Not Your Typical 'Paper Doll' - The Source

Having played in these parts before, rock/blues guitarist Samantha Fish is no stranger to Central Oregon. In the meantime, she and her band have just been tearing it up. Fish was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album in the 2024 Grammys for her 2023 collaboration with rocker Jesse Dayton, “Death Wish Blues.”

She and the band have toured heavily including a slew of dates with guitarist Slash on his S.E.R.P.E.N.T. (Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality, N’, Tolerance) festival in summer 2024. Also last year, Fish and her band scored a prime gig opening for the Rolling Stones on their final 2024 U.S. tour date.

She returns Monday, Nov. 24, to the Tower Theatre stage in support of her new album, “Paper Doll.” It’s her first album recorded with touring band Ron Johnson on bass, Jamie Douglass on drums and Mickey Finn on keyboards. Also on the bill is Robert Jon & The Wreck. Get ready for a rowdy night downtown; the Tower’s website states that the first three rows of seats have been removed for dancing!

According to her website, “Paper Doll” was recorded between tour dates. “I’d never made a record on the road like that. Even though it was so 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,” Fish is quoted on her website. “It’s taken me years to finally find my voice in a studio setting. But with this record I took everything I had and slammed it right on the table.”

Bend will be the sixth stop on her current 20-date tour that wraps up this year before hitting the road in Europe next February. Fish is originally from Kansas City, but has settled in New Orleans. She recently took some time out to answer some questions emailed to her from the Source.

tS: I read that at the age of 15, you switched to guitar from playing drums? What brought about that change?

Samantha Fish: Everyone in my family was playing guitar, so naturally, I wanted to be a drummer. I started on the drums because the physicality of it looked really fun, and I took to it fairly well. I think it was just a matter of time before I was gonna connect with the guitar. And that’s where I really found my voice. I was around 15 when I first picked one up.

tS: Did your guitar playing and your singing come about at the same time, or did you concentrate on one over the other as you became more comfortable as a musician?

SF: They both came about simultaneously. I feel like I had a little bit more coordination to start due to my background on drums. I’ve always wanted to be equally proficient with both. I worked really hard when I felt like my voice wasn’t at the same level, and then vice versa.

tS: Back in the day when you used to go to Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City, who were the artists that you most remember? Who were your favorites? And would you actually join them onstage? If so, how did you work up the courage to do that?

SF: They had a lot of roots, blues, and country shows come through. I saw Tab Benoit, Paul Thorn, Jesse Dayton, Mike Zito, etc. I didn’t really have the courage/cockiness to outright ask to get on stage. The venue owner, Frank Hicks, would open the door, talk me up, and occasionally I’d get onstage. Eventually I garnered a little bit of a name around town and I was off and running with my band.

tS: It looks like you came from a musical family. How important were those early influences on you?

SF: I’d say very important. Since it was always around, having people play around us, we just grew up feeling like that was normal. I think that kind of environment opens a lot of doors.

tS: I read that you featured rapper Tech N9ne, who is also from Kansas City, on the song, “Loud.” Of all the collaborations you’ve done, what was the wildest or most surprising? What have been your favorites?

SF: I really enjoyed the most recent collaboration on my new record, “Paper Doll.” Mick Collins guested on a song called “Rusty Razor.” I liked the song when we were cutting it, but after hearing his contribution, it became one of my favorites on the record. The Tech N9ne collaboration was obviously a highlight. He’s beloved around the world, but being that we’re both from KC, no one expected it. We were connected through my producer, Martin Kierszenbaum. He suggested that song. It was such a journey already, he took it to a higher level. I think my most obvious collaboration has been with Jesse Dayton, though. I don’t think people were expecting us to work together. Though we’re both

guitar players, we’re typically known in different genres. I think people were surprised at us getting together, but again the best things are unexpected.

tS: Who do you wish that you could have played with before they left us? And who do you still desire to play with on your bucket list?

SF: I always say that it’s a tie between RL Burnside and Tom Petty. Two of my musical heroes, completely different from one another. Both equally influential in my music, in my style. As far as bucket list… I always aim high, someday I’d love to trade licks with Keith Richards… We’ll see.

tS: Your latest album, “Paper Doll,” I believe is your 13th album. Do you view your albums as a continuation of your evolving career, building off one another? Or do you look at each album as something new and different from the ones before?

SF: I have gone into some records with a full concept. Other times, it takes a while to identify just what it is. It requires some introspection. I sort of let the songs identify the concept. I think that’s the most honest way of going about it. Every album rewards me with some experience, some growth. I take that forward into every following album, so the continuation… the evolution… It’s all really natural.

tS: I really enjoyed reading about you on your website. With “Paper Doll,” it sounds like you’ve put so much emotion into that record, that you really want listeners to get a lot out of it that they can apply to their own everyday lives. What kind of relationship to you like to foster with your listeners?

SF: I want to write songs that connect and touch people’s hearts. I want to write the anthem that fires you up, tell a story that breaks your heart or helps you process something. I want my music to evoke emotion and connect. I want to move people.

tS: You’ve been honored with too many awards to list here. Are there any that stand out or any of which you are particularly proud?

SF: The Grammy nomination was and is a massive deal. This is my second one. So that’s something I’m really proud of. The Sherocks award was an honor. To be honored with all these incredible, strong women in the industry, it’s nice to be recognized with some of the greats.

tS: Can you describe your songwriting process? When, where and how do you get your inspiration? When it comes to singing and playing, you seem like a natural. Does songwriting come to you naturally or do you have to work at it?

SF: Songwriting is a skill set just like playing guitar and singing. It’s something you have to develop. I think my best songs start with a melodic hook and build from there. Anytime you can get a melodic, or lyrical hook, right off the bat the song can sort of write itself. You’re just there to connect the dots. I’ve done it a multitude of ways, I have pages and pages full of lyrics and ideas, but again, when the melody comes to you, you have to capture it.

tS: You’ve been called a blues artist, but with the many influences that you cite, how do you describe yourself and your music? Of all your influences, do you have a favorite genre of music that you like to play and/or listen to?

SF: I like all sorts of music. I try not to avoid anything. I think my music is rooted in blues and rock ‘n’ roll, but there are different flavors to that. Sometimes it leans heavier rock, sometimes there’s soul blended in. I love harmonies and different textures. Sometimes that can lean into country, Americana, etc. I like pop sensibilities, so even though I’m not a pop artist, I’ll channel all of that into my writing.

tS: From watching your videos, one gets the impression that you are delightfully plugged in. Do you enjoy playing solo and/or acoustic as well? On stage, do you prefer having a band over playing solo?

SF: I’ve done some solo acoustic shows. And that’s a nice change of pace. It’s an opportunity to really connect with the audience and tell stories. I love playing with a big band though. Nothing takes the place of an amp cranked up, a live drum set. You just feel the energy in the room. I guess my preferred method would be a big, loud, live rock band, but again, I’ll dabble with an acoustic. I still play with dynamics when we’re plugged in though.

tS: You are certainly no stranger to Central Oregon, having played here several times. I have not yet seen you perform live, but friends I’ve talked to loved your performance. Do you keep track of how many states and foreign countries in which you’ve played? Are there any states or countries in which you’d still like to perform?

SF: I’m pretty sure I’ve performed in most every state, but I’m missing Alaska. So I’d like to go there. I’ve been to Europe, India, Japan, Mexico, Canada, the UK, Australia etc… I’d really like to go to Brazil. Anywhere in South America. I’d like to go back to Japan to see more cities. I’d like to go back to New Zealand too.

tS: Are there any major ways in which foreign audiences are different than U.S. audiences, and if so, how are they different?

SF: Sure, certain audiences have different customs and cultures. Maybe some crowds are reserved while others are really rowdy. I think that music is the universal language that connects us all, and in that way, we’re all just trying to see live music that moves us.

tS: Last year you opened for the Rolling Stones at an outdoor venue outside of Branson, Missouri. How did that offer come about and what did you take away from that experience?

SF: That opportunity came through Quint Davis at the Jazz Fest in New Orleans. He had us perform on the same stage in 2024. After our set, he pulled me aside to say he was trying to encourage their people to bring us on for an additional date. They ended up adding another show in Missouri, we got the call. I really have him to thank and my great team for putting that together.

tS: I see that you have tour dates booked through April of next year, including Europe. After that, what’s on the horizon for you in 2026?

SF: More than likely, a lot of touring. I have a live record that I’m going to put out in the spring of next year. Then probably getting back into the studio to work on what’s next.

Samantha Fish + Robert Jon & The Wreck
Mon., Nov. 24, 7:30pm
Tower Theatre
835 NW Wall St., Bend
towertheatre.org/event/samantha-fish
Reserved Seating: $44 - $64 (plus $8 Historic Preservation fee)
Standing Room: $44 (plus $8 Historic Preservation fee)

This article appears in the Source November 20, 2025.