Bio
Formed in 2016, Samana Rising features a fresh take on today's popular music blending different styles like pop, rock, blues, funk and soul to create their own musical genre. The band slowly built a reputation as a must see live act in their native area of Stavanger, Norway. Samana Rising released their debut single Time to Wake Up in October 2017. The single was well received by fans and critics alike. Stavanger Aftenblad gave a rave review of the song. Time to Wake Up also received some airplay at local radio stations.
Samana Rising spent a weekend in early February at SkamBra Studios in Kvernaland, Norway where they teamed up with producer Jørgen Manke to continue to record a few songs. The first song from this collaboration, Without Your Love, was released in April 2018. The single was included on Stavanger Aftenblad’s official Spotify playlist as one of the best new released tracks of week 17. Without Your Love was well received and the first release of the band that was played on international radio. Nova Radio Newcastle, UK dubbed Samana Rising as – ‘’future starts in the making.’’
The second song from these sessions, Dizzy, was released as their third single in August 2018. Dizzy was very well received and gained the attention of music blogs in the UK and USA. About this song it was said that "it's a masterpiece of a track which you would have a hard time comparing to any other contemporary act on the scene to date"(anrfactory.com), and "wherever they are pointing their toes Samana Rising are able to deliver their own twist to the blend"(emergingindiebands.com). Geir Flatø recommended the song on Stavanger Aftenblad's playlist on Spotify.
Samana Rising also played several live shows during 2018, before 2019 turned out to be a more quiet year, due to the fact that lead singer Hanne Sivertsen gave birth to her first child. The band came together again in the fall, and then intensified the work on their debut album. Jørgen Manke produced and mixed the album, in the studio Storyteller Recording at Kverneland. The band enlisted a skilled horn section and backup singers on most tracks on the album.
The first single Another Day was released on digital streaming platforms with a music video on the bands' Youtube on the 20th of March 2020. Another Day received critical praise and was quickly picked up by several national radio stations in Norway.
Debut album Days Without You was released on April 24th 2020 on vinyl, CD and digital streaming services. The song material on is varied and reflects the band members different sources of inspiration. The overall genrè is blues rock, but you can also hear pop, soul & funk influences.
Due to the Covid-19 virus outbreak, Samana Rising had to cancel all of their planned concerts for the spring and summer of 2020. They did a few gigs in 2021, but then went into hiatus for another period, due to Hanne giving birth to her second child. Henriette Hodne started doing backing vocals for the band in this period, and has become a regular member of the band.
In 2022 the activity was rising once again, with new songs being written, and planning for new recordings started. Samana Rising did several gigs in 2023, and also recorded new songs in ArtBeat Studio at Bryne, produced by Bjørn Erik Sørensen. Releases are planned in 2024, together with even more gigs.
Members:
Hanne Sivertsen – Lead Vocals
Henriette Hodne - Backing Vocals
Leif Johan Flornes - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Vegard Pettersen - Guitar/Backing Vocals
John David Didriksen - Bass/Backing Vocals
Are Øverland – Drums