Power Music
Samantha Fish is the kind of musician who focuses on the blues music she creates with her bold guitar playing and sing. Fish has earned a Grammy nomination for Death Wish Blues (which is her 2023 collaboration with rocker Jesse Dayton).
According to Fish’s website, she has opened for The Rolling Stones on their final 2024 U.S. tour date. And she has also worked with Jon Spencer of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, as well as Luther Dickinson (co-founder of North Mississippi Allstars and former member of the Black Crowes). Back in 2017, she reunited with Detroit garage-rock icon Bobby Harlow, who also produced her LP Chills & Fever.
Currently, Fish is promoting her live record, Paper Doll, which has nine songs on it. In this interview Fish took time from her North America tour to answer questions about the new release and life on the road via email.
Jupiter Index: Your live record is dynamic for the energy, singing, and the audience seemed to really enjoy the whole production. What were your thoughts as the show was being played and recorded?
Samantha Fish: I think the most important thing when you’re recording a live album is to try to forget that you’re recording a live album. Try to connect with the people that are in the room. The show is for them. Forget about the cameras and the little red flashing dot on the console. Sometimes there’s a rigidity that comes with overthinking things. When you’re able to let go, in the moment, there’s a freedom. I just wanted it to feel natural like our shows always do.
JI: Do you think there’s something about blues music that moves people more than other music?
SF: I think there is a real, truthful element to blues music that simply connects heart to heart. It’s undeniable. You can’t phone it in, people can tell when the intentions aren’t there. I think when people want to hear something real and heartfelt, they find their way to it.
JI: You are on tour in North America and Europe this year. Is it harder or more enjoyable to be touring now?
SF: I’ve been touring consistently for the better part of my adult life. It’s what I know, there’s always going to be challenges that arise. We just navigate it and we do our best to go and play for the people that want to hear us.
JI: The element of time and being original seem to carry you in your music, but how do you spend the time so you are connected to the music and the stories that do come?
SF: When I’m not on the road, I’m just at home in New Orleans for the most part living my life. Trying to reconnect with family and friends as my lifestyle takes me to far away places.
I think it’s important to go inward when writing. Sometimes it takes me a little time after completing a record to formulate my thoughts. I need a little time to breathe and live my life and experience things. Evolve in my craft. Once I get that, I’m ready to get to the next thing.
JI: As a musician, what is the most difficult thing that you are confronted with at this point?
SF: I could go down a rabbit hole about all the difficulties of being a modern musician in America. We could talk about economics, or record sales being reduced to streams, we could talk about the ever changing and evolving industry which requires more of your time doing things like “making content” rather than making music, we could talk about sexism… there’s a lot of things that we could talk about that are difficult. The music industry isn’t known for being easy or fair. I think when you love what you’re doing and you’re willing to push and to persevere, that cuts thru the noise for yourself. I try not to get caught up on whats’ difficult for too long. It’s good to acknowledge and discuss it, because change begins there… but I still get up and go get the work done.
JI: Would you like to add anything more about your music for your fans?
SF: I think it’s up to people who enjoy music and are looking for some kind of connection to go out and find those artists that speak to their heart. I know that I write music that I enjoy, that I think is rooted in blues and heavily influenced by rock ‘n’ roll, soul, Americana, and by different bands I’ve loved over the years. It’s guitar driven, my songs are melodic and mean something to me. There’s a lot of energy in my show. My job is to make the people who are listening feel something.
by G.M. Burns
According to Fish’s website, she has opened for The Rolling Stones on their final 2024 U.S. tour date. And she has also worked with Jon Spencer of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, as well as Luther Dickinson (co-founder of North Mississippi Allstars and former member of the Black Crowes). Back in 2017, she reunited with Detroit garage-rock icon Bobby Harlow, who also produced her LP Chills & Fever.
Currently, Fish is promoting her live record, Paper Doll, which has nine songs on it. In this interview Fish took time from her North America tour to answer questions about the new release and life on the road via email.
Jupiter Index: Your live record is dynamic for the energy, singing, and the audience seemed to really enjoy the whole production. What were your thoughts as the show was being played and recorded?
Samantha Fish: I think the most important thing when you’re recording a live album is to try to forget that you’re recording a live album. Try to connect with the people that are in the room. The show is for them. Forget about the cameras and the little red flashing dot on the console. Sometimes there’s a rigidity that comes with overthinking things. When you’re able to let go, in the moment, there’s a freedom. I just wanted it to feel natural like our shows always do.
JI: Do you think there’s something about blues music that moves people more than other music?
SF: I think there is a real, truthful element to blues music that simply connects heart to heart. It’s undeniable. You can’t phone it in, people can tell when the intentions aren’t there. I think when people want to hear something real and heartfelt, they find their way to it.
JI: You are on tour in North America and Europe this year. Is it harder or more enjoyable to be touring now?
SF: I’ve been touring consistently for the better part of my adult life. It’s what I know, there’s always going to be challenges that arise. We just navigate it and we do our best to go and play for the people that want to hear us.
JI: The element of time and being original seem to carry you in your music, but how do you spend the time so you are connected to the music and the stories that do come?
SF: When I’m not on the road, I’m just at home in New Orleans for the most part living my life. Trying to reconnect with family and friends as my lifestyle takes me to far away places.
I think it’s important to go inward when writing. Sometimes it takes me a little time after completing a record to formulate my thoughts. I need a little time to breathe and live my life and experience things. Evolve in my craft. Once I get that, I’m ready to get to the next thing.
JI: As a musician, what is the most difficult thing that you are confronted with at this point?
SF: I could go down a rabbit hole about all the difficulties of being a modern musician in America. We could talk about economics, or record sales being reduced to streams, we could talk about the ever changing and evolving industry which requires more of your time doing things like “making content” rather than making music, we could talk about sexism… there’s a lot of things that we could talk about that are difficult. The music industry isn’t known for being easy or fair. I think when you love what you’re doing and you’re willing to push and to persevere, that cuts thru the noise for yourself. I try not to get caught up on whats’ difficult for too long. It’s good to acknowledge and discuss it, because change begins there… but I still get up and go get the work done.
JI: Would you like to add anything more about your music for your fans?
SF: I think it’s up to people who enjoy music and are looking for some kind of connection to go out and find those artists that speak to their heart. I know that I write music that I enjoy, that I think is rooted in blues and heavily influenced by rock ‘n’ roll, soul, Americana, and by different bands I’ve loved over the years. It’s guitar driven, my songs are melodic and mean something to me. There’s a lot of energy in my show. My job is to make the people who are listening feel something.
by G.M. Burns
