Nashville-based singer and songwriter Sam Varga reveals his new single, “Queen of the Ashes,” a brooding, guitar-driven anthem that tells the story of a woman who burns down her entire world in an attempt to get revenge on those who hurt her.
Fueled by Varga’s signature emotional intensity, “Queen of the Ashes” channels the chaos and allure of self-destruction into something strikingly cathartic, and you can feel the raw vulnerability and urgency that set his music apart.
“I had the title for a while and knew exactly who I wanted to write it with,” Varga shares. “Caroline [Romano] is an outstanding artist, and Spencer [Jordan] has been my best friend since I got to town—he’s the special sauce on so much great music coming out of Nashville and LA.” You learn that the trio wrote the song in a single night at Varga’s apartment before bringing it to producer Dan Swank (All Time Low, Knox, Taylor Acorn), who helped bring the vision to life in a quick-fire studio session.
Building on the sound he introduced with his 2024 debut album Shadow Work, Sam Varga continued to expand his vision with breakout singles like “Minute Man” and “Long Way Back.” Now, with “Queen of the Ashes,” he pushes even further, deepening his alt-country edge while preserving the qualities that made those earlier songs resonate with you.
Sam Varga is a Nashville-based artist blending his emo roots with Southern grit and singer-songwriter soul, and you can trace his origins to Louisville, Kentucky, where he came up in the city’s DIY emo scene, cutting his teeth on loud guitars, basement shows, and late-night chaos. At home, his parents filled the house with ’80s rock, Southern staples, and classic lyricists, giving him a rich musical foundation that informs the gritty yet melodic sound you hear now.
Addictive, sharp, and self-aware, Varga’s music is emotionally unfiltered, self-deprecating, and unflinchingly human. Whether he’s unpacking existential dread or offering hard-won hope, his songs are made for long drives, post-party spirals, and those fleeting moments when you just need everything to make sense for a few minutes, and “Queen of the Ashes” fits squarely into that world.
Listen to “Queen of the Ashes” on all streaming platforms: https://onerpm.link/940152436222