Based in Vancouver, Sam Lynch has long used music to make sense of the world around her. Writing songs from a young age, Lynch’s process and inspiration have slowly changed across this period, her focus shifting from her immediate surroundings and experiences to something more wide ranging—the cross-generational emotions that form the backbone of a culture’s stories.
It wasn’t until 2016 that Lynch truly found her voice. After a moment of upheaval, she decided to give away most of her belongings and set out for Europe, travelling solo in an effort to escape the familiar and find herself. The journey led her to a central German farm and its out-of-tune piano, a location that would come to represent the birthplace of a brand new collection of songs that signals a new chapter in Sam Lynch’s musical style.
Upon her return to Canada, Lynch set to work on the new tracks. Recording some in her basement and others in Montreal with producer Sam Woywitka, Lynch was joined by Isaac Symonds and Dylan Phillips (Half Moon Run), Mishka Stein (Patrick Watson) and Volodia Schneider (Aliocha), plus Leif Vollebekk lent piano to some of the songs. The result is a diverse album linked by a driving sincerity, delving into moments of vulnerability and tenderness with an experimental and evocative sound.
Lead single ‘Not My Body’ serves as the perfect introduction. The arrangement’s restraint belies the true power at the centre of the track, something made tangible in the smoky depths of Lynch’s vocals. Eventually the instrumentation rises with its own swelling intricacy, producing a track that is at once delicate and confident.
The song comes complete with a suitably atmospheric video directed by Lester Lyons-Hookham, which you can check out below:
‘Not My Body’ is out now and you can find Sam Lynch on Bandcamp.
