WTF with Marc Maron: Episode 1641 – Samantha Crane

Introduction

In Episode 1641 of "WTF with Marc Maron," released on May 8, 2025, Marc Maron engages in a deep and intimate conversation with Samantha Crane, a talented singer-songwriter from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The episode, recorded in a historic building in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, delves into Samantha's musical journey, cultural heritage, personal struggles, and her contributions to film scoring.

Samantha Crane's Background

Samantha Crane opens up about her roots and upbringing, painting a vivid picture of her life in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Growing up in a family deeply entrenched in powerlifting, Samantha discusses how her father's passion for the sport influenced her early years.

Samantha Crane [37:03]: "I was, but just purely, like, genetically low center of gravity, like."

Her family's dedication to powerlifting led them to travel extensively, setting up operations at various competitions. This nomadic lifestyle fostered a sense of resilience and adaptability in Samantha, traits that would later influence her musical career.

Musical Journey

Samantha recounts her transition from powerlifting to music, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped her as an artist. She began by performing open mics in local coffee shops, honing her skills by covering artists like Bob Dylan and Radiohead.

Samantha Crane [44:53]: "Yeah, we were, like, playing Radiohead covers or like Bob Dylan covers or something."

Her formal foray into music production began when she attended a musician's colony on Martha's Vineyard, where she learned to record using Pro Tools. This experience was instrumental in developing her confidence and technical abilities.

Cultural Heritage and Language

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Samantha's Choctaw heritage and her efforts to preserve and promote her native language through music. She emphasizes the importance of incorporating indigenous languages into contemporary music to keep cultural traditions alive.

Samantha Crane [30:36]: "I ever hear someone like, Jason Molina singing in that way, I can just imagine that he's, like, all alone."

Samantha discusses the challenges of writing songs in Choctaw, noting that the language's structure—being heavily verb-oriented without words like "is" or "are"—allows for a more observational and fluid form of expression.

Samantha Crane [31:28]: "So everything is about, like, movement and change and doing."

Her dedication to learning and using the Choctaw language in her songwriting serves as both an artistic and cultural act of resistance against the erasure of indigenous identities.

Personal Challenges

The conversation takes a poignant turn as Samantha shares her personal struggles, including a severe car accident that left her with significant physical injuries. This traumatic event deeply affected her ability to perform and compose music, leading to a period of depression.

Samantha Crane [70:27]: "And I got really depressed because I couldn't do. I couldn't play guitar."

During her recovery, Samantha found solace in using a voice recorder to hum melodies, which eventually led to the creation of her album "A Small Death." This period of introspection and healing was crucial in redefining her relationship with music and herself.

Scoring for Film

Samantha discusses her venture into film scoring, specifically her work on the Lily Gladstone film "Fancy Dance." She explains how her familiarity with the indigenous community and her understanding of the visual and emotional aspects of storytelling enabled her to create an authentic and organic score.

Samantha Crane [88:43]: "And we just had like a conversation. I think she had mentioned wanting to feel very, like, organic."

Her approach to scoring emphasizes minimalism and intimacy, utilizing instruments that are easily portable to complement the film's setting and narrative.

Artistic Philosophy and Collaboration

A recurring theme in the episode is Samantha's belief in the power of vulnerability and collaboration in art. She articulates how her personal experiences with codependency and loss have informed her approach to music, fostering a desire to push boundaries and connect deeply with her audience.

Samantha Crane [64:59]: "I really don't feel like I'm fully getting into like finishing a record and being like, that was what I wanted to make until I started like, producing my own records."

Marc Maron and Samantha explore the balance between maintaining artistic integrity and navigating the commercial aspects of the music industry. Samantha emphasizes the importance of trusting oneself and being open to collaborative efforts without losing one's authentic voice.

Samantha Crane [85:20]: "And it ended up kind of informing how we recorded the record too, which was just like me letting in a couple of co-producers with me and also recording the whole record like in a room together."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a heartfelt exchange between Marc and Samantha, reflecting on their shared experiences as artists striving for authenticity and connection. Samantha's journey from a powerlifting background to a respected musician and film scorer offers a compelling narrative of resilience, cultural pride, and artistic evolution.

Marc Maron [91:03]: "Well, the record's great, and I'm glad you brought me a vinyl."

Through this in-depth conversation, listeners gain a profound understanding of Samantha Crane's multifaceted life and artistry, highlighting the intricate interplay between personal history, cultural identity, and creative expression.

Notable Quotes

• Marc Maron [71:12]: "What you do learn is like, you've taken a lot of shit and so you can kind of get a boundary."

• Samantha Crane [33:23]: "You can't be locked into like. Because your perception of me is not me."

• Samantha Crane [19:56]: "I'm kind of just now channeling anything about him. He was a true. Just a true poet. A true honest, open, raw nerve."

Key Takeaways

• Cultural Preservation: Samantha emphasizes the role of music in preserving and revitalizing indigenous languages and traditions.

• Resilience Through Art: Personal adversities, such as her car accident, have been transformative in shaping her musical path and artistic philosophy.

• Authentic Collaboration: Trust and vulnerability are central to meaningful artistic collaborations, allowing for deeper connections and creative growth.

• Balancing Integrity and Commercialism: Navigating the music industry requires maintaining authenticity while being open to collaborative and commercial opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Episode 1641 of "WTF with Marc Maron" offers a rich and engaging exploration of Samantha Crane's life and artistry. Through candid dialogue and insightful reflections, Marc and Samantha provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the intersections between personal history, cultural identity, and creative expression. This episode stands as a testament to the power of authentic conversation in uncovering the layers that define an artist's journey.