Samantha Fish leverages vintage amp setup and unconventional guitars, reminiscent of Led Zeppelin's approach, to generate a lively, dynamic sound for her latest album.
In this month, blues-rock singer-songwriter Samantha Fish unveils her new studio album, aptly titled "Paper Doll." The LP, which was recorded during the band's tour, exudes a lively and invigorating spirit, as the process left no time for artificiality, capturing a genuine stage vibe that resonates throughout the record.
Fish is set to bring her electrifying live show to the UK later this year, and she hints at a possible new addition to her stage setup, alluding to a potential surprise Christmas present she awarded herself last year.
During the recording process, Fish revealed that making the album on the road demanded adaptability, as the band had a busy schedule. "It required quite a bit of flexibility," she explained. "But we were on tour and we had time between shows, so we went into the studio and started chipping away at it." The outcome, according to Fish, was an album infused with a vibrant live energy that sets it apart.
Writing while touring can be challenging for Fish, as her schedule tends to be hectic, and she has a set routine. Ideas might surface spontaneously, though, as she recounted, "Sometimes a lyric idea will pop into my head, and it's like, 'I'll take a second to write it down,' and then it's something I come back to."
Recording "Paper Doll" marked a significant milestone for Fish, as she shared her experience with finding the right balance between her stage and studio personas. "I don't think I'm ever going to be very happy with anything like that," she admitted. "But I do feel like I have tapped into figuring out how to do the thing I do on stage in the studio, which feels great because it's a completely different environment."
Fish also discussed the addition of a new ES-335 guitar to her collection, which she described as "a Christmas present I awarded myself last year." The massive-bodied guitar, she noted, was the perfect choice for a song that requires a wild, unhinged approach.
Regarding the guitar's specifications, Fish mentioned that it retained its original pickups, imbuing it with an extra sparkle that elevated its overall allure. "The whole guitar itself is incredibly special," she added.
While touring, Fish relied on her trusty Gibson SG, which accompanied her everywhere. "It was having some issues with my SG last summer, just because I beat the hell out of it on the road," she explained. Gibson stepped in to provide a backup SG to ensure her signature sound during the recording sessions.
In addition to her own collection, Fish couldn't resist trying out the gear offered at various studios. "I brought my cigar-box guitar," she said. "But I love going into studios and playing with the gear that they have. We were trying to find the best sounds."
Regarding the equipment used for "Paper Doll," Fish stated that they used the studio's gear, including vintage Fender Deluxe amps. "I like using small amps in the studio," she explained. "This studio trick is an old Led Zeppelin trick, right?"
Wrapping up her interview, Fish shared her excitement about her forthcoming UK tour, promising an exhilarating live show brimming with electric energy.
"Paper Doll" is now available on Rounder Records, and subscribing to Guitarist magazine guarantees not missing any updates on Fish's music and more.
- Samantha Fish, in discussing her new LP "Paper Doll," hinted at a possible new addition to her stage setup, possibly a Christmas present she awarded herself last year, a new ES-335 guitar.
- Fish shared her experience with finding the right balance between her stage and studio personas while recording "Paper Doll."
- The band used vintage Fender Deluxe amps, a studio trick that Fish finds effective in the recording process, emulating an old Led Zeppelin practice.
- Fish relied on her trusty Gibson SG during her tours, but experiencing gear at various studios was an exciting aspect of the recording process, aiming to find the best sounds.
- Ideas might surface spontaneously for Fish while touring, enabling her to write lyrics on the go.
- Fish's "Paper Doll" album captures a lively and invigorating spirit, as the process left no room for artificiality, resonating the genuine stage vibe throughout the record.
