Samantha Crain is a longtime musician, creating music that withstands boundaries.
“‘Folk’ is one of those words that feels both limiting and open-ended,” she said.
“I do think of myself as a part of a tradition of storytelling and community expression,” she added. “I make songs that are narrative-driven and emotionally tuned-in, but I like to play with sound — textures, synths, arrangements — depending on what the story needs. I don’t like to sit in one box too long.”
After sharing the stage with acts such as Neutral Milk Hotel and Brandi Carlile, Crain will be returning to the Kilby Court stage on June 30 with her latest release, “Gumshoe.” Released on May 2, “Gumshoe” takes many shapes, reiterating Crain’s reluctance to stay outside the box. Coming from a space of “personal burnout” and raw versatility, each song has its own story to tell, as the listener sits in anticipation of the next lyric. This is something Crain described as a rewarding experience as a musician and songwriter.
“I love the part where the song finally takes shape,” she said. “It feels a little like magic every time. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling … and songwriting became the language I used to understand myself and the world.”
Having released music since 2009 with the album “Songs in the Night,” Crain has made a name for herself working on projects including the score for the award-winning film, premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023 – “Fancy Dance.” Since then, Crain has worked to create music that is effortlessly connected to her mind and body; her state of being. Not only that, but also to the world and the people around her. This wasn’t always the case.
“My creative process used to be tied to timelines or external expectations,” Crain said. “Now it’s more about honoring whatever rhythm my mind and body need.”
With “Gumshoe,” there is not only personality but a tonal shift to a vulnerable side listeners haven’t received from Crain. Each track has an experimental tone and has shifted away from the light, folk-like instrumentation to a new form of sound waves that are not only a good listen but also a deeper connection to Crain as a musician and as a person.
She said her music used to be a project of solitude, with no dependence on others to create. “Gumshoe” is different in that she worked with others who had a similar view of what the project meant for Crain and what it could be for listeners.
“[My] early work came from a place of raw urgency and storytelling instinct. Since then, each record has felt like a marker of growth, not just in terms of sound but in how I approach honesty, experimentation and resilience,” she said.
Crain takes inspiration from many sides of the musical spectrum. From Lucinda Williams, Cat Power and Jonathan Richman, each factor into the unapologetic genre-bending musicianship of Crain. Within her newfound process of writing and composing, she has also taken care of her creative side in more ways than the strum of a guitar.
“Lately, I’ve also found a lot of inspiration in non-musical art [like] beading, painting, really anything tactile and creative,” she said. “Things that require patience and attention to detail. I find that kind of slowness and focus really fuels creativity.”
Crain will be performing at Kilby Court on June 30, and you can find tickets here.
“It feels especially right for this tour, because Gumshoe is such a personal record,” she said. “I can’t wait to be back.”
l.hansen@dailyutahchronicle.com
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