The Act: SASHA ASSAD

The Release: 'IMAGINE MARY'

The Format: DIGISINGLE

The Release Date: MAY 29TH 2024

The Digital Link: orcd.co/imagine_mary

The Truth: Sasha Assad is still very much a half-Egyptian, half Nottinghamshire alternative artist blending indie-rock influences with emotive lyrics and ear-worm hooks. 'Imagine Mary' is her brand new single and the first taste of her second EP, entitled 'Casablanker' and out on August 16th.

She's a swift mover is Sasha: her debut 'Tearstick' EP only appeared in March, stuffed to the thrills with previous radio hits 'Still' and 'Bad Nature'. 'Imagine Mary' continues the leftfield theme with a raggedly intellectual romantic angle which is curiously and indeed fragrantly reminiscent of Stiff Records circa '79. It was recorded with Greg Wizard at Brixton Jamm, and continues a Sasha creative theme, as she explains...

"Ever fallen in love with someone who doesn’t exist? Neither have I, but with ‘Imagine Mary’ you’ll think you did! Yes I’ve written another love song - and it’s getting pretty scary. I had a lot of fun writing and producing this song, possibly the most fun I’ve ever had with a track. It was all pretty fast, recording and a pretty decent mix done on the first day After a few of tweaks the song was done and I actually think this is my proudest bit of work to date. So if you like it, blast it! Everywhere! Alternatively - there isn’t an alternatively ;)"

The panda crew encountered Sasha and her band supporting The Manatees at the Sebright Arms last spring and were smitten like lovelorn mittens by a sound which brilliantly mixed modern multi-cultural indiepop norms with old school collegiate rock va va voomings. It's not every evening we get to compare any new act with The Pretenders, The Breeders and Elastica, but it's not every gig where you get to see something as enthralling and enervating as Sasha Assad.

The Sasha Assad journey thus far has been suitably stealthy: some hometown blossomings, tying Notts in knots; some Steve Lamacq spins, BBC Introducing live love, Radio X support, a Truck Festival ruck, lotsa feeling from This Feeling, consistently funtimes at The Dublin Castle and The Lexington and a few gentle frenzies at The Hawley Arms. Next up, the 'Imagine Mary' single is launched with gigs which look very much like this:

JUNE 14TH LONDON TOWER BRIDGE THE SCOOP
London Bridge City Summer Festival fierce panda 30th anniversary show

JUNE 23RD ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL
This Feeling Stage

"Love this! Love this! Love this! Sasha Atlanta Assad's music is a beautiful dreamy voice perfectly surfing on top of a rough-edged aggressive structure of instrumentals! Simplicity balancing on top of monstrous complexity..." - Inpop