INTERVIEW:
of the wonderful Sarah Close. The British artist is currently based out in Los Angeles. I have been speaking with her about her musical path and how her career has progressed since her start. She discusses her stunning new single, Justify. The song is the inaugural release in Close's ambitious double E.P. campaign for this year. Building on the narrative established in her previous singles, Forgive or Forget and Liars Like You, this empowering, unforgettable and gorgeous Pop anthem explores and examines themes of heartbreak and self-liberation. Her lyrics poignantly explore the realisation that certain individuals may never change, prompting a transformative journey towards self-empowerment and liberation from toxic relationships, while tapping into a bad bitch energy; that you’re finally done with empty promises; that next time will be different. Close herself produced the track. It is an exciting and happy time for this artist that everyone should know and listen to. A unique and awesome talent who I predict a long and golden future for, Close discusses upcoming gigs and how much input she had into the video for Justify. She also reveals what is coming next. Such an incredible talent, it is amazing hearing Justify. A talent who is going from strength to strength. If you have not heard Sarah Close’s beautiful and memorable music, then make sure that you…
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Hi Sarah. How are you? How has your week been?
I am doing really well! It’s 8 a.m. in L.A. right now and I’m almost at the end of a long 2-month trip. I’ve been writing music out here with a lot of new collaborators, and yesterday I wrote a song that I am OBSESSED with. I’m listening on repeat! It’s always such an exciting feeling when you get a song like that. In about 2 hours, my friend Raelee is going to pick me up and we are driving to Malibu (my first time going there) for a beach day because it’s 30C today!!! So all in all, it’s been a great week.
I have been a fan of yours for years. How do you feel your music has evolved since the start? Looking back to your earliest release, how do you feel about how far you have come?
Oh myyy!! I mean my music has shifted and changed so so much. When I released the Caught Up E.P. back in 2017, I was a super-young kid who loved (and still loves!) pop music and dreamt only of being a pop star. I still love those songs, but when I listen now, I can hear that girl who was still figuring herself out. After that release, I had a lot of people in the music industry giving me their opinion on what kind of music I should make, and I didn’t realise at the time, but that really influenced me. I wish I had had the guts to stand up to them, but I was a young girl, a people pleaser, and I thought they knew more than me.
The pandemic really gave me a chance to slow down, and I credit that time with truly helping me find myself as an artist and songwriter, away from anyone else’s opinions! I had a lot of emotions to process during that time, and I think my songwriting matured and became more vulnerable. I had more complex things to say and write about.
I really embrace that I’m an artist who has gone through a few different iterations of myself to get to where I am now. I used to feel a little bit bad that I didn’t come straight out the gate with a sound that I consistently stuck to, and then I realised that way of thinking only hurt myself!
I’ve always been someone who loves going to the studio and playing around with different sounds and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. I love where I’m at right now, and this feel like a very authentic space for me, but hey… I don’t wanna say too much, but I know I have a few songs in the pipeline that are going to really surprise people…
Looking at a recent video from your social media/YouTube, I know you have been spending a lot of time in the U.S. and discussing your life and figuring things out. How important was it to share that video, and how did the positive and supportive fan feedback make you feel?
It was really important. I am definitely in a confusing stage of my life; trying to figure out where I want to live and what I want my life to look like. But I feel like everyone goes through this, and I just wanted to be honest and share what’s going on. As confusing as it is, it’s also really exciting to not know what’s coming next, and my parents constantly encourage me to embrace uncertainty in my life! When I posted that video, I lovedddd reading the comments. There were a lot of people who are going through or who had gone through exactly the same thing, and I just think it’s so helpful to know that you’re not alone in any feeling really.
Talk to me about your new single, Justify. How did that come together in terms of the lyrics and the initial seeds?
Justify is a moment where you really get to celebrate yourself and the love you have for you!!! A few years ago now, I went through a breakup that taught me so much (also made me write a lot of sad songs), but my biggest lesson was that I don’t have to have anyone in my life who makes me feel small, unlovable and bad about myself. I really wanted a song on this record that captured the moment you realise you don’t have to stay and try to justify your behaviour anymore. That you can leave. That moment feels so powerful to me, and it was the first step towards ending a toxic relationship cycle that hurt me so much. So I knew this song was going to be important, even from the initial feeling.
I already had the chords and most of the chorus written when I had a session with Adam Argyle (who I write so much of my music with). He came over one day and helped me finish it. It was a really quick and easy song to write once we perfected the chorus. I think we both really understood what the song was about from our own personal experiences.
“It’s the first time I’ve produced a song by myself that is this big of a production, and I am so proud of it”
I am a big fan of music videos. Did you have a lot of input into the video for Justify? What was it like shooting it?
Huge input! As an indie artist, I really have to get creative when it comes to making visuals, as I don’t have huge budgets to work with. It was a simple shoot just involving me and a friend and my laptop camera. I got him to ask me questions about the song and about the inspiration behind it, and I love the idea that you get to watch me have a conversation about the song, and how the different emotions play out on my face during it.
You produced Justify. How important is for you to produce, and is it something you enjoy? I don’t think artists who produce their own material get enough attention and credit
I did produce it! It’s the first time I’ve produced a song by myself that is this big of a production, and I am so proud of it. I moved back to the island last summer because I wanted to finish the rest of the new music off alone, and being there really gave me a chance to focus. Producing Justify was hard. I knew I wanted it to be upbeat, but everything I was doing didn’t feel right. Then one day (and I kid you not, this is the truth) I had a dream about what it should sound like. I woke up at about 5.30 a.m. and headed straight downstairs to my set up to start making it. Once I had the initial idea down, it was all about fine tuning and from there I really enjoyed it! It’s super special to me as well, because my little brother is playing bass on it. I love that we got to collaborate in that way, and he’s playing bass on a lot of the new songs to come!
Producing my own music has been the biggest thing that’s helped me discover who I want to be in my music. I think an artist having input into the production is so key to creating music that feels really true to them. I don’t think an artist necessarily needs to produce everything, but I think it’s great to be able to sketch out small ideas for another producer to build upon.
You have a lot of new music and two E.P.s planned for this year. What has it been like putting it all together? What is it about 2024 that compelled you to step things up and launch this new phase?
It’s been SO GREAT AND SO EXCITING. I love the world that we have created with this music, and I can’t wait for people to see the visuals and to really be immersed in the sonic world. I feel like my whole career has been building up to this year, and I feel resolute in who I am and the music I want to give to the world. Last year, I took time to really finish everything off, so that in 2024 I could just hit the ‘go’ button and not stop.
I know there are a lot of people who would like to see you perform live. Do you have any U.K. or U.S. dates coming up?
I do! This summer I’m going to be doing a couple of support shows in the U.K. and some of my own headline shows will come later in the year. I am DYING to play some shows overseas in the U.S., and I’m hoping to get some funding this year to help make that happen!
“I’m the happiest I have been in years, which is so so nice to say”
After Justify, when might we see more music? What would you say to the many adoring fans who are pumped for what is coming this year?
Very very soon!!!!! The release of Justify is the first song of many to come this year, and as I said above… once we hit ‘go’ we are not stopping!! I wanna tell them, get ready!!!!
Not necessarily talking about music, how are you feeling about things right now? It has been a very busy and changeable time for you recently. Are you excited about the future? How important is music and putting it out into the world?
I’m the happiest I have been in years, which is so so nice to say. I feel like in 2023 I got to wave goodbye to an era of my life and shut the door on a time that involved a lot of heartache and sadness. With that goodbye, I’m aware that I’ve welcoming in the next phase of my life. There’s a lot of ‘newness’ happening for me right now: new relationships, new music, new friends, new places and cities I’m exploring. I feel excited for it all. I can’t wait to get this next body of music out, and for what I have planned after that, and to eventually put out the songs I am creating every day on this L.A. trip. I just know there are good times ahead.
Finally, and for being a good sport, you can choose any song (other than your own) and we’ll end with it. What do you want to go with?
She’s On My Mind by Romy. Oh my god. I love this song; it’s so joyous. I dance to it in my kitchen every day. It never fails to make me feel good. It feels nostalgic and modern all in one.
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