Project Description

Interview

with

SAGE

Interviewer – Dave Bruce

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you start writing music?
I think it was always destined to happen. My Dad is a songwriter, so I took after him and remembered writing my first song when I was 4 years old. It was always a fun thing to do. Then I started formal music lessons at 6 and haven’t really diverted from that path since. When I was younger there was a time that I also wanted to be a marine biologist and work with sharks (my absolute favourite animal), but then I realised in high school how bad I was at science.  

Which music did you grow up listening to? How has it influenced your current style?
In my house you would have heard the likes of Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Phil Collins, 90’s radio on 101.1FM, Backstreet Boys, and the Spice Girls. I’d honestly love it if someone could do a musical analysis of us all and find a link between me and any of those artists! I’d say the pop and storytelling aspects of that musicians carried through the most. I like my music to have a lot of lyrical and melodic content, and definitely follow that typical pop verse-chorus structure a lot. 

How would you describe your sound?
Lush, indulgent, ethereal, & delicate. It’s lush because of the strings and soundscape textures I use. It’s indulgent because I go crazy with the cello and enjoy the sound I make. It’s ethereal because I feel comfortable singing in a lighter, higher register instead of belting out lyrics. And it’s delicate because of the way I arrange the layers over one another and leave a lot of space in a song. I’m really inspired by an artist in the US by the name of Fleurie; she has the most crystal clear voice and amazing songwriting perspective!

Why do you think people resonate with your music?
It’s hard to give one reason why my music connects with people, but I think because a lot of my songs are based on intricate stories or feelings it allows people to put themselves into the song and relate. It plays on common feelings we have at one point or another in our lives. The music itself is approachable and easily palatable, the kind of thing you could listen to in your happy quiet place. 

Your new single From Dust has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
The song came about really quickly and easily! During my last year of my classical performance degree, I’d been wanting to write more pop songs using the cello. I thought perhaps I could strum it like a guitar and layer it up in the studio. From there I started singing the words “Oh darling, where’ve you been?” and then it told itself. It was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had songwriting. I felt like I’d really pushed myself to create something beautiful when it was finished. When I took it to the studio it really came alive with all of the production we added to it! 

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 How are you feeling ahead of your EP release? Can you give us a taste of what to expect from these songs?
I’m so excited! It’s been 2 years in the making and the day is almost here. It’s been really nice to have the first single ‘From Dust’ received so positively because it’s created a bit of buzz for the rest of the album. ‘Tethered’ was inspired by different experiences that had been holding me back in life, so some of the songs are nostalgic, and some are looking forward with hope. I’d say three of the songs are more on the upbeat and light side, whereas the other two are a lot darker and cinematic. 

 If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
I would love to play alongside cellist Yo Yo Ma. When I was 18 I had major spinal fusion surgery, and I later found out that he had undergone the same procedure. I’ve always wanted to pick his brain about how he coped with that during his career. He’s also just a really positive, open minded human being and teacher that I’d love to be around. 

 What’s next for you in the near future?
On March 28th I’m playing an EP launch show at Commonfolk Coffee in Mornington, with support from Sam O’Connell. I’m so excited for this one because I’ll have a band behind me and I’ll be performing in my hometown. The EP release has been such a whirlwind, so I’ll definitely be taking a bit of down time afterwards when I can. Later on in the year I’d like to start producing some songs I wrote in January while I was away at a songwriting residency in Canada. 

What are your longer-term aspirations?
I’d love to move overseas with my soon to be husband and just see what musical nonsense we can both get up to together! While I’m in Australia though, for whatever length of time, I’ll just keep making opportunities for myself as a solo artist and writing music. Touring is definitely on the bucket list!

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –

FAVOURITE:
Album – Life Will Write The Words by The Rocket Summer 
Artist – Ellie Goulding
Movie – 500 Days of Summer
Place to visit – Italy
Venue to play – Anything out of the ordinary; book stores, flower shops, abandoned industrial buildings etc. 
Food – Gelato
Drink – Hot chocolate with marshmallows
Person in History –  Bach
Tattoo – I don’t even wear nail polish! If I had to get one it would be a pressed flower.

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SAGE’S New EP ‘TETHERED‘ is Out Today!

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Ethereal cellist and singer-songwriter Sage has today announced her debut single From Dust, a gorgeous, introspective meander made especially for soulmates, out February 3. Accompanying this stunning track is a beautiful, nostalgic video, shot in collaboration with director Hugo Rose (Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird). From Dust is the first taste of Sage’s upcoming EP Tethered, a collection of gentle yet striking songs for cleansing the soul, set for release on February 27.

For fans of Laura Marling and classic folk auteur Joni Mitchell, From Dust is a soft bed to fall into after a long hard day. Enchanting and delicate, this song allows space for Sage’s elegant vocal to feature front and centre, while her adroit cello playing provides a warm glow that eminates throughout. Speaking on the inspiration behind From Dust, Sage says, “This song is about soulmates, innocence, memories, and endless love. It’s one of those miracle songs that was written in no time at all by myself in my run-down apartment. When I sing this song, I think about the movie Stardust. At the end of the film the two star-crossed lovers, having lived a full and beautiful life together, pass away and become stars in the sky, their love living on forever and shining over everyone. There’s longing involved, but also hope.” The film clip for From Dust is a perfect visual representation of the track – pretty, graceful, and sentimental, with a ‘70s film-camera flair.

Tethered is an exquisite collection of songs from this inimitable artist. Like a nostalgic fairytale, these songs unfurl themselves flawlessly; from the pizzicato of All My Lost Loves, to the sweet, strings-infused pop of The Loveliest Thing, Tethered is a glorious, sun-soaked triumph of arresting folk-pop. Reflecting on the concept behind the songs on Tethered, Sage explains, “This EP was a cleansing process of feelings I wanted to get out of my system through music. The concept behind Tethered was to write a collection of songs about things that can hold us back and keep us tethered to our place in life, in the hopes of understanding these experiences and learning to let go. Feeling stuck is a terrible thing so I always try to change and improve.” Fellow cellist Richard Vaudrey (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sammy J, Anna Cordell) was the producer and audio and mix engineer throughout the recording process, and was a gem in the studio, as Sage notes, “I knew I had to work with Richard because he embodies so many things I wanted to do as an independent artist. Having an engineer who is also a singer-songwriter-cellist like myself was so useful in the studio and nothing ever got lost in translation between us.”

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