) – "Naked as We Came" • In Good Company (2004) – "Naked as We Came", "Sunset Soon Forgotten", "The Trapeze Swinger" • Fighting in a Sack (2004) – "New Slang (Featuring Iron & Wine) [Live]" • KCRW Sounds Eclectic Volume 3 (2005) – "Waitin' for a Superman" (Flaming Lips cover) • I Am a Cold Rock. I Am Dull Grass. (2006) – "We All, Us Three, Will Ride" • I'm Not There Soundtrack (2007) – "Dark Eyes" (with Calexico) • The Road Mix Volume 3, music from One Tree Hill (2007) – "He Lays in the Reins" (with Calexico) • Acoustic 07 (2007) – "Naked as We Came" • Numb3rs Season 3, Episode 19, "Pandora's Box" (2007) – "Naked as We Came" • Friday Night Lights Season 1, Episode 12 (2007) – "Upward Over the Mountain" • Friday Night Lights: Original Television Soundtrack (2007) – "Dead Man's Will" (with Calexico) • Twilight Soundtrack (2008) – "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" • 90210 Season 1, Episode 18, "Off the Rails" (2008) – "Cinder & Smoke" • House M.D. • Season 4, Episode 16 (Season Finale, Part 2) "Wilson's Heart" (2008) – "Passing Afternoon" • Season 6, Episode 1 (Season Premiere, Part 1) "Broken" (2009) – "Love Vigilantes" (New Order cover) • Dark Was the Night (2009) – "Stolen Houses (Die)" • Ugly Betty Season 3, Episode 16 (2009) – "Naked as We Came" • The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2009) – "Naked as We Came" • Misfits Season 1, Episode 6 (2009) – "Such Great Heights" • TiMER (2009) – "The Trapeze Swinger" • The Last Song Soundtrack (2010) – "Each Coming Night" • Degrassi Season 10, Episode 31, "Halo, Part 2" (2010) – "Passing Afternoon" • Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Soundtrack (2011) – "Flightless Bird, American Mouth (wedding version)" • The Lone Ranger: Wanted (Music Inspired by the Film) (2013) – "Rattling Bone" • The Resident Season 5, Episode 5 (2021) – "Naked as We Came"