Interview with Welsh Connections

 
Samana interview with Welsh Connections

It was a pleasure talking to Welsh Connections about our music.

“Rebecca & Franklin of Samana join Mike in the studio to talk about their new album, All One Breath, forthcoming tour and the origins of the band and their music. A fascinating insight onto one of our most innovative and daring bands who are pushing the boundaries of forming music and creating, in the process, something quite beautiful”

'Harris can almost sound like the ghost of Nico' - Isra Box

 

Shindig Magazine

 

Thanks to Shindig magazine for the write up about ‘Patience’

“And here’s one for lovers of voluptuous slow burners. Last year Rebecca Rose Harris and Franklin Mockett were travelling from the Welsh countryside to France when lockdown stopped them before they could reach their destination. They repaired to an old wooden barn, where their second LP as Samana quickly took shape. The duo know how to make the best of slow-paced sounds. ‘Patience’ is a dirge-like number, all languid vocals (in places they bring to mind Cowboy Junkies’ rework of ‘Sweet Jane’) and atmospheric guitars that finally burst into a cathartic solo.

 

13th Floor Magazine Interview

 

Watch our interview with New Zeland magazine ‘The 13th Floor’ where we discussed the nuances of the album, and the philosophy behind Samana.

"Samana, a Welch dream-pop duo, have just released their album, All One Breath. Here they are to tell us about finding the balance between chaos and tranquility."

 

'All One Breath' Out Today!

 
 
 

Dear Friends,

The day has finally come! We are incredibly thrilled to announce the release of 'All One Breath' today. From here the record shall venture out into the world, to form connections, instils emotions and deepen our bonds.

You can get your hands on the limited dinked edition vinyl (with heavy weight, natural coloured vinyl, exclusive packaging and artwork, an additional secret track on flexi-disc and signed photographic insert) as well as the regular vinyl, cd and digital album which is available on all platforms.

We hope that all of the love and emotion that we gave to this record, finds its way to you as you immerse yourself in the music.

Live Review - London, Lafayette

 
 

Thank you to Square One Magazine for their live review of our performance at Lafayette in London

“As the arch’s soft white light and blue backlights illuminated the stage, a ghostly backing track grabbed the attention of all present. One by one, each member of Samana wandered onto the stage barefoot, creating the feeling of woodland fairies tiptoeing through a forest guided by the moonlight. They opened with the mystical and seraphic ballad ‘The Glory Of Love’, which was a spiritual experience reminiscent of the early work of London Grammar.

Lead singer Rebecca Rose’s angelic voice left the audience hypnotised by her presence as if she were a siren. The deep blue backlights and absence of spotlighting throughout the set created ethereal silhouettes which enhanced Rebecca’s delicate arm movements. The third song in their magical set was titled ‘The Beach’, which they explained was written in the French mountains in solitude with the fields and the hills. The song processes a dream-like quality that flawlessly reflects the environment it was written in. The deep and melodic backing vocals sounded like something that could be heard in a monastery. The closing song in their esoteric set was ‘Live For The Road’, which featured Rebecca moving with a tambourine gently across the stage as if she were dancing with the wind and delicately tapping the instrument against her forearm to the rhythm of the song. Their entire set was mesmerising and left the whole room in a state of astonishment.”

Folk Radio

 
 

A big thank you to Folk Radio for their attentive review of our album ‘All One Breath’

Click on the button to read the full review below

“Using traditional grounding, they travel on pathways far less rooted in the old ways. For a band born in England before moving to Wales, they seem more honed in on the culture of the American West. That dichotomy rests at the heart of their music. Wanders in worlds of the unfamiliar, they imbue their music a similar sense of rootlessness.

No one seems to know melancholy the way Samana does; it rests in every pore. The guitars that open “Melancholy Heat” are like old friends, yet as Harris and Mockett sing, it all becomes clear, “I’ve come to understand, the pain in all I’ve known/ The importance to be rooted down/ The art of letting go.” Like an old blues guitarist, Mockett imbues “The Glory of Love” with a downhome slide work. Yet, the piece takes off in directions that incorporate the blues while not feeling particularly bluesy, which seems to be Samana’s secret gift.

The languid opening to “Patience” has the feel of old Fleetwood Mac, circa “Albatross,” yet thanks to a guitar solo, ends up going down roads that Peter Green and Danny Kirwan never imagined. Yet, at no time does the song feel out of place or forced into directions that stray from the pathways Samana have established.

Harris can sound almost like the ghost of Nico at one point, but in the following line, her tone and texture is miles away, making for an interesting blend of the foreign and familiar. 

At the heart of Samana and All One Breath opposite worlds seem to coalesce forming contradictions that are part of the very fabric of life. They travel emotional pathways through a constantly changing landscape, documenting moments that may never come again.”

Album Review

Thank you Outline Magazine for the review on our album ‘All One Breath’

“Both the album title and the duo's name encapsulate the essence of their sound, as well as highlighting the route of their spiritual path. 'All One Breath' traces a circular journey and embraces a panoramic range of style and influences, ranging from progressive folk to transcendental blues. It serves as an exploration of silence, solitude and time, as well as a recollection of personal experience and memories. By the time we reach 'Leaving', and 'Begin Again' (with its gently strummed guitar, and cello accompaniment), it is almost as though the listener has been taken on their own enlightening journey of discovery as well.”

Live Review

A review of our stripped back performance in February whilst on tour by Rockwell Unscene Magazine


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“Samana are a duo from the Welsh valleys who explore an array of musical styles whilst maintaining a tranquil essence at the core of their work. To limit them to music would be doing a disservice as its evident from the website that Rebecca and Franklin's artistic journey incorporates other avenues including intriguing photography. Tonight, Samana are unleashing tracks from their new album ‘All One Breath‘ beginning with an alt-folk number called ‘Glory Of Love.’ Slide guitar beautifully complements the alto vocals which remind me of Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blonde with the rich lower register surging up to reach the higher notes. ‘Harvest‘ sees a move into a more up tempo number, as the finger picking guitar contrasts with Rebecca’s swooping voice which she uses more as an instrument than for the lyrics as the song crescendos to its finale. Samana effectively use delay and reverb with both instrumentation and vocals to produce a dreamy wave of sound that allows the listener to drift to alternative landscapes. The final song, ‘Live For The Road,’ captures the ambience of driving along an open deserted road through middle America with a sense of freedom. Having experienced Samana’s live performance and now their recorded work, I can truly appreciate why Guy Garvey is championing them!”