Kashena Sampson Showcase Provides American Sun On A Winter’s Night

by | Feb 6, 2018

Kashena Sampson, a new singer-songwriter from Nashville, made her London debut with an inspiring performance at Hackney’s Paper Dress Vintage.

Kashena Sampson (Edyta K)

Despite the cold winter night, Americana lovers found their way to one of the city’s more unusual venues. Located above (and part of) a clothing shop, Paper Dress Vintage is one of those places you wouldn’t expect live music to be played. Yet it is, and the fully packed club proves there are times when first impressions couldn’t be more wrong.

Kashena Sampson (Edyta K)

Kashena Sampson (Edyta K)

On the night of the Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) Conference Music Showcase, the venue becomes a home for various acts from across the pond. One of them truly stands out from the others and that’s Kashena Sampson. A new rising star of the Americana scene, she cast a magic spell that evening.

Kashena Sampson (Edyta K)

Kashena Sampson (Edyta K)

Kashena’s music combines ’70s folk-rock with a touch of classic country, but serves it all up in a new, unique way. Her music sounds both fresh and somehow familiar, touching hearts and souls, and making the audience swing gently to her rhythm.

Kashena Sampson (Edyta K)

There’s a good reason why she doesn’t need many musicians on stage. Just her voice and guitar, supported by multi-instrumentalist C.J. Hillman (winner of the 2017 AMA-UK Instrumentalist of the Year award), fill the room more than many five-piece bands ever could. Her unbelievable vocal range leaves almost no room for any other instruments. No surprise she was hailed as a new Stevie Nicks by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Kashena Sampson (Edyta K)

Kashena Sampson (Edyta K)

Apart from that incredible voice, Kashena Sampson has one more superpower she might not even be aware of. She’s a first-class storyteller. An old style bard, with the ability to attract crowds yearning to listen to her stories. Her show’s an autobiography converted into songs, with highlights including her debut UK single It’s A Long Way BackNever Gave Up, and Come Back To Me.

Kashena Sampson (Edyta K)

That cold winter night a sun, straight out of a typical scene of American fields and roads, shines in the tiny Hackney club, as she puts an instant charm on the audience.

Kashena Sampson live @ Paper Dress Vintage, London, 31st January 2018
Words and Photography by Edyta K

Korn @ Download Festival XXII - Sunday (Carolina Faruolo)

Masks, Mayhem, And Metal Legacies: Korn Bring Download Festival XXII To A Triumphant, Tear-Up Finale

The third and final day of Download Festival XXII is here, and whilst we’re sad it’s almost over, we’ll save the mourning for tomorrow and dive headfirst into everything it’s got.

Billy Idol @ Wembley Arena (Kalpesh Patel)

Billy Proves He Is No False Idol, But A Truly Authentic One At Wembley Arena

Fresh from being well received at the inaugural Forever Now festival as well as a surprise appearance alongside...
Wide angle photo of Opus Stage and Arena at DownloadXXII

From Chaos To Catharsis: Sleep Token Silence The Doubters As Day Two Of Download Festival XXII Delivers Big Moments And Bigger Emotion

We’re back for Day 2 of Download Festival XXII. Would today live up to the great start we had yesterday? Let’s see…

Bludfest 2025 @ Milton Keynes Bowl (Ruby Boland)

Hello Heaven, Hello! Bludfest Returns Bigger Than Ever!

The elfin Elin Hall makes for the perfect entrance music, America swirling like the threat of rain overhead, as...
Nine Inch Nails @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Trent And Atticus Nine Inch Nail It At The O2 Arena

Every act craves that strong connection with their audience – but how do you achieve this in a cavernous space like The O2 Arena, filled to the brim with around 20,000 fans (all, naturally, dressed in black)? Well, in typical belligerent style, Nine Inch Nails meet this challenge head on – treating us to a set by turns poetic and punishing, and despite the odd technical hiccup, really delivering that all important connection.

L-R: Roger Taylor, John Taylor, Simon Le Bon & Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Duran Duran To Bring Their Spectacular Danse Macabre Halloween Party To Manchester’s Co-Op Live

British music legends Duran Duran have announced their first-ever UK Halloween extravaganza, set to take over Manchester’s Co-Op Live on Friday, 31st October 2025. Promising a night of haunting glamour, sonic mischief and spine-tingling surprises, the one-off show will mark the UK debut of the band’s acclaimed Danse Macabre Halloween Party.

Jane Remover @ Outbreak London 2025

Outbreak Festival Storms London: A Genre-Bending Baptism Of Hardcore, Chaos & Community

Outbreak has been the beating heart of the UK’s hardcore scene since 2011 at its home in Manchester, finally the...
Santana @ The O2 Arena (Kalpesh Patel)

A Higher Frequency: Santana’s Timeless Spirit Lights Up The O2 Arena

As London sweltered under a 32-degree summer solstice sun, a different kind of illumination awaited inside The O2 Arena. Carlos Santana—guitar deity, Woodstock survivor, and spiritual messenger—brought his legendary band and transcendental energy to the capital with his Oneness Tour, proving once again that music, when played with heart and soul, can truly heal.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing