Above and Beyond with Johanna Samuels

Johanna Samuels isn’t a person who loafs around when touring slows down. She had a busy ass year while staying at home, organizing, community building, and writing copious amounts of songs. As we began to see the light, she released her gorgeous album Excelsior!, a deeply personal album dealing with topics ranging from love, sexual assault, the state of the world, death and loss. The album was named for how her dearly missed late grandfather signed his letters, “Excelsior!” meaning ever upward. And moving onward and upward is what Johanna’s music does – it’s a processing mechanism, a gorgeously orchestrated and thoughtfully crafted song suite that works to make beauty out of otherwise difficult or tragic situations. We are blessed to have alchemists like Johanna in our midst who are willing to share their innermost reflections and reveal the magic that uplifts us.

Get Excelsior! on Bandcamp. Out now on Mama Bird Recording Co.