Joining us in the studio for this Indie Rock Hit Parade session is a musician prolific and versatile producer and session player. Los Angeles-based Sasami Ashworth leads the namesake project SASAMI, an outlet for her creative and eclectic solo work. Previously a member of Cherry Glazerr and King Tuff, Sasami’s solo career was cemented in 2019 with the release of her self-titled debut. An intimate collection of home-recorded hooks, Sasami is a showcase not just for Ashworth’s songwriting but her ear-catching production style.
Those sonic signatures would later be heard on albums by hand habits, Vagabon, and Curtis Harding, and eventually on Ashworth’s own sophomore release, Squeeze. Released near the start of this year, Squeeze is a bold (and occasionally bewildering) mix of overdriven instrumentation and stately melodies. “System of a Down meets Sheryl Crow” seems to be the most succinct way of describing it. While on tour with Haim, SASAMI (the band) stopped by our studio to perform a set of new songs.
Ashworth and guitarist Graham Brooks trade riffs on “The Greatest,” bassist Jon Kelley gets into a deep groove on the chorus of “Call Me Home,” and on “Say It,” drummer Dylan Blake melds live rhythms with industrial beats for a nearly overwhelming stomp. Just like on the album, the session closes with “Not a Love Song,” featuring an extended intro from Brooks and a soaring vocal from Ashworth.
Listen to SASAMI’s Indie Rock Hit Parade session below, and check out Paige Walter’s photos from the studio. Paige also interviewed Ashworth earlier this year.
After the band finished recording this session, Sasami was photographed in and around our studio by Jason Rodgers, and those pictures appear alongside Sasami’s recent profile in Them magazine. Check that out HERE.