Meld the power of Adele with the eclecticism of Kate Bush, the intimacy of Tori Amos, the charming flair of Stevie Nicks and a dash of Taylor Swift, what do you have? You have Samsara, of course. Hailing from the UK, singer-songwriter Samsara traipses across jazz, pop, country and rock with her evocative vocals and melodies. From fronting a teenage band at the age of 15 to singing with stars like Don Henley, Steve Winwood, and Bryan Adams, and now releasing music as a solo artist, Samsara is an exciting artist to say the least.
After leaving music behind because of a cumulative abusive marriage where her husband wouldn’t allow her to sing, Samsara steps up to prove she may have taken a step back, but music is in her soul. Reaching audiences across the globe with chart-topping songs like ‘Love For All Time’, ‘Without You’ and ‘Hard To Love’, Samsara is difficult to ignore and we’re taking a gander into her single ‘Invisible’.
Released in 2022, ‘Invisible’ followed her single ‘Anything’ and brought listeners a soft, soothing country sound. Easily placed on any stage in Nashville, ‘Invisible’ has a toe-tapping element reminiscent of acts like Reba McIntyre and Tori Amos. Yet, while there is a powerful mainstream country sound, Samsara’s obscure vocals add a unique tinge to the ballad. Rich, confident and warm, her voice pulls you tight in a big hug while the instrumentation wraps you both in a comfortable blanket. Interestingly, while the song has a simplistic acoustic soundscape, the single is kaleidoscopic with a charming harmony in the arrangement.
A natural storyteller, Samsara shares reflective songs of life, love and journeys. ‘Invisible’ uses an intimate personal narrative to resonate with people who “feel invisible”. Yet, while there is a melancholic tone, hopefulness also exists in the moving single.
In addition to the single, Samsara released a lyric music video for ‘Invisible’. You can view the video below or on her YouTube channel.
For more from Samsara, check out her Facebook, TwitterInstagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
CBC Ottawa’s Creator Network is a place where young digital storytellers from diverse backgrounds can produce original video content to air on CBC and tell stories through their own lens.
Get in touch to pitch your idea, or check out our other Creator Network stories at cbc.ca/creatornetworkott.
When Faisa Omer switches on the bright lights and turns her camera on her subject, she knows the power of her lens to highlight the good, the bad and the stories of those who step into her spotlight.
The 31-year-old photographer and mental health counselor says she was blown away by the response to her first major photography project, which shed light on the racism her brother and his friends had experienced growing up Black in Ottawa community housing.
That led to gallery exposure and Omer’s photos being put on display in the mayor’s office, as well as his decision to expand the project across other communities across Ottawa, which he and videographer Hersi Osman documented for CBC Ottawa’s Creator Network.
Only this time, Omer decided to focus not only on the challenges and difficulties faced by Black youth, but also what makes them proud.
“Sometimes the trauma we go through kind of becomes who we are.… That’s what [people] see, what they remember,” explained Omer.
Telling that complicated story through images has become the photographer’s goal.
“We’re more than just these negative experiences that happened to us. We also have joy, we’re complex, just like other people, right? I wanted to showcase that and their hopes and dreams instead of just the negative side of the spectrum.”
Omer says she was overwhelmed by the feedback she received after posting photos of Black youth in her neighborhood and their stories of racism on her Instagram feed. (CBC)
Rooted in Ritchie
Omer’s first project started in the summer of 2020, when he asked his brother Abdullah, then 17, and his friends to pose in his family’s Ritchie Street basement.
She posted the photos to Instagram alongside the first-person stories they’d shared of their experiences being Black and growing up in a neighborhood that’s often in the headlines for the wrong reasons. It touched a nerve.
After Omer’s images of Black youth made their way to various local spaces including Lowertown OBAK, cafés, the Ottawa Art Gallery and the mayor’s office, Omer decided to expand his project to highlight youth in three community housing neighborhoods across the city. (Faisa Omer/CBC)
“One of the main sentiments that I felt from the community was how these stories were important. These photos had the power to change minds and attitudes towards Black people,” she said, adding she couldn’t keep up with the outpouring of messages from support.
For her, it seemed natural to keep going.
After garnering a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, she decided to take the idea to three more neighborhoods — Lowertown, Michele Heights and Overbrook, basing her operations in each area’s community house, hoping that would help young people feel comfortable and safe to share.
On camera, participants opened up on everything from what it’s like to have your photo taken, to how to respond when you’re repeatedly asked, “Where are you from?”
Shaunette Simon opted to share a message for the next generation.
“My hope is that my grandkids will be able to come into this world and be able to be kids … and not fear that they’re going to be judged and things are going to be denied to them because of the color of their skin , something that they can’t change.”
Omer says she was surprised and saddened by the difficult stories she heard, including one woman’s experience of suffering a brutal beating at 16 during her first year in Canada, which resulted in her losing a year of school, and what it felt like to learn later on that the case had been dropped.
Osman also said he was surprised by the depth of pain their subjects shared.
“They were telling personal stories about their first encounter with the police,” he said. “They got pretty deep in terms of their responses to what it means to be Black.”
He said he expected the 12-year-olds to care more about what they had for lunch or the activities at the Boys and Girls Club, but they all had their own experiences to add.
“They’re not as sheltered as we thought they were,” Osman said.
Omer, left, asked family friend and videographer Hersi Osman to help document her photography project. The pair know each other because their dads were roommates in the 1980s when they both moved to Ottawa before the rest of the family immigrated. (Submitted by Faisa Omer and Hersi Osman)
Timings in Lowertown
There were particularly difficult moments in Lowertown, where the scheduled photography session happened shortly after a shooting in front of the community house where an 18-year-old was killed.
Omer says it became an opportunity for people in that neighborhood to talk and share what feels like.
“I was thinking, this is when the community wants their voice to be heard,” she said. “Let me see what this neighborhood wants the rest of Ottawa to know about them right now.”
As a psychotherapist, Omer says the sessions were not just about the photos, but also helping the youth process a traumatic event and validating their feelings about it.
“You have to stop and give them that respect .. that eye contact while they’re speaking, ‘I can’t believe that happened, I’m sorry,'” she explained, adding that hearing those stories was hard on her, too, but talking it over with her siblings always helps.
Omer picked up a camera as a teenager living in Ottawa community housing. (Faisa Omer)
Still, Omer says he came away from the project seeing the pride the youth had in their neighbors and communities — a sentiment echoed by Osman.
“There’s a lot of bad press when it comes to certain neighborhoods in the city and people don’t see the positive side of it,” he said. “This was something that was going to shed light on neighborhoods that don’t really get the limelight they deserve.”
New home, new job
Since wrapping up this project, Omer has started a new chapter of her life. In January, she began a new job as a counselor at Carleton University.
Her family also moved to a newly built home in Findlay Creek this May, with enough room for their parents and all seven siblings, six of whom are over 20 — a bittersweet change for Omer.
“I feel like if you live somewhere for more than two decades, it definitely becomes part of your identity,” she said.
“I’m proud to be from Ritchie, and all the other neighborhoods that I grew up in, because it made me who I am today.”
All in a Day11:55Through Faisa’s lens
Why photographer Faisa Omer, who grew up in community housing, is taking pictures and amplifying the voices of Black youth in community housing across Ottawa.
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Known for melding poetic introspection in soul-stirring melodies, US-based singer-songwriter Ben Freeman weaves intimate adventure into his music. First releasing his EP Providence in 2015, Freeman’s journey began quite a few years ago; however, it was only several years later that he “…arrived in a place of wanting to make music in a sustained way…the first summer of the pandemic became the context where a lot of other things that had previously seemed important fell away and I was able to get real with myself that this is what I wanted to do” (quote taken from our interview with Ben Freeman). The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Long Distance’.
Following his well-received album Quiet Fury, ‘Long Distance’ is Freeman’s first release in 2023. A collaborative project with long-time friend, collaborator and fellow artist Nora Rothman, ‘Long Distance’ oozes old-school soul with a passionate slick of alternative pop. The multi-layered vocals showcase not only Rothman’s inspiring voice but also Freeman’s wide vocal range. Bold and starting with a hint of soulful sensuality, ‘Long Distance’ is one of those tracks you could play alongside Sade. Yet, while there is a nostalgic flair to the melody, it has a contemporary feel making it perfect for a Bruno Mars meets Shawn Mendes playlist.
Produced with Jackson Hoffman at Hoffman’s studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, ‘Long Distance’ is the first track off Freeman’s upcoming EP. Groovy and laid back, the single has an elegant charm in its sophisticated arrangement. Yet, it appears to look at the core of human feeling in an intimate, slightly vulnerable way. Freeman explains that “this is a song about feeling close and far from someone at the same time. It’s nostalgia, ambivalence and desire in sonic form…”
For more from Ben Freeman, check out his Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Photography has long been celebrated as a medium that captures moments, freezes time, and conveys stories. It’s an art form that requires careful consideration, often a great deal of research, and – sometimes – months of planning.
Canon recently launched a series called Beyond the Kitbagwhere Cecilie Harris, head of creative services at Canon EMEA spoke to 20 Canon ambassadors to find out how what motivated them to pick up their cameras and continue exploring their passion.
Recent scientific studies emphasize the significance of storytelling and emotion in photography and how psychological events such as entering a “flow state” can be a contributing factor to a successful career.
In this study, Cecilie Harris enlisted the help of Dr Richard Stephens, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Keele in the UK who analyzed 20 interviews in an attempt to work out if there is something that unifies freelance photographers.
What Stephens calls a “flow state” comes from a recurring theme through his research interviews. Participants described feeling completely in the moment, as if on autopilot where creating felt calm and peaceful, and their mind was free of stress and anxiety. But that’s only a small factor in what keeps these professional photographers going.
Stephens was able to break down the photographic process into four psychological states, all of which contributed to a feeling of satisfaction and complete immersion in the task. They are the flow state, creativity, the eureka moment, storytelling, and emotion. Although flow state might not be possible at all times, it’s this feeling that often drives photographers to create their best work.
flow state
If you’ve ever experienced a feeling of pure contentment in your photographic practice, you’ll know how rewarding it is. That feeling of pure bliss and unadultated focus is what we all strive for; your mind doesn’t wander and you’re not left with any feelings of self-doubt. With imposter syndrome not knocking at the door, you tend to feel free of stress and anxiety ie you have entered a flow state. According to Dr Stephens, a flow state can be defined as an experience that is “intrinsically rewarding, leading to a great sense of achievement”.
Several Canon Ambassadors mentioned times when they had experienced this without knowing what to call it. Lucia Griggi describes how she can “look at the camera and nothing else matters,” Julie Pike explained how when she holds the camera, things happen automatically, while Emmanuel Oyeleke uses his camera as a tool to “overcome and mask my shyness.” He says it gives him a sense of boldness when it’s in his hand.
To be completely lost in the moment, unaware of your senses and surroundings, and not constricted by any doubts in your abilities, the result is a dreamy, flow state that is the epitome of creative success. You’ll feel like the time has been well spent and the positive effects will often carry into other parts of your day and life.
The science of creativity
Photographers constantly strive for creativity, seeking to capture images that are authentic and engaging. The science of creativity defines it as the ability to generate ideas that are both novel and satisfying, but the pursuit of creativity can be challenging, especially when there are no clear goals at the beginning of a creative process.
Stephen Kotler, an American author, suggests science-based strategies to enhance creativity such as cultivating a good mood since it promotes a willingness to take risks and embrace unconventional ideas.
There are several ways to coax creativity, you just have to find which suits you best. Canon ambassador Julie Pike tries to create a relaxing atmosphere on a shoot so, when she worked with the Norwegian singer Aurora and her sisters, she supplied Norwegian Bolle (sweet buns) and beer as a way of connecting with them and breaking the ice.
You could also listen to your favorite music, set guidelines such as not shooting on sunny days, using a tactic Martin Booth or even passing the creativity baton to your subject allowing them to be as actively involved as Helen Bartlett does when shooting with children. By embracing these approaches, photographers can unlock their creative potential and continue to produce captivating work.
Eureka Moment
Eureka moments are sudden, euphoric breakthroughs that leave you and give you an instant, overwhelming feeling of victory. They often arise after a period of frustration or a creative block which is something most creatives will have to battle with at one point or another.
For photographers, these moments are not uncommon, considering the inherent difficulty of the creative process, which can lack a clear strategy from the start. These insightful breakthroughs where the solution finally emerges hold long-term motivational effects for photographers who can look back on these moments for reassurance.
Several photographers shared their experiences of eureka moments during their creative processes. Helen Bartlett described it as a moment when you have a vision but it hasn’t materialized yet while Audun Rikardsen knows immediately when a personal image would have a lasting impact on him. Lucia Griggi, one of the few female surf photographers recalls a perfect wave breaking suddenly, leaving her in awe and Julie Pike recalled a moment when the perfect frame appeared before her eyes. These eureka moments serve as powerful reminders of the magic that happens when creativity aligns with intuition and inspiration.
Storytelling and Emotion
Narratives are essential for human cognition and communication, encompassing elements such as sequential plots, dramatic moments, archetypal characters, and moral lessons. Photographers adeptly capture the tension between exposition and impending action which evoke emotions and grab the viewers’ attention. Emotional connections between photographers and subjects drive powerful images but purpose-driven storytelling required photographers to break boundaries, depict reality and often raise awareness around a topical or sensitive issue.
Finbarr O’Reilly is a war photographer, but rather than capturing the cliché photos you often see of war, he tries to capture the affected people trying to maintain some normality in their everyday lives through his powerful image. Similarly, Wanda Martin strives to break down gender boundaries and depict the model’s personalities and the backstory of fashion through her editorial portraits.
Photography is after all storytelling through images but more often than not it isn’t quite as simple as clicking the shutter and taking a nice photo. The most engaging images that elicit emotion from the viewer require careful planning, a lot of thought and a deep connection to the subject being photographed whether it be a person, a landscape, or even a memory. By combining the four psychological states, photographers are able to push themselves further and delve deeper into the heart of who they are as creatives and what type of work they want to present.
These are the best Canon cameras to suit beginners and professionals
We present to you the latest Album Titled “4GOD II” from Rob49 Ft. Roddy Ricch, G Herbo, Trippie Redd & NoCap, Rob49 release a new album download that hits the internet today and we are delighted to inform you of the latest fresh out of the Conner. This zip album covers multiples songs and that’s what the fans have been waiting for. A top request from fans this period,
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Despite being only 19 years old, a freshman in college, singer-songwriter Sean Kennedy has the sophistication, maturity and elegance to stand up among his contemporaries. We spoke with Kennedy about his new album Forever Usbeing a musician in the 21st century, and much more.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Kennedy: Music is my way of expressing myself. Each of my records is like a time capsule that preserves the emotions and stories of myself from that time.
OSR: What inspired you to become a musician?
Kennedy: I started writing songs when I was 9 years old, and I immediately fell in love with it. I did it every day and eventually, I learned how to record. I started putting out music because I wanted to share what I had been making with the world, and I haven’t stopped since.
OSR: What can you tell us about your album Forever Us? Is there a backstory or theme to it?
Kennedy:Forever Us is a very special album for me. It’s about my first relationship, and the emotions surrounding it as I was getting ready to leave school. It’s a record that revolves around love and loss, but at its center, it’s an album about feeling lucky enough to experience love. It’s very different both sonically and thematically from my previous work.
OSR: What was the most exciting and least exciting thing about creating Forever Us?
Kennedy: Making this record was beyond exciting. Working with Francesco Massidda, a producer from Italy, was so creatively fulfilling. My last three records were made primarily on my own, so working with different collaborators, especially my friends, this time around was such a nice change. I don’t think there was anything not exciting about this album’s process.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your music?
Kennedy: I hope people find themselves within my music. I want people to be able to take my songs and set them for their own lives.
OSR: If you could change one thing about Forever Us, what would it be?
Kennedy: I took some time off between my last album and this one to really hone in on my craft and conceptualize a clear idea of what I wanted the next record to sound like. This album is exactly what I set out for it to be, so I don’t think I’d change anything about it
OSR: Of all the songs you have ever released, which is your absolute favorite and why is that one?
Kennedy: My absolute favorite song tends to change a lot. I don’t listen to my music much after it’s been released, so I think my favorite always tends to be whatever I’m currently working on. The song ‘Golden’ on this record is one of my current favourites, though.
OSR: What bad decision did you make that turned out to be a good decision?
Kennedy: I think some people in my life were very pessimistic when I made plans to release my debut single. I had just turned 15, I didn’t know what mixing or mastering was, and I was doing it all on my own. Some people told me I should wait, but I think releasing that song was the best decision I’ve ever made. It introduced me to the music industry and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.
OSR: What do you think are the challenges and advantages of being a musician in this digital era?
Kennedy: I think the digital age made it possible for artists like myself to get out there without signing to a label first. Just a few years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to just decide to start releasing music. I think the downside to this is that the market is more oversaturated than ever, so it can be hard to stand out.
OSR: Do you have future plans as an artist?
Kennedy: I’m not sure what the future holds for me after this album. For so long I felt the need to always have a plan and I like that recently I’ve been letting the music come to me instead. I’ve been in talks with some very cool people within the industry, so I’m very excited to see what the future holds.
OSR: What message do you have for our readers?
Kennedy: I would tell the readers to remember to find the purpose in everything they do. Don’t go through the motions, find meaning.
Many thanks to Sean Kennedy for speaking with us. For more from Sean Kennedy, check out his official website, Facebook, TwitterInstagram and Spotify.
We present to you the latest Album Titled “Pistolz & Pearlz” from Kodak Black Ft. VVSNCE, Loe Shimmy, GorditoFlo, EST Gee, Lil Crix, Syko Bob, Wam SpinThaBin & WizDaWizard, Kodak Black release a new album download that hits the internet today and we are delighted to inform you of the latest fresh out of the Conner. This zip album covers multiples songs and that’s what the fans have been waiting for. A top request from fans this period,
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Even though teenage bands are not something new, I continue to be amazed at the amazing talent coming from adolescents these days. One of the more intriguing teenage bands to hit my virtual desk is Culture Shock!. Originally formed about four years ago by Ben Archer (bass and vocals) and Ethan Reinek (drums), Culture Shock! began as some jamming between old friends. In 2020, the lads met Travis Rains (guitar and mouth noises) and they haven’t looked back since. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Empire’.
Inspired by the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, TOOL and Muse, one can imagine the US-based trio to have a hard-hitting rock sound – and this is just what we get from them. Following their debut single ‘Flashflood’, ‘Empire’ has a nostalgic breath fluttering through the melody with inclinations to Nirvana and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Yet, we also hear tinges of TOOL and System of a Down flickering in the hard-hitting tune.
Leaning toward the sounds of the 90s, I feel very comfortable listening to Culture Shock! and remember rocking about to CDs in my bedroom. I can feel the blare of scorching music blasting from my speakers – then I need to remind myself that this is not Nirvana or Green Day. While the eclectic arrangement elegantly staggers pounding drums, powerful guitars and gruff vocals, there is an eccentric whole where all aspects harmonically come together.
Recorded at Cape Coral, Florida’s The Star Sound Studio, Culture Shock! worked with an engineer to create something raw and brutal, but also soothing and soul-stirring. It is this raw oozing edginess from the gruff instrumentation that makes ‘Empire’ palpably gritty. In other words, the kids seem really naïve, but this immaturity masks an overwhelming sophistication. This is only their sophomore single, so I cannot wait to hear what else Culture Shock! has in store.
For more information about Culture Shock!, check out their official website, Facebook, TwitterInstagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
