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Sam Farrar
Sam Farrar
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Sam John Farrar (born June 29, 1978)[2][3] is an American musician. He is best known as a member of the pop band Maroon 5, in which he plays several instruments, primarily bass guitar since 2020, where he took over from Mickey Madden after his departure following an arrest on domestic violence charges. A frequent collaborator with the band since the 1990s, he joined as a touring member in 2012 and was promoted to an official member in 2016.[4] He has also been the bassist for the rock band Phantom Planet since their formation in 1994.

Key Information

Career

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1994–2012: Phantom Planet and other side projects

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Farrar is the bass guitar player for the American rock band Phantom Planet. He also joined the band Operation Aloha with members of Gomez and Maroon 5.[5] He and his wife, Stephanie, have started their own music project, called Bubble and Strife.

2012–present: Maroon 5

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In 2012, Farrar became a touring member of Maroon 5, playing various instruments, including guitars, occasional bass guitar, percussion and additional keyboards, singing backing vocals and providing samples and other special effects (using the MPC).

A longtime collaborator of the band, he co-wrote and co-produced a few of the band's songs on almost all of their studio albums and also remixed one of their songs, which is called "Woman", on Call and Response: The Remix Album, released in 2008. On August 31, 2012 – during a show in Argentina on the Overexposed Tour – Farrar filled-in for Mickey Madden on the bass guitar for the first time since 2001.[6] He subsequently filled-in for Madden on the next few shows of the tour.[7]

After touring with the band for the next couple of years, Farrar was named an official member in late 2017, with the release of Red Pill Blues.[8] He replaced Madden as bassist in 2020.

Personal life

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Farrar was born in Los Angeles, California,[1] to Australian parents. His father, John Farrar, was a member of The Shadows and also carved a successful songwriting career, penning many of Olivia Newton-John's big hits as well as producing nearly every one of her albums during her most successful years. His mother, Pat Carroll, was a successful Australian pop singer in the 1960s. He attended The Buckley School.

Farrar married Stephanie Eitel in 2007,[9] formerly a member of the band Agent Sparks.[10] Their daughter was born in 2009, and their son in 2014.[11] He is the older brother of musician, composer and producer Max Farrar, who is the keyboardist and guitarist of the rock band Azura,[12][13][14] and whose work also ranges from The Script to Lewis Capaldi.[15]

Discography

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With Hanson

With Operation Aloha

With Sara Bareilles

With Bubble and Strife

  • My Lifetime for Blondes (EP) (2011)[16]

With Jasmine Ash

  • Beneath the Noise (2012)

With John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John

With Oh Land

With Tony Lucca

  • With the Whole World Watching (2013)

With Rozzi Crane

  • Rozzi Crane (EP) (2013)
  • Space (EP) (2015)
  • Time (EP) (2015)

With Shoffy

  • Lenses (2018)
  • Cool Again (2020)

With Andy Grammer

With Yuna

With SuperM

With Duncan Laurence

With Band of Horses

With Mandy Moore

Maroon 5

[edit]
As an outside collaborator
As a touring member
  • Overexposed (2012) – production and songwriting ("Ladykiller", "Fortune Teller" and "Tickets"), backing vocals, programming
  • V (2014) – backing vocals ("Unkiss Me" and "This Summer" – the latter song is from the 2015 re-release of V), programming
As an official member
  • Red Pill Blues (2017) – producing, keyboards, bass guitar, synthesizer, samples, lead and rhythm guitar, programming, backing vocals
  • Jordi (2021) – producing, keyboards, bass guitar, synthesizer, samples, lead and rhythm guitar, programming, backing vocals
  • Love Is Like (2025) – bass; additional keyboards; percussion; programming; co-producer; additional producer; engineering

Phantom Planet

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Remixes

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2008

  • "Woman" – Maroon 5 (Sam Farrar Remix)

2010

  • "Unspoken" – Weezer (Sam Farrar Remix)

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Samuel John Farrar (born June 29, 1978) is an American musician, record producer, songwriter, and , best known as the for the band and as a touring and recording member of the band Maroon 5. Born in , , to Australian-born music producer and songwriter and Australian singer and artist , Farrar was immersed in the music industry from a young age. In the late 1990s, he joined as , contributing to their debut album Phantom Planet Is Missing (1998) and subsequent releases like The Guest (2002) and Raise the Dead (2008). The band achieved notable exposure when their song "California" was selected as the theme for the Fox television series (2003–2007), helping to elevate their profile in the scene. Farrar first collaborated with Maroon 5 in the early 2000s, sharing a home with frontman and co-writing early song ideas for their debut album (2002). He became an official touring member in 2012, providing multi-instrumental support on guitar, bass, keyboards, and percussion for albums including Overexposed (2012), (2014), (2017), (2021), and Love Is Like (2025), and later transitioned to a permanent recording role around 2016. As a producer and songwriter, Farrar has worked with artists such as , , and , and co-wrote the platinum-certified single "Don't Give Up on Me" for as well as the top-10 hit "Calm Down" for All Time Low. Beyond music, he occasionally creates visual art and has composed for film soundtracks, including (2019).

Early life

Family background

Sam Farrar was born on June 29, 1978, in , . His parents are , an Australian-born songwriter, record producer, and guitarist renowned for his collaborations with , including hits like "Have You Never Been Mellow" and "You're the One That I Want," and , an Australian singer active in the who performed as part of the duo Pat and Olivia alongside . Farrar grew up in a deeply musical household, immersed in the industry from an early age due to his parents' prominent careers; his family relocated from to in the mid-1970s, where he was surrounded by music professionals and influences. He has a younger brother, Max Farrar, who is also a , , and .

Education

Sam Farrar attended The Buckley School, a private K-12 preparatory institution in , , where he graduated in 1996. His family's encouragement played a role in fostering his musical interests during his school years, leading him to begin playing guitar and other instruments as a young student. At Buckley, Farrar engaged in early musical activities, including performing and developing his skills on bass and guitar, which marked the start of his commitment to music. Upon graduating, Farrar transitioned directly from education to full-time pursuits in the music industry, building on the foundation established during high school.

Career

Phantom Planet

Sam Farrar co-founded in 1994 alongside vocalist and rhythm guitarist , joining as the band's at the age of 16. The Los Angeles-based group quickly established itself in the local scene, with Farrar contributing bass lines and backing vocals that anchored the band's melodic sound. Early performances included gigs at venues like The Troubadour, helping build a following before signing with . The band's debut album, Phantom Planet Is Missing (also known as their untitled release), arrived in , showcasing Farrar's foundational role in tracks driven by his steady bass work and occasional co-writing contributions. Following this, Phantom Planet toured the U.S. club circuit and supported acts like , honing their live energy through sets that emphasized tight instrumentation and Greenwald's charismatic frontmanship. Their second album, The Guest (2002), marked a breakthrough, propelled by the track "," which Farrar helped shape with his rhythmic bass and harmonies; the song became the theme for the Fox series The O.C., boosting the band's visibility and leading to wider tours, including slots on the Vans Warped Tour in 2003. After releasing the self-titled Phantom Planet in 2004 and the fan-club exclusive Negatives (a collection of B-sides and outtakes), the group issued Raise the Dead (2008) under Fueled by Ramen, where Farrar continued as bassist and backing vocalist amid a shift toward more experimental rock elements. The album supported a final pre-hiatus tour, featuring high-energy shows at festivals like Lollapalooza. Phantom Planet entered an indefinite hiatus in late 2008, though they briefly reunited for select performances in 2012, including a homecoming show at The Troubadour. The band fully reconvened in 2019 for their 25th , with Farrar reprising his bass and backing vocal duties on the delayed-release Devastator (2020), which drew from sessions dating back to the hiatus era. This reunion spurred a renewed touring schedule, including headline dates across the U.S. and appearances at venues like Elsewhere in , reaffirming 's enduring live rapport. As Farrar's commitments with intensified in the early 2010s, transitioned into an occasional side project.

Maroon 5

Sam Farrar joined as a touring in 2012 during the band's Overexposed World Tour, where he performed on guitars, occasional , percussion, and additional keyboards. His role expanded to include backing vocals and synthesizers in live settings, leveraging his prior experience with to adapt quickly to the band's high-energy performances. This tour marked 's first global outing post their album Overexposed, spanning over 100 dates across , , and . Farrar contributed to Maroon 5's fifth studio album V (2014) as a touring member, providing additional instrumentation on tracks like "Maps" and "Sugar," including guitar and percussion elements that enhanced the album's upbeat production. He became an official band member in 2017, appearing in promotional materials for the sixth album Red Pill Blues, where he played bass, keyboards, and rhythm guitar on songs such as "Don't Wanna Know" and "What Lovers Do." This elevation coincided with the Red Pill Blues World Tour (2018–2019), a major arena trek that sold out venues worldwide and featured Farrar's prominent multi-instrumental setups during hits like "Girls Like You." In 2020, following Mickey Madden's departure from the band, Farrar assumed the role of permanent bassist, solidifying his position in the core lineup alongside , , James Valentine, and . He contributed bass and keyboards to the seventh Jordi (2021), notably on the lead single "Memories," which became a streaming hit and tribute to late producer Jordan Feldstein. During this period, received Grammy recognition, including a shared win for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "" in 2016, with Farrar participating in subsequent award-season performances. Farrar's tenure has aligned with Maroon 5's commercial peaks, including chart-topping singles like "" (2012) and "" (2011, extended into tours), though his direct involvement began with live renditions of later hits such as "Animals" from . The band undertook the Future Classic Tour in 2017 and a 2021–2022 itinerary supporting , adapting to pandemic constraints with drive-in concerts before resuming full-scale shows. In 2025, Farrar played bass and additional synthesizers on Maroon 5's eighth studio album Love Is Like, released August 15 via , which explores themes of modern romance and through 10 tracks blending pop and electronic elements. Key singles include the title track "Love Is Like" featuring , a anthem peaking at No. 5 on the , and "Hideaway," emphasizing introspective lyrics over upbeat rhythms. The album's release launched the Love Is Like Tour, a 2025 world tour starting in with dates at venues like in , where Farrar handles bass leads and keyboard solos in the setlist.

Production and songwriting

Sam Farrar began his production and songwriting career in the early , collaborating with a range of artists to craft pop, rock, and alternative tracks characterized by his multi-instrumental expertise and electronic integrations. For instance, he produced recordings for country-folk singer , including the All Likkered Up (2005), where he handled production duties alongside bass and additional . Similarly, Farrar contributed background vocals to "Meet Me in the City" for the British rock band Gomez's Split the Difference (2004), adding to the track's sound. His work extended to pop artists in the late and early , including production on Agent Sparks' "Funny Foolish" from their album (2006) and Jesca Hoop's "Seed of Wonder" from Kismet (2007), where he emphasized layered arrangements using synthesizers and programming. Farrar also collaborated with , co-writing "Gonna Get Over You" for her album Kaleidoscope Heart (2010) and producing the holiday single "Love Is Christmas" (2011), incorporating and piano-driven elements for an intimate pop sound. In addition, he provided songwriting and production for Augustana's "Steal Your Heart" on their self-titled 2011 album, focusing on melodic hooks and rhythmic layering. Farrar's production techniques often involve multi-instrumental layering, drawing on tools like and to infuse organic instrumentation with electronic beats and effects, creating polished yet dynamic tracks suitable for both studio and live settings. This approach has notably enhanced his contributions to , where he co-wrote and programmed "Ladykiller" for their 2012 album Overexposed, adding percussive and synth elements to the band's pop-rock framework. In more recent years, Farrar has focused on high-profile projects tied to , co-producing their eighth studio album Love Is Like (2025), which features his bass work, engineering, and co-writing across tracks recorded at studios like Conway and Westlake. He also served as a producer on the band's 2025 single "Priceless" featuring LISA, blending influences with layered vocals and instrumentation. These efforts underscore his role in evolving 's sound toward more contemporary electronic-pop hybrids.

Other activities

Visual art

Sam Farrar has pursued visual throughout his life, parallel to his music career, beginning with and sketching in journals during his high school years and continuing as an ongoing creative outlet. He describes as something that "just sort of happened" after others began reacting positively to his work, evolving from personal doodles into more structured projects. Farrar's preferred mediums include on , Sharpie with Out, pens on maps, and markers on , often applied to found or thematic surfaces like street to create layered, illustrative compositions. His work emphasizes intricate line work and color accents, reflecting a spontaneous yet deliberate style honed through years of experimentation. Notable pieces include the "Nashville Commission," an 11” x 14” -on- drawing created as a custom work, and "," an 18” x 20” -on- piece inspired by the city's layout. Larger commissions feature the " Commission," measuring 26” x 35” and executed with Sharpie, Out, and pens on a map, alongside the 27” x 40” "Concrete Jungle (Lyric Map) NY NY," a lyric map tied to a song collaboration with . These works exemplify his "SAMAPS" series, a collection of over 90 drawings based on local street from cities visited during the 2016-2017 world tour, capturing nostalgic impressions of urban environments. Farrar's art has been featured in exhibitions, including a 2018 show at BAM! HQ in with Best Anything Message and a Venice Art Show fundraiser where he donated pieces for auction. He accepts commissions, such as those for Nashville, , and , and sells limited-edition prints of his SAMAPS and other works through his personal website, with options like canvas prints starting at $25. The evolution of Farrar's visual art draws heavily from his travels with bands, transforming city maps into personalized "love letters" to places like and , infusing them with memories from tours. In some instances, his pieces integrate with music, as seen in lyric maps that visualize song themes.

Film and media appearances

Sam Farrar has made several minor acting appearances in film and television, primarily through cameos with his band . In the 2005 comedy film , directed by , Farrar appeared as a state band member alongside fellow bandmates and Darren Robinson, portraying the punk group The Blood Farts in a performance scene. On television, Farrar had an uncredited role in the 1998 episode "And the Sabrina Goes To..." of , where he portrayed a character named Skincare during a fictional awards show sequence. In addition to , Farrar has contributed to film soundtracks as a and songwriter. He co-wrote the song "Don't Give Up on Me," performed by , for the 2019 romantic drama , which served as a key emotional track in the film. For the 2009 comedy , Phantom Planet's song "" was featured on the soundtrack, with Farrar credited as part of the performing ensemble. The band's track "" also became the iconic theme song for the television series (2003–2007), appearing in the and select episodes, marking a significant media exposure for . Farrar's media presence has extended to occasional non-musical guest spots in recent years, though primarily tied to band promotions. In 2024, he appeared as himself in the televised concert special Le Gala des pièces jaunes 2024: Le Concert événement, a charity event in .

Personal life

Marriage and relationships

Sam Farrar married Stephanie Eitel, a and , in 2007. Eitel had been the keyboardist and vocalist for the indie rock band Agent Sparks from 2005 until the time of their marriage. The couple share a background in the entertainment industry.

Children and family

Sam Farrar and his wife welcomed their first child, daughter Vesper Pearl, in August 2009. Their second child, son Flynn Roscoe, was born in January 2014. Farrar has described his daily routine as a parent involving early mornings, being up at 7 a.m. to get his children to school, followed by evenings spent giving them baths after his work sessions. The family resided in a Sherman Oaks home in Los Angeles, which Farrar and his wife purchased in 2020 and sold in March 2023. In 2024, they purchased a revamped 1930s ranch-style residence in Toluca Lake for $2.3 million, and in 2025, acquired a property in Studio City for just under $3 million. Balancing his role as a touring member of with family life presents challenges for Farrar, who has noted the creative exhaustion of extensive tours while prioritizing time with his children. He maintains a low public profile regarding his family, focusing limited personal details in interviews on everyday responsibilities amid his music career.

Discography

With

Sam Farrar served as the bassist and provided backing vocals for across their studio albums, beginning with the band's debut release. The band's debut studio album, Phantom Planet Is Missing (1998), featured Farrar on bass and backing vocals throughout. Their second album, The Guest (2002), also credited him for bass and backing vocals on all tracks, including the single "California," which gained widespread recognition as the theme song for the television series The O.C.. The third studio album, Raise the Dead (2008), listed him explicitly for and backing vocals on every song, including the single "Big Brat." Farrar's final studio contribution with the band to date came on Devastator (2020), where he played bass and provided backing vocals. Notable singles from these albums include "Lonely Day" (2002) from The Guest and "Big Brat" (2008) from Raise the Dead, on which Farrar performed bass. The band also released EPs such as Negatives (2003), featuring Farrar in his standard roles. Phantom Planet's music appeared on compilations, including selections from The Guest on Rock Sound: The Labels 2003 (2003).

With Maroon 5

Sam Farrar joined as a touring in 2012, contributing and additional instrumentation during the promotion of their Overexposed, though remained the primary bassist on the record itself. His role expanded to include official membership by 2016, with prominent bass and production credits on subsequent releases. Farrar provided backing vocals on select tracks from V (2014), such as "Unkiss Me"; his bass and multi-instrumental roles expanded in live performances and later s. The band's fifth studio album, V, released on September 2, 2014, via Interscope Records, marked Farrar's first studio contributions as a touring member, including backing vocals on several tracks. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and spawned multi-platinum singles such as "Maps" and "Sugar." Farrar briefly co-produced select tracks across Maroon 5's discography during this period. Red Pill Blues, the sixth studio album released on November 3, 2017, through 222 Records and Interscope, was the first to credit Farrar as an official band member, handling bass on tracks like "Lips on You" and providing vocals throughout. The album topped the Billboard 200 upon release and included hits "What Lovers Do" (featuring SZA) and "Don't Wanna Know," where his bass lines underpinned the pop-R&B fusion. No major live albums emerged from this era, though the band issued deluxe editions with additional remixes and acoustic versions post-2012, such as the expanded V (Deluxe) in 2015. Farrar's instrumental role continued on Jordi, the seventh studio album released on June 11, 2021, via Interscope, where he performed bass on tracks 5–7, guitar, and additional vocals across the project. Named after a longtime collaborator, it debuted at number eight on the and featured singles like "Beautiful Mistakes" (with ), emphasizing his multi-instrumental support in the band's evolving pop sound. Maroon 5's eighth studio , Love Is Like, released on August 15, 2025, through and Interscope, highlighted Farrar's production and songwriting alongside bass and programming duties. The record debuted at number 36 on the —its lowest chart peak to date—and reached number 20 on the Swiss Albums Chart, while topping Spotify's Global Countdown in its debut week. Key tracks include "Hideaway," "Love Is Like" (featuring ), "Priceless" (featuring LISA), and "I Like It" (featuring ), with the deluxe edition expanding to 13 songs blending falsetto-driven pop with guest rap features.
AlbumRelease DateKey Farrar CreditsNotable Singles
OverexposedJune 26, 2012Touring bass/instruments"One More Night," "" (ft. )
September 2, 2014Backing vocals"Maps," ""
November 3, 2017Bass, vocals"" (ft. ), ""
June 11, 2021Bass, guitar, additional vocals"" (ft. )
Love Is LikeAugust 15, 2025Bass, programming, production, songwriting"Love Is Like" (ft. ), "Priceless" (ft. LISA)

Production credits

Sam Farrar has contributed as a and co-writer to various artists beyond his roles in and , often blending electronic elements with pop and rock sensibilities. His production work emphasizes layered and collaborative songcraft, as seen in select projects spanning indie releases to holiday singles. These credits highlight his versatility in studio environments outside band contexts.

Selected Production and Songwriting Credits

  • 2003: Roger Alan Wade – Greatest Hits: Producer (full album).
  • 2004: Gomez – Split the Difference: Co-writer ("Meet Me in the City").
  • 2006: Agent Sparks – Red Rover: Co-writer ("Funny Foolish").
  • 2006: Various Artists – Hoot (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Co-writer ("Let Your Spirit Fly").
  • 2007: Jesca Hoop – Kismet: Co-writer ("Seed of Wonder").
  • 2007: Coconut Records – Nighttiming: Co-writer ("It's Not You It's Me").
  • 2009: Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons – Death Won't Send a Letter: Co-writer ("Longer Time at Sea").
  • 2010: Matt White – It's the Good Crazy: Co-writer ("Off My Wall").
  • 2011: Augustana – Augustana: Co-writer ("Steal Your Heart").
  • 2011: Sara Bareilles – "Love Is Christmas" (single): Producer.
  • 2011: Bubble and Strife – My Lifetime for Blondes (EP): Producer (full EP; project co-founded with wife Stephanie Cosi).
  • 2012: Maroon 5 – "Ladykiller" (from Overexposed): Co-producer, co-writer.

References

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