Sasami Ashworth, recent Domino Records signee and former keyboardist of Cherry Glazerr, records under the name SASAMI and has been making waves despite releasing only two tracks so far. She’s played on bills with Mitski, King Tuff, Snail Mail, Japanese Breakfast and more as well as lending vocals, horn and string arrangements to recordings from Vagabon, Curtis Harding and Hand Habits.
SASAMI stopped by the Paste Studio in New York City this week to perform her previously released tracks—”Not The Time” and “Callous”—as well as two new songs—”Take Care” and “Free.” “Not The Time” and “Callous” are engrossing, introspective breakup songs, met with her warm, lush vocals, melodic guitars and utterly mystifying synths. Though you don’t get a sense of her full sound—complete with percussion and her awe-inspiring keyboard playing—in this session, you still get her emotionally transparent songwriting, immensely comforting vocals and dreamy guitars, all communicated with such grace.
Her interview with Paste’s studio host and videographer Brad Wagner is also filled with hilarious and ridiculous banter, so you should come for her laugh-out-loud quips and stay for her pensive, absorbing songwriting.
If you’re on the West Coast, you can catch her hometown headlining show in Los Angeles at the Echo on Jan. 4, with support from Rebecca Schiffman and Slut Island.
Watch SASAMI’s full Paste Studio session below.