Kashena Sampson

New Album ‘time machine’ out now

Bio - kashena Sampson

“I had $3 in my bank account but I thought, ‘I’m working on Tuesday, I’ll be ok. Then the tornado hit and that didn’t happen.’” Last year, Kashena Sampson had plans in place for her new album Time Machine, but then — well, life happened.

The Nashville-based singer-songwriter had already finished her forthcoming album — an 11-song journey through her struggles with co-dependency and finding herself, illuminated by a voice that harkens back to a time when Linda Rondstadt and Fleetwood Mac reigned supreme — and then her path shifted, as did that of so many other musicians over the past year. A singular part of her story, though, is that Kashena also funds her music through a bartending job at The Basement East, which was destroyed by the March 2020 tornado that hit Nashville just a few weeks before the pandemic did. 

“I had the record ready to go, and then the tornado took away the funding for it,” she says, in a matter-of-fact manner that speaks a lot about who Kashena is: she’s easygoing by nature, but also quietly assured in her ability to consistently figure things out. “Here in times of stillness, I know I’ll be okay / If I listen to it closely, I always find my way,” she sings on the album’s title track. 

“It's about your past, where you came from, what made you who you are today,” she says of the song. “Nobody really knows what they are doing. We are all just trying to figure out this life thing, and the answers can always be found within.” 

When having a conversation with Kashena, there’s a sneaking suspicion she’s always been just as introspective as she is now. She offers the kind of comments and observations that make it clear she’s always had a knack for tapping into what’s happening around her and identifying the universal feelings that both trouble and fuel us all.  

“Time Machine tells the story of my struggles with codependency, personal growth and self worth,” she says. “My internal struggle with relationships, the music business, and trying to find joy in the little things in life. In the past, I’ve always looked for things outside myself to fix me and I’ve always come up short. It’s the journey of me discovering that happiness and contentment is an inside job and nothing outside of myself is going to fix that.”

Time Machine was recorded in February 2019 with producer Jon Estes, who played bass, piano, cello and organ on the album, and with whom she also worked with for 2017’s Wild Heart. They tracked everything to tape over two days, along with Jeremy Fetzer on guitar, Jon Radford on drums and Elizabeth Estes on strings. 

“Hello Darkness” is the lone cover on the album, originally performed by Dutch psych-rock band Shocking Blue. Covers themselves are familiar territory for Kashena, who spent several years performing on a cruise ship that took her around the world  — Australia, Italy, Vietnam, Romania, and the Amazon among her many destinations — before she made her way to Nashville, from her home town of Las Vegas. During her three-year stint, she performed a wide array of shows ranging from Opera to Motown to Broadway and ‘60s and ‘70s covers. Eventually, mixed in among Joan Baez, Dolly Parton and John Denver, she started adding in her original songs that her patrons loved. 

Following her travels, Kashena ventured to Nashville — sight unseen. In the years since her move in 2015, she’s become a valuable member of the local music community, as evidenced by some of her co-writers on the album: Erin Rae, Mary Bragg and Kyshona Armstrong. Along with Kashena’s sister, Jolana Sampson, all of the originals were written by women. 

“Alone and In Love Again,” “The Black Sea” and “Work of Art” each discuss various aspects of relationships: dysfunction, nostalgia and eventually moving on. “I Plead Desire” is a classic fairytale of unrequited love, inspired in part by a misheard lyric from Judee Sill’s “Jesus Was A Crossmaker.” 

“From The Outside” takes a closer look at the daily struggles of a musician’s life: “It takes a lot of dedication and sacrifice to follow your dreams and not get discouraged. People see the end results but they don't always see the work it takes to get those results. I’m reminded when I’m on stage and performing for people that this is my passion, this brings me joy, and that I was given a gift to share with people, to help them escape from the realities of life momentarily or to relate on an emotional level and not feel so alone.” 

“Whole Lot Better” is a driving anthem of self-assuredness, celebrating new beginnings. “I had just moved into my very own place for the first time in about eight years,”  Kashena says. “This song just came to me, I wrote it in an hour.”

“Little Spot of Sun” presents an opportunity to appreciate the small joys in life, like a dog laying in the sunshine. “It’s about searching for the good in life and finding your happiness. Dogs do a great job of this,” Kashena says. “No matter what our past struggles have been, we can choose to live in the moment and find gratitude in each day. It’s a reminder that nothing is permanent. When things are bad, hold on because it will get better again, and when things are good enjoy it because there will be low spots again.” 

It’s been a little more than a year since Kashena Sampson’s life shifted, since her plans changed, since she re-grouped and found a way amidst incredibly difficult circumstances. If Time Machine is Kashena discovering her own resilience, its release may just be the strongest example of doing just that, on her own terms. 

Kashena will release three singles from Time Machine in summer 2021, followed by the full album on September 10, 2021.

Press 

NPR 10 Nashville Artists On The Rise (May 2022)

Lonesome Highway (Sept 2021)

“An album that points to some deeply fervent soul searching by Sampson, you’re left with the impression of a cleansing and exorcism of darker times in the writer’s past and of acceptance and positivity going forward. On the strength of this most impressive recording, it’s no surprise that she is an integral part of that hugely talented group of female singer songwriters in the East Nashville musical community.”

FOLK RADIO UK (Sept 2021)
"If her debut offered an initial promise that Sampson was a timeless voice for the years, this is a 24-carat confirmation that she belongs in the ranks of the greats. Her gold will not tarnish."

Mother Church Pew (Sept 2021)

“Time Machine has many of the elements of Kashena Sampson’s prior work, most notably her classic vocals with the range to carry a world of lyrical emotion. However, it shows clear progression as well—a maturity in both lyrical crafting and smart production.”

ROLLINGSTONE (June 2021)

“Nashville singer-songwriter Kashena Sampson mines a little bit of the sizzle from Dusty in Memphis for “Whole Lot Better,” the lead offering from her new album Time Machine. In the midst of tough circumstances, she finds a way to celebrate new beginnings: “Got a lot better since I moved out from the Eastside,” she sings, the garage-rock rave up arrangement echoing her jubilation.”

GLIDE MAGAZINE (June 2021)

“Today Glide is excited to premiere the video for “Whole Lot Better,” a driving anthem of self-assuredness, celebrating new beginnings. With a spunky groove and guitar, Sampson layers in her 70s folk-soul vocals as she rambles about and assures herself that everything will be alright. Bringing to mind Dusty Springfield but with more soul, Sampson keeps the good vibes flowing as she dances around her yard and croons with abandon. Of course, there is plenty of rocking to back her up and make this one hell of a fun tune.”

LIGHTNING 100 (June 2021)

“Kashena continues to prove she is not afraid to write from the heart.”

AMERICANA UK (June 2021)

“Listen to the welcome return of a great voice.”

ROLLINGSTONE (July 2017)

"Sounds Like: An East Nashville salute to the glory days of California country-rock, shot through with Seventies swoon and swagger. For Fans of: Bobbie Gentry's string arrangements, Stevie Nicks' vibrato, Erin Rae's crooning calm."  

ROLLINGSTONE (February 2019)

"East Nashville's Kashena Sampson channels Joni Mitchell in 'Work Of Art'. Her performance here is particularly wispy, as her voice lilts and draws out some gorgeously understated notes. The instrumentation reinforces the song’s subtle nature, evoking the best of Seventies folk." 

AMERICAN SONGWRITER (2017)

"Prior to the forthcoming release, Sampson has shared “Hold Me Close,” a somber ballad that considers the dangerous intensity of a former romance." 

MOTHER CHURCH PEW-LIVE SHOW REVIEW (October 2017)

"It takes something special to connect with an audience and leave everyone wanting more.  Kashena Sampson’s bluesy, soulful voice alone would make any room take notice, but that’s not enough for Sampson.  Whether you consider it soul-influenced country, folk, or Americana, like those that lit the path before her (Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, a touch of Amy Winehouse), it’s her lyrical storytelling paired with a powerhouse voice that gives her that real Nashville sound.”

ROCK SHOT MAG-LIVE SHOW REVIEW (February 2018)

"Her music sounds both fresh and somehow familiar, touching hearts and souls, and making the audience swing gently to her rhythm. Apart from that incredible voice, she’s a first-class storyteller. An old style bard, with the ability to attract crowds yearning to listen to her stories." 

FOLK RADIO UK - SONG PREMIERE (January 2018)

"A timeless enchantress, Kashena combines a 70s folk-rock aesthetic and sound, which draws on a California country and classic Laurel Canyon, quickly garnered flattering comparisons to giants such as Nicks, Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt as well as cult heroes such as Barbara Keith, Jim Croce and Bobbie Gentry." 

THE  405 - A CONVERSATION WITH KASHENA SAMPSON

"Sampson has the rare ability to shift moods, tones, and sounds while maintaining a cohesive atmosphere and sound. Her honest songwriting and heartfelt singing is among the very best out there today."

LAS VEGAS WEEKLY (August 2017)

"Las Vegan Kashena Sampson makes her own way in country music's capital"

NEW COMMUTE (August 2017)

"Kashena Sampson gracefully tames her raw and mystic spirit for her debut record, Wild Heart"

Other Features:

THE BLUEGRASS SITUATION - SONG PREMIERE “Greasy Spoon” (July 2017)

LIVERPOOL SOUND AND VISION - ALBUM REVIEW (August 2018)

ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS COUNTRY (February 2018)

THE BLUEGRASS SITUATION - SONG PREMIERE “Hello Darkness” (July 2021)

Kashena Sampson