Making ready to tour Paper Doll, her album launched final yr that attracted rave critiques, Kansas Metropolis-born guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Samantha Fish discusses her fashionable, vibrant and sassy tackle the blues.
Congratulations in your present album, Paper Doll, being nominated for a Grammy. Final yr, Basic Rock described it as: “ridiculously good”.
It’s at all times good when individuals like what you make for them. I didn’t see a single unhealthy overview, which is sweet as a result of had I carried out so it might be the one one I’m more likely to have remembered.
Basic Rock additionally mentioned that you’ve got “the work ethic of an previous bluesman and the trendy optics of a pop star”. Your relationship with the age-old trappings and traditions of the blues is sophisticated, isn’t it?
I feel so. I don’t think about myself a conventional blues artist.
Has it at all times been that method, or did you come to problem a few of these conventions and expectations in later years?
I at all times recognized as a recent blues artist. If I can flip one particular person on to Freddie King, then that’s nice, however I convey slightly extra of a contemporary edge. And but it’s powerful as a result of all the things I do is rooted within the blues. Early on, I performed a variety of blues, however I additionally grew up listening to rock‘n’roll and pop music, Americana and nation. I honour all of that. My aim today is to write down nice songs.
Will you be taking part in a variety of songs from Paper Doll on the upcoming UK reveals?
This isn’t my first go to for this album, and I don’t like taking part in the identical present twice in the identical metropolis, so I preserve a listing of my setlists. It’s at all times a little bit of a fragile balancing act to maintain new followers comfortable in addition to the previous hardcore ones, however I do the perfect that I can.
Together with a London date at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, this eight-show UK headline run is your largest but.
Every time I come to the UK issues get higher and higher. It took some time to achieve any traction over there; I assume you guys have excessive requirements. I really feel so honoured as a result of it’s not a straightforward place to turn out to be profitable.
Have been you concerned in choosing The Zac Schulze Gang because the particular friends?
I really like these guys. They’re so nice on stage they usually’re such cool individuals. While you like everyone you’re touring with it makes issues a lot simpler.
In 2024 you opened for the Rolling Stones at a gig in Missouri. Was that barely surreal?
It nonetheless doesn’t really feel completely actual. For years when individuals requested about my dream band to open for and I might at all times reply the Stones, as I by no means thought it’d occur. However we received to do it twice, truly. It was such a cool expertise. At one level I seemed over my shoulder, noticed Ronnie Wooden and thought: “That’s good!” I didn’t meet them, however I waved at them from a gold cart.
For the uninitiated, what’s your present like?
I prefer to convey power however there’s additionally a variety of depth. It’s all about hooking individuals in and holding them hooked, making them stamp their toes for 2 hours.
Samantha Fish’s European tour begins on February 27 in York. For full dates and tickets, go to the Samantha Fish web site.
