The last time we spoke with indie rock singer/songwriter Samia was September of 2021, just as live music was returning and she was preparing to headline a sold-out show at Johnny Brenda’s. However, we’ve seen her in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection quite a few times since then. She wound up “headlining” the Skyline Stage at The Mann when Lucy Dacus and Courtney Barnett got rained out the following year, she packed Union Transfer for a headlining show in February of 2023, she opened boygenius’ historic, instantly-sold-out show at TD Pavilion at The Mann later that year, and last year she handled support duties for Bleachers at The Met. In that time, she’s also released two full-lengths, 2023’s Honey and, most recently, LP #3, Bloodless, which dropped April 25th on her longtime home of Grand Jury.
Bloodless – recorded between North Carolina and Minneapolis (Samia’s new home) with longtime collaborators and co-producers Caleb Wright and Jake Luppen, in addition to friends and fellow singer/songwriters Christian Lee Hutson and Raffaella – has Samia grappling with the idea of wanting to embody the “you” that exists in the mind of a hypothetical male figure, as she explains in a recent press release.
“I’ve spent the past two decades unintentionally conflating an abstract idea of men with my understanding of God… The person I became in order to impress this imagined figure is inseparable from who I am today. A significant part of my personality was built around traits and behaviors I believed—whether through observation or hearsay—men would like. With this album, I’ve tried to confront that head-on.”
Prior to the release of Bloodless, the album produced five singles and, following a UK record store run, Samia kicked off the Bloodless USA & Canada Tour on May 20th in Portland, Maine. The tour has Samia accompanied by Raffaella, who’s opening the shows, and will be at Theare of Living Arts this Wednesday, May 28th. Earlier today Samia and I snagged some time for a quick chat about her third full-length, her move to Minnesota, and getting back to headlining North American nightclubs.
Izzy: I know that you recently got back from a UK record store tour. How was that?
Samia: It was fun! Always sort of stressful around the release of an album, but was so happy to be face to face with people on the day and in such an intimate setting.
Izzy: You just released your third LP, Bloodless, and you’ve talked a lot about the themes that the album addresses, but I’m curious how the process of writing and recording it compared to the first two?
Samia: I spent a lot of time with the words on this one – sort of circled back to the way I wrote my first album, which started with poems. Got to have a ton of my friends play on this one too — the whole crew who made the first album and my partner and some new friends.
Izzy: Have you had any favorite reactions to the new material from fans?
Samia: I love that people think a line from “Bovine Excision” is, “I felt the pecan, I eat it.”
Izzy: This is a super cheesy question, but I often ask something similar… Considering that this is your third LP, do you have any favorite third LPs in your own music library?
Samia: Pure Comedy and Bury Me at Makeout Creek!!
Izzy: The last we spoke was September of 2021. This is a huge question, but what have been some of the personal highlights of those past four years for you, in addition to the new album and most recent dates?
Samia: I got a dog and I moved to Minneapolis!! Just getting to make these memories on the road with some of my longtime favorite people.
Izzy: How has Minneapolis been treating you?
Samia: I love it. My favorite city — best friend lives across the street. I’ve wanted to live there for years.
Izzy: And what are some of your favorite things about getting back to touring, in addition to just playing the shows themselves?
Samia: I like scaring my friend Noah.
Izzy: Since this is a Philadelphia publication, I have to ask if you have any thoughts or favorite memories of the city?
Samia: Honestly, that Johnny Brenda’s show was unforgettable!!
Izzy: How does it compare to play so many different settings, from outdoor amphitheaters to opera houses to nightclubs to barrooms? I’m excited to get to see you back in a classic “black box rock room.”
Samia: The intimate shows are always my favorite — I just love seeing people’s faces.
Izzy: What can be expected of the live show on this run?
Samia: We have lawn chairs and a cooler.
Izzy: You’re on the road with Raffaella, who I totally love and I know worked on the album with you and is just a friend of yours in general, so I’m curious to hear about your friendship/relationship.
Samia: She’s my hero and my best friend — her songs are unbelievably good and the band rules — would recommend her show to anyone.
Izzy: I noticed that there’s basically a summerlong gap in your currently announced tour dates. How do you plan or hope to spend the summer?
Samia: I’ll be in the yard with my dog and working on new music!
*Get your tickets here.
**Stream the latest episode of Philthy Radio, my show for Y-Not Radio, to hear classics from both Samia and Raffaella.
