Samantha Fish seeks to emulate latest live album with first release
Samantha Fish isn’t a fan of her first live album; that’s why she sought redemption with her latest release, ‘Paper Doll Live.’ Building on the success of her Grammy Award-nominated 2025 studio album ‘Paper Doll,’ Fish’s new offering was recorded on October 7 at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. The album, containing 16 songs digitally, 15 on CD, and nine on LP, is set to be released on June 12, featuring Fish and her band alongside the McCrary Sisters on backing vocals.
The idea for ‘Paper Doll Live’ was conceived by Rounder Records in the spring of the previous year, responding to long-standing requests from fans. Fish shares that the material from ‘Paper Doll’ was particularly well-suited for live performances, resonating with audiences in a profound way. She notes, “I’ve noticed every song from that record really does work well when you bring it to the stage, and I feel like the audience has really gotten ahold of it and gets it.”
With anticipation building around the project, Fish explains, “I think the label heard the potential and thought it would be a great time to put it out. It’s nice when everybody is on the same page.” ‘Paper Doll Live’ is a significant milestone for Fish, not just as her latest project but also as her most genuine live album to date. Reflecting on her first live album, ‘Live Bait’ in 2009, Fish describes it as a “sh*tty one,” created independently and lacking the quality she desired due to her limited experience at the time.
While her subsequent live effort in 2012, ‘Girls With Guitars Live,’ was an improvement, it was a collaborative project with Dani Wilde and Victoria Smith. However, ‘Paper Doll Live’ marks a significant personal achievement and a testament to Fish’s growth as an artist over the past 17 years and 12 albums. This latest release captures the essence of her music in its purest form, offering fans an unparalleled experience of her live performance at the Bijou Theatre.
Samantha Fish’s journey from her first live album to ‘Paper Doll Live’ is a symbol of her evolution as an artist, showcasing not only her musical prowess but also her commitment to delivering quality work that resonates with audiences. As she prepares to release ‘Paper Doll Live,’ Fish stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication in the face of artistic challenges, proving that with time and experience, true mastery can be achieved.