Sasami Ashworth (born June 23, 1990), known mononymously as Sasami, is an American musician who records music in a variety of styles, from singer-songwriter ballads to heavy metal and industrial.[1] She began her career as a member of Cherry Glazerr but went solo in 2018. Her most recent album, Squeeze, was released in 2022.

Sasami
Sasami performing in 2018
Sasami performing in 2018
Background information
Birth nameSasami Ashworth
Born (1990-06-23) June 23, 1990 (age 33)
OriginLos Angeles, California
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • bass
  • guitar
  • French horn
Years active2012–present
LabelsDomino
Formerly ofCherry Glazerr
Websitesasamiashworth.com

Career edit

Early life edit

Sasami Ashworth comes from a Zainichi family.[2] After she graduated from the Eastman School of Music in 2012, she scored and made orchestral arrangements for films, commercials and studio albums, and worked as a music teacher in Los Angeles, where she is currently based.[1] In 2015, she joined the American rock band Cherry Glazerr with whom she played synths and toured for two and a half years before announcing her departure in January 2018 to pursue her solo musical career.[3][4]

Solo career edit

In April 2018, Sasami shared her first solo track "Callous" on SoundCloud, which Pitchfork awarded with their "Best New Track" label.[5] Later that year Domino Recording Company announced that Sasami had signed to their label, and released the songs "Callous" and "Not the Time". The Fader called Sasami "rock's next big thing."[6] Sasami stated, "I wrote both of these songs on tour on a guitar on my iPad with GarageBand plugins and Moog 15 app sounds and then re-recorded them in the studio onto tape with really great tones. So it's kind of like emotionally scribbling a letter on a tear and snot-stained napkin and then re-writing it on fancy papyrus paper to make it look like you have your shit together."[6] The songs were released on a 7" vinyl in October 2018.[7]

Throughout 2018, Sasami toured with various musicians, including Baths, No Joy, King Tuff,[8] Mitski, Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail and Menace Beach.[6][9] In early 2019, Sasami announced her eponymous debut studio album, Sasami, and released two more singles.[10] The album was released in March of that year.[11] In February 2022 Sasami released her second album, Squeeze, on Domino. The album received many positive reviews and was named as one of the best albums of the year by Rolling Stone,[12] among others. In 2023, Sasami toured in support of Yeule as a solo performer and guitarist in Yeule’s band.[13]

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

Title Details
Sasami
  • Released: March 8, 2019
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download
Squeeze
  • Released: February 25, 2022
  • Label: Domino
  • Formats: LP, CD, digital download

Singles edit

Title Year Album
"Callous" 2018 Sasami
"Not the Time"
"Jealousy" 2019
"Free"
"The Greatest" 2021 Squeeze[14]
"Skin A Rat"
"Say It" 2022
"Call Me Home"

Credits edit

Year Album Artist Credit(s) Ref.
2014 At Best Cuckold Avi Buffalo Horns [15]
2017 Face Your Fear Curtis Harding String arrangements [16]
2018 Indigo Wild Nothing Background vocals [17]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "SASAMI Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  2. ^ "Artist of the Month: Enter SASAMI's World of Fantasy". Consequence. February 21, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  3. ^ "SASAMI signs to Domino". Domino Recording Company. October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  4. ^ Rettig, James (April 3, 2018). "SASAMI – "Callous"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  5. ^ Farrell, Margaret (April 5, 2018). ""Callous" by SASAMI Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Wang, Steffanee (October 9, 2018). "SASAMI is rock's next big thing". The Fader. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  7. ^ "Sasami | Domino Mart". sasami.dominomart.com. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  8. ^ Sacher, Andrew (April 25, 2018). "SASAMI (ex-Cherry Glazerr) has a new song, touring w/ King Tuff & Cut Worms". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  9. ^ Rettig, James (October 9, 2018). "SASAMI Shares New Song "Not the Time"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  10. ^ Maicki, Salvatore (February 14, 2019). "SASAMI enlists Devendra Banhart for contemplative new single "Free"". The Fader. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  11. ^ Renshaw, David (January 9, 2019). "SASAMI shares "Jealousy" and confirms debut album details". The Fader. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  12. ^ "The 100 Best Albums of 2022". Rolling Stone. December 1, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  13. ^ "Logging Off and Rocking Out With yeule, Pop's Internet Explorer". Pitchfork. September 11, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "SASAMI releases new track "Call Me Home"". The Line of Best Fit.
  15. ^ "At Best Cuckold – Avi Buffalo | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  16. ^ "Face Your Fear – Curtis Harding | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  17. ^ "Indigo – Wild Nothing | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 10, 2018.

External links edit