Samantha Fish

Samantha Fish(born January 30, 1989) is an American guitarist andsinger-songwriterfromKansas City, Missouri. While often cited as abluesartist, Fish's work features and draws from multiple genres, includingrock,country,funk,bluegrass, andballads.
Fish grew up in the Kansas City area. She started out playing the drums, but switched to guitar when she was 15. Fish's mother was the instructor in a local church choir, and her father played guitar with friends. Initially hearing recordings ofBonnie RaittandStevie Ray Vaughan, she later heard music fromTom Pettyandthe Rolling Stonesand cites the Stones' albumSticky Fingersas an early influence. She and her sister were both drawn towards blues music in their teenage years.
Fish regularly went to theKnuckleheads Saloonto hear touring blues artists. After turning 18, she often joined in with the singers and bands who were performing there.
In 2009, Fish recorded and producedLive Bait. Thelive albumattracted the attention of a talent company, who recommended her toRuf Records.Ruf Records put together a record with Fish and two other female blues artists,Cassie TaylorandDani Wilde, titledGirls with Guitars. The three guitarists then toured on the Ruf Records 2011 Blues Caravan in the U.S. and Europe.
Fish continued touring with the Samantha Fish Band, featuring "Go-Go Ray" Pollard on drums and Chris Alexander on bass, playing in Europe and the United States.  In 2011, Fish recordedRunawaywith the help of her mentorMike Zito. The album won the 2012Blues Music Awardfor Best New Artist.
Fish appeared onDevon Allman's 2013 albumTurquoisein a duet covering theTom Petty/Stevie Nicks' song "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around".During the summer of 2013, Fish was called up on stage to play with a skepticalBuddy Guywho was so impressed with her playing on the guitar, he  declared with a beaming smile to his audience, "When this kind of shit happens, I'll play all night!"
In 2013, Fish released her second major studio album,Black Wind Howlin', featuringMike Zitoon guitar,Yonrico Scotton drums,Johnny Sansoneon harmonica, andPaul Thorn, vocal duet on one track.The album was recorded in Dockside Studios, inMaurice, Louisiana. Zito's bandmates from his groupRoyal Southern Brotherhood, Yonrico Scott and Charlie Wooton, were brought in to assist in the session recordings.Also in 2013, Fish appeared onThe Healers Live at Knuckleheads Saloon, producing a CD/DVD collaboration withJimmy Hall,Reese Wynans, Kate Moss, andDanielleand Kris Schnebelen (sister and brother, formerly of the bandTrampled Under Foot). Proceeds benefit the Blue Star Connection. The Healers occasionally perform together as their schedule permits.
Fish's third studio album,Wild Heart, was released on July 10, 2015. The album is moreroots rockthan her earlierblues rock.Fish wrote five songs on the record. She co-wrote five other songs with Jim McCormick inNashville, Tennessee.Luther Dickinsonproduced the album, as well as played various stringed instruments (guitar, bass, mandolin, lap steel) to flesh out the sound.The album was recorded in four studios,Royal StudiosandArdent StudiosinMemphis, Tennessee, Zebra Ranch inColdwater, Mississippi, and Blade Studios inShreveport, Louisiana.Other musicians on the record areBrady Blade(drums), Lightnin' Malcolm (guitar),Shardé Thomas(drums), Dominic Davis (bass), Shontelle Norman-Beatty (background vocals), and Risse Norman (background vocals).
Fish released her fourth solo album,Chills & Feveron March 17, 2017.The album was recorded in Detroit and was recorded with members of the bandThe Detroit Cobras. Bobby Harlow produced the album.Belle of the Westfollowed in December 2017.
Fish released her sixth solo album,Kill or Be Kind, on September 20, 2019, on her new label,Rounder Records.It was chosen as a 'Favorite Blues Album' byAllMusic.
Fish released her seventh solo album,Faster, on September 10, 2021, on Rounder Records.The album was produced byMartin Kierszenbaum, and features drummerJosh Freeseand bass player Diego Navaira ofThe Last Bandoleros.Kansas City arearapperTech N9neis featured on the song "Loud".
In 2022, Fish was featured in the documentary shortLove Letters: Samantha Fish Live From New Orleanspresented by Carl Van Productions in association with Very Productive Pictures andWYES-TV, airing in both 2022 and 2023.
In May 2023, Fish released the collaborative albumDeath Wish Blues(Rounder Records) withJesse Dayton, and the pair set forth on an extensive tour schedule throughout the US, UK, and Europe. Supporting them on the UK leg of their tour was Canadian roots rock bandThe Commoners.Death Wish Blueswas nominated forBest Contemporary Blues Albumat the2024 Grammy Awards.
Her older sister,Amanda Fish, is a singer-songwriter as well and a multi-instrumentalistwho has recorded forVizzTone Records.