Sad House Guest

Sad House Guest makes music because nothing else makes sense. We are an indie-rock band primarily based in Eau Claire, WI with roots in Fargo and Minneapolis. After gigging for a number of years as "Samuel Stein", the name Sad House Guest was born about year into the pandemic to encompass our new fuller and ambitious sound. Our inspiration comes from popular bands such as The Front Bottoms, Death Cab for Cutie, Hippo Campus, and Pinegrove, as well as influences from jam bands, blues, and indie-folk/bluegrass. Our lyrics revolve around topics such as anxiety, hanging out with friends, and everything in-between. We are a 4-piece band with Ben Stein on drums, Sam Lakmann on keys and fun sounds, Samuel Stein on lead vocals and guitar, and Tor Kjartansson on bass and fiddle. We have released two EPs since the birth of our new name (inspired by a line in Fantastic Mr. Fox). The first is Bugs in My Brain which was recorded during the pandemic and features 3 basement pop tunes followed by 2 slow folksy tunes. The second EP, Electric Veins, features the full band on 5 representative songs. Our live shows feature energetic playing, improvisation, and covers of 2010s anthems at any dive bar, basement, porch, brewery, winery, or garage.