This series spotlights musical artists from The Nasiona‘s first compilation album, Volume 1: Petrichor.
Samantha Pearl’s track “Don’t Let Me Go” is featured in the volume.
Over the past 5 years, Samantha Pearl has made her way overseas, performing in over 9 countries in Europe and the UK as a session guitarist and also performing her own music. She is originally from California and her career in the States led her to New Orleans, where she is currently based. After performing over 20 to 30 shows a month for the past 4 years, Samantha realized that her music deserved to be heard all over the world and started booking her own tours. “It is a process that takes time to build and I will do what it takes to make this happen,” she said.
As she grew with her craft, a part of her wanted to be more of a leader and take greater charge of her career; Samantha has been playing the guitar since she was 5 years old and has known since she was a little girl what her purpose in life was.
She is an artist and a visionary that is creating the life she has dreamed of through music and art. Over the pandemic, Samantha has evolved her sound recording songs in Portland, Oregon, and has painted a whole series of acrylic and gold leaf paintings in New Orleans, Louisiana. With all of the down time during Covid, Samantha didn’t want to feel like any time was wasted and stayed focused and creative. Never in her life did she expect that painting would also be a big part of her career, and has sold many prints of her work, even to fans of her music. The spare time has allowed her to make bigger steps in her career. The creative process has been so moving for her through her music and art. She says, “I will not let myself struggle during times like these, and push even harder to reach where I want to be in life.”
The creative process of this last record has made the pandemic very peaceful and inspiring for her. Her goal in life is to share the wonderful energy she carries through music and art to the world and inspire others with her confidence, strength, beauty and motivation that she puts into her life’s work. Her energy and charisma are things that stick with you after you see her perform and meet her.
Over the past couple of years, Samantha’s sound has shifted and changed so much, as she became a full-time artist. This next release is about embracing confidence & change in who you are. Often times, in order to grow, you have to let go to find the person you want to become. On February 26th, 2021, Samantha Pearl released a music video for her single “Love You With Scars“.
INTERVIEW
What are the differences or similarities you perceive in online and physical music communities, especially when our relationship to proximity has been indelibly altered?
There is nothing like playing music live for people. I miss it so much and can’t wait to play shows again. To be honest over the pandemic I have made some wonderful connections with people/fans online. I appreciate both so much. There definitely has been some adapting I have had to face and work through.
Do you believe in breaking down the barriers that have long kept BIPOC musicians away from the same opportunities as their white peers, or should BIPOC musicians be looking beyond those traditional guidelines to success?
We are all in this and need to break down the barriers and awareness together. A lot of the music that I listen to are BIPOC. They have made so much history in the music industry and continue to.
If you had to solely choose between walking in the legacy of a musician/musical tradition you admire, or forging your own path and inspiring others yourself, which would it be, and why?
I believe in writing your own story. On my journey and path I have come across people that become mentors to me. If anything I would want to make them proud of the path I have paved myself that were influenced by their teachings. When I listen to music I also study the artist. It always intrigues me to see their upbringing and where they came from. I have noticed many similarities with artists that have made history.
Volume 1: Petrichor
About the Album
This first volume of The Nasiona’s music series encapsulates all the glorious highs and the searing lows of navigating the world as an empathetic, curious individual. The works contained in this volume — from mournful piano compositions, dazzling spoken word, spellbinding vocal layered-songs, to beautiful instrumentals — express the intricacies of being an artist of color in a too-often indifferent world; and like the scent that lingers long after the downpour, these masterpieces ask you to sit awhile, to close your eyes, to pay attention.
MUSICAL ARTISTS
ALBUM PRODUCERS
Music and oral narrators have always told stories that are as powerful, as moving as personal essays, and we at The Nasiona want to honor these tradition. For the second compilation audio volume of our BIPOC Music + Spoken Word Series, we seek submissions of tracks that align with our vision of centering, elevating, and amplifying Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, shedding light on neglected and intersectional identity experiences, while also celebrating our beauty, intelligence, creativity, and joy.
Whether you record your music or spoken word professionally, or whether you have gone the DIY way throughout; whether you are an emerging indie artist, or have never released a track or album; or whether you have simply felt overlooked by the mainstream musical landscape: we believe in your voice, your story, and your talent; and we want your work!
Tell us about growing up as a third culture kid, about living through trauma, about being misgendered, about slice-of-life instances of resolution. Tell us about your elations, your sorrows, your moments of quiet tenacity, your rallying cries of rage. Send us a track (or two, or three!) that tells a story, whether in words or through instrumentals. If it matters to you, it deserves a platform.
All genres and languages are welcome. If you identify as BIPOC, we want to showcase your work and profile you.
We can’t wait to experience to your work!
Note that we are here to center, elevate, and amplify your work. You keep all the rights to your work.
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