Sasha Siem is a British-Norwegian composer and singer-songwriter whose work explores the alchemical power of sound.
After studying at Cambridge and Harvard—where she collaborated with leading thinkers and artists including Jorie Graham, Anne Carson, Julian Anderson, Robin Holloway, Helmut Lachenmann, Chaya Czernowin, Tristan Murail, Oliver Knussen, and Jonathan Harvey—she was commissioned to write for ensembles and institutions such as The Aldeburgh Festival, Ballet Rambert, The London Symphony Orchestra, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera North, Neue Vocalisten Stuttgart, and Le Nouvel Ensemble Moderne.
She received a British Composer Award for her setting of Psalm 140, a commission by Caius Choir marking the 800th anniversary of Cambridge University. Soon after, she recorded her first alt-pop song cycle, Most of the Boys, with Valgeir Sigurðsson at Greenhouse Studios in Reykjavík, Iceland. Written for voice and string quartet, and developed with the Mivos Quartet in New York, the album premiered at the Royal Opera House and garnered acclaim from Noisey, Q Magazine, MOJO, NME, Billboard, Fader, Wonderland, Marie Claire, and earned airplay on BBC Radio 6, XFM, Absolute Radio, and BBC Radio 3.
She has since released five more albums:
Bird Burning – an evocative song cycle for extended wind ensemble (tuba, horn, trumpet, bassoon, guitar, percussion), inspired by a pilgrimage to her native North of Norway to study the musical traditions of the Sámi people. Developed with the International Contemporary Ensemble in New York, it was described by Line of Best Fit as “a spectacular record on several levels.”
wHOLeY – born of her research into the medicinal power of music, this album was recorded at 432Hz—the so-called “Love Frequency”—and premiered as a choreographed healing experience with Batsheva Dance Company choreographer Ya’ara Dolev at Sadler’s Wells.
L.OVER – a series of post-divorce fragments for voice and viol ensemble, released via an online concert series during COVID-19.
EAR.th – a sonic love song to the planet, created in collaboration with Indigenous artists and systems scientist Dr. Anneloes Smitsman. The album integrates NASA data to weave Earth’s vibrational field into immersive soundscapes.
TRUE – an intimate exploration of the narratives we live by, composed for voice and prepared piano.
Sasha has performed at festivals and venues worldwide, including Latitude, Shambala, Party in the Park, The Forum, Kings Place, The Barbican, Oslo Spektrum, Rockefeller Music Hall, by:Larm, the Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival, and (Le) Poisson Rouge in New York City. Her music has been remixed by artists including Legroni, Matthew Herbert, Susanne Sundfør, Highasakite, and East India Youth. She has also collaborated across disciplines—with poets like Jen Bervin, rock musicians such as Mike Einziger (Incubus), and Berlin electro-artist Samson (bpitch-control).
In 2019, she was awarded the New Wave Music Award at the Fashion Media Awards in New York, alongside fellow honorees Kate Moss and Edward Enninful.
