Today I’m launching a brand new series on the blog featuring my favorite music artists, and I’m thrilled to share the talent of Sarah St. Albin, a singer, pianist and songwriter based out of Seattle, WA. Her moody, slightly dark and honest lyrics resemble a fusion of Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Sarah McLaughlin and Aimee Mann. When you want a pull for emotion, her tracks hit the spot.
Sarah just released her brand new EP, Small Voice, available for download and streaming on Spotify, iTunes, Pandora, Amazon, Napster, CDBaby, and Bandcamp!
I am a strong proponent of following your passion and that is exactly what Sarah did. In my recent interview with her she shared her journey as a musician, the importance of being business savvy as a creative…and at the end, a really good quote.
1. What inspires you most about the PNW (as it pertains to your music)?
The Olympic Peninsula has always been really inspiring to me as a creative person. We used to visit the coast every few years while I was growing up. As a teenager, when I was starting out as a songwriter, my mom and I would stay in these little cabins by the sea. I’d bring my keyboard sometimes, though I was still learning how to play the piano so I couldn’t do much at that point. Those quiet weekends were always so healing, though. We’d read and drink tea and I’d write really depressing lyrics after doing yoga in the rainforest. I still have the notebook I kept specifically for those trips!
2. Where is/was your favorite place to perform?
My favorite place to perform (so far) is Barboza on Capitol Hill! I just love Capitol Hill in general.
3. Do you have advice for other musicians wanting to pursue a career…or creatives overall?
Learn as much as possible about the music industry–and keep learning, because you’re an entrepreneur as well as a musician. I still see a lot of newer independent artists neglecting the business side of what they do, probably because it’s both extremely overwhelming and not as fun as writing, recording, and performing. I have definitely been there, too. However, if you aren’t willing to do the unglamorous work (like booking your own shows, building your email list, designing a social media campaign, doing market research, etc.), then music will probably remain a hobby for you.
4. You mentioned you tend to write about tragedy…why do you think this is?
I think I tend to write about tragedy because music helps me cope when bad things happen. Music is my emotional bodyguard: it helps me work through difficult realities. I can say things I wouldn’t ordinarily have the courage to say. That’s what Small Voice is all about: finding your voice when speaking is terrifying and even dangerous. I want my songs (or at least my most serious songs!) to offer that space to others; space to come to terms with what’s really happening in a given conflict or situation.
5. How do you spend your free time (when you’re not writing or playing music)?
I love reading, trying out new restaurants and coffeehouses in Seattle, walking around Discovery Park, and date nights with my husband. I also watch way too much TV in my free time. I love comedy, especially awkward/uncomfortable comedy. My best friend and I trade quotes from The Office (the American version) all the time. My favorite thing to do outside of music is laugh really hard!
6. One of my mottos is ‘you never know until you try.’ What is your motto?
“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” I think John D. Rockefeller said that. Entrepreneurship demands so much from you. I think you have to learn to love that part of it, or at least to respect it. I know I would go insane and probably give up otherwise!
Personally, I can barely carry a tune, but I can relate to Sarah in so many ways and that’s why I chose to share her music and story with you. If you have a creative pull, regardless if it’s music, photography, writing, etc., put your heart and soul into it and educate yourself. The sky’s the limit, my friends.
If you’d like to see Sarah live, she’ll be touring the west coast this summer! You can find her event schedule HERE or follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Without further ado, here’s Sarah St. Albin, Small Voice…
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XoXo Portia
*Photos provided by Sarah St. Albin
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. The opinions expressed here represent my own, which I take great pride in providing pure honesty…because I’m OBSESSED with sharing the Good!