Johanna Samuels’ debut album Excelsior! is out digitally today on Basin Rock (physical due in July). Arguably leaving the best to last, to mark its release she’s sharing the music video for the album’s opener “Sonny”. The video, directed by Jon J. Lee, sees Samuels baring her soul from the back of an old Chevy pickup with her belongings packed up tight leaving town. Speaking to the immensely personal nature of the song and the corresponding video, Samuels says:
“This song is the most vulnerable song on the record for me, it is an artifact of another time in my life and a reminder to stay true to my authenticity. It always makes me cry. I really did scale that big fence in Santa Fé a few years ago! I was so lucky to be able to work with director Jon Lee who really seemed to understand my tenderness around it and captured something that feels like an accurate depiction of my gooey insides.”
Order the album via Bandcamp: https://johannasamuels.bandcamp.com/album/excelsior
Samuels’ Excelsior! was produced and recorded by Sam Evian at his studio in New York’s Catskill Mountains and features vocal appearances from Courtney Marie Andrews, Lomelda, Olivia Kaplan, A.O. Gerber, Hannah Cohen and Maví Lou. “All Is Fine” sees Johanna Samuels on Rhodes and vocals, Harrison Whitford and Sam Evian on guitar, Garret Lang on bass, Sean Mullins on drums and percussion, with A.O. Gerber on backing vocals.
The Johanna Samuels Band Performing Excelsior!, a concert film directed by Caitlin Gerard, featuring Johanna Samuels and band (including Madison Cunningham) performing the album in its entirety at Pico Union Project in Los Angeles. The film will air on Wednesday, June 9th at 6PM Eastern / 9PM Pacific and will stream through Sunday, June 13th. Tickets are available now.
Photo Credit: Ellyn Jameson