Samantha Fish is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for her powerful vocals and impressive guitar skills that draw from multiple genres like blues and rock. Kansas City native Fish draws on her roots and upbringing being drawn to blues music and frequenting her local Saloon to hear touring blues musicians.
Her debut album Live Bait was released in 2009 followed by six other albums until her breakthrough album Chills & Fever in 2017. That album helped establish her reputation in the music scene for years to follow. Fish went on to win almost 40 different awards for her music, guitar playing, and music videos.
In addition to her solo work and early band work, she has collaborated with various artists and has been a part of several music festivals. She has toured extensively around the world and has continued to show her dedication to her craft and ability to connect with audiences. Fish’s last big collaboration was with the Rolling Stones on their Hackney Diamonds Tour in Ridgedale, MO on Sunday, July 21. Fish got to open for them, warming up the crowd for the Stones’ last tour date of the year.
We met with Samantha Fish at Bourbon & Beyond and asked her about her perfect Chiefs tailgate, opening for the Rolling Stones, and her favorite New Orleans Jazz Fest memories.
Tell me your perfect day in Kansas City.
There’s a few ways to do that. I have so many things I love about Kansas City. I love going to baseball games. Kansas City Royals. I love the Kansas City Chiefs. So, if I could go catch a game, that’s a great day. Get some good barbecue. Go listen to some great music. That’s like a pretty perfect day, I’d say.
What’s your perfect tailgate for the Chiefs?
Oh my gosh. Smoke some ribs with dry rub. That’s the way.
I know you were opening for the Rolling Stones in your home state of Missouri. What was that like? Do you have any fun stories from that day?
I’m originally from Kansas and the people there, they’ll be sticklers about that, but I was a Missouri resident for a long time. I mean, that meant the world to be able to go and perform. I’ll put it this way, every time I do an interview for my entire career, maybe 50% of them ask, ‘What’s your dream gig? Who would you want to open for if you could ever just have?’
The choice would be the Rolling Stones, because when is that ever going to happen? That’s like a dream gig. So, for that to come to us, it was really kind of humbling and overwhelming and very special. It’s just one of those things I put on a bucket list a long time ago. I shouldn’t even have one, but I do and checked it off.
I’ve seen you for many years at New Orleans Jazz Fest. Can you tell me one of your favorite Jazz Fest memories?
I’d say pretty recently that getting to be on the same stage as the Rolling Stones, opening for them another time, that was pretty great. The year before, we were supposed to play the Gentilly stage opening for Steve Miller. Unfortunately, somebody from the other stage had fallen ill and they couldn’t make it.
We had to run across the fairgrounds at the very last minute and throw our stuff on stage and play the main festival stage. That was always a rush because it’s such a big stage. The sound is crazy. We got to open for Ed Sheeran that day, which was pretty great. You can see so many artists there at Jazz Fest. It’s massive, it’s beautiful, the food is incredible. It’s one of my favorite times of the year.
What are your favorite things to do in New Orleans?
Well, drinking and eating are obvious, easy things. It’s kind of similar to my favorite things to do in Kansas City. I’m not really there very much these days. I’ve been traveling a lot, but I do love going to the quarter. You know, there’s so many cool bars to just wander into. I love the feeling and vibe in New Orleans. There’s just so many beautiful parts of the city you can go visit. I love going uptown where you can wander around and find cool stuff. There’s nowhere in the world like New Orleans. Period.
What are your must pack travel items?
I’m a girly girl, so I’ve got all the hair, makeup, and clothes. I’ve already got way too much in the way of clothing and all that. A good shoe collection to take on the road. Sensible stage wear. I’ve got my remedies for vocal health. A bottle of ibuprofen, because that’s how it gets after a while. Coffee. Other than that, I’m kind of low maintenance. I find my way around. I find the things I need wherever I am.
What’s your favorite song to play off Death Wish Blues?
There are different songs for different days. Honestly, I really enjoyed playing “Supadupabad” because that was one that Jesse (Dayton) really liked. He has this kind of breakdown, almost like a rap bit where he’s just really talking to people.
That was really fun because I get to go berserk on the guitar. But as far as songs I get to sing, I really liked performing “No Apology.” It’s a different song for the album, kind of more soul driven, a little more of an emotional performance. The rest is really rock and roll. That one’s just a diverse cut from the album.
What’s the longest you’ve gone without playing guitar?
I’m not really sure, maybe a couple of weeks at a time. Sometimes I really do think space is healthy and good for you. There’s sometimes when I get off the road, the last thing I want to do is pick up or even look at a guitar because I’ve been surrounded by them. I think taking space is a healthy thing sometimes. Because of our touring schedule, I don’t have a reason to put it down for too long.
Have you ever had a travel destination inspire a song?
I know I’ve written a lot of songs with 1970’s New York in mind. Like, ‘what would we be doing if we were there right now?’ I definitely think about LA. I think I’ve channeled New Orleans. I’ve written songs about my time in Kansas City, even though I might not say ‘Kansas City’ in the song, It’s there in spirit.
Do you have any great collaboations left that aren’t with somebody we would naturally think of?
Yeah, I think I do, but the beautiful thing about collaborations is they’re kind of spontaneous. It’s just sort of like where you are at the moment. This other person comes in and that moment in time intersects and you can’t really predict it. I definitely feel like I’ve got collaborations left in me. Exactly who that’s going to be and when, I don’t know.