One of the most electrifying guitarists of her generation, Samantha Fish, has consistently captivated audiences with her unparalleled energy, boldness, emotional depth and unique blend of rock and soul. Known for her expressive guitar playing and powerhouse performances, Fish’s career hit warp speed with the release of her last album, 2023’s “Death Wish Blues”, which hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, and earned her a Grammy nomination, plus invitations to support The Rolling Stones, Jon Spencer, Slash and more.
This April, the Kansas City-bred, New Orleans-based musician will unveil her fiercest work to date with a new studio album “Paper Doll” (Rounder Records). Produced by Detroit garage-rock legend Bobby Harlow (The Go) – with assistance from fellow Detroit luminary Mick Collins (The Gories) on one track – each of the songs on “Paper Doll” are delivered with visceral force, soul-soothing empathy, and newfound clarity.
“It’s taken me years to finally find my voice in a studio setting”, Fish admits. “But with this record, I took everything I had and slammed it right on the table”. The theme of unapologetic defiance runs throughout the album, as Fish explores new depths of vulnerability and self-expression and confronts love, loss, and personal growth.
Tracked in Austin at The Orb and Los Angeles at Savannah Studios, the 9-song collection was recorded during a grueling touring schedule, ultimately capturing the untamed energy of her live performances. “I’d never made a record on the road like that”, Fish reveals. “Even though it was intense, it felt good to keep up the momentum from the live show. It helped us make an album that’s got a real living, breathing pulse to it”. The album features touring bandmates Ron Johnson (bass), Jamie Douglass (drums), and Mickey Finn (keys).
With today’s announcement, Fish has released the album’s lead single “Sweet Southern Sounds”. Co-written with fellow New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Anders Osborne, the track is a gripping meditation on the struggle to balance passion and personal connections, topped with smoldering riffs and lush organ melodies.
“It’s an anthem about being on the road and feeling guilty about not prioritizing the people in your life”, says Fish. “It’s hard to find that balance between taking care of your relationships and dedicating yourself to your music, and there’s definitely a tinge of heartache to that song”.
Listen to “Sweet Southern Sounds” below.
Pre-order & pre-save “Paper Doll” (out on April 25th, 2025) here.
Tracklist:
1. I’m Done Runnin’
2. Can Ya Handle the Heat?
3. Lose You
4. Sweet Southern Sounds
5. Off in the Blue
6. Fortune Teller
7. Rusty Razor (feat. Mick Collins)
8. Paper Doll
9. Don’t Say It
Fish will tour across the US and UK throughout 2025, including dates with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, plus performances at JazzFest and more. For tickets and all upcoming tour dates click here.
US Tour Dates 2025:
2.21.2025 – L’Auberge Casino and Hotel – Baton Rouge, LA
2.22.2025 – IP Casino Resort and Spa – Biloxi, MS
3.21.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL
3.22.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL
3.23.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL
3.24.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL
3.25.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL
3.26.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL
3.28.2025 – Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee – Immokalee, FL
4.1.2025 – Count Basie Center – Experience Hendrix Tour – Red Bank, NJ
4.2.2025 – Mayo Performing Arts Center – Experience Hendrix Tour – Morristown, NJ
4.3.2025 – Hampton Beach Casino – Experience Hendrix Tour – Hampton Beach, NH
4.4.2025 – Ocean Casino Resort – Experience Hendrix Tour – Atlantic City, NJ
4.5.2025 – Warner Theatre – Experience Hendrix Tour – Washington, DC
4.6.2025 – DPAC – Experience Hendrix Tour – Durham, NC
4.8.2025 – North Charleston PAC – Experience Hendrix Tour – Charleston, SC
4.9.2025 – Ovens Auditorium – Experience Hendrix Tour – Charlotte, NC
4.10.2025 – Tennessee Theatre – Experience Hendrix Tour – Knoxville, TN
4.11.2025 – Peace Concert Hall – Experience Hendrix Tour – Greenville, SC
4.12.2025 – Fox Theater – Experience Hendrix Tour – Atlanta, GA
4.30.2025 – Crawfish Fest – New Orleans, LA
5.3.2025 – JazzFest – New Orleans, LA
5.14.2025 – Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX *
5.15.2025 – House of Blues – Houston, TX *
5.16.2025 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX *
5.17.2025 – TempleLive – Fort Smith, AR *
5.18.2025 – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK *
5.21.2025 – The Astro – Omaha, NE *
5.22.2025 – Cotillion – Wichita, KS *
5.23.2025 – Gillioz Theater – Springfield, MO *
* (Supporting Christone “Kingfish” Ingram)
UK & European Tour Dates 2025:
5.28.2025 – Cheese & Grain – Frome, United Kingdom
5.29.2025 – Red Rooster Festival, Thetford, United Kingdom
5.30.2025 – Arts Club – Liverpool, United Kingdom
5.31.2025 – The Brook – Southampton, United Kingdom
6.1.2025 – Academy 2 – Oxford, United Kingdom
6.5.2025 – Sweden Rock Festival – Solvesborg, Sweden
6.7.2025 – Peer Blues Festival – Peer, Belgium
6.8.2025 – Ribs N Blues Festival – Raalte, The Netherlands
6.9.2025 – Tivoli – Utrecht, The Netherlands
6.10.2025 – Le Trianon – Paris, France
6.11.2025 – Le Transbordeur – Lyon, France
6.13.2025 – Bilbao Arena – Bilbao, Spain
6.14.2025 – Joy Eslava, Madrid, Spain
6.15.2025 – Razmataz 2, Barcelona, Spain
7.12.2025 – Samantha Fish Outlaw Square – Deadwood, SD *
* (Supporting Christone “Kingfish” Ingram)
Weblinks:
www.samanthafish.com
www.facebook.com/samanthafishmusic
