Mandi Sagal
Photo credit: Zoe Thomas
Mandi Sagal recently released her debut single “Smoke Your Weed” and I’m very happy to support her and her first single. Country music is one of my favorite genres so it’s easy for me to enjoy a GOOD country song, and “Smoke Your Weed” is a fun and catchy country record.
It’s only her first single but I can already say that Mandi Sagal is a storyteller that writes and sings about real and honest stories. I’m excited to hear more music from her :)
“Smoke Your Weed” is now available worldwide :)
Photo credit: Zoe Thomas
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
I grew up in Green Bay, WI and moved to Nashville right out of highschool. I have been working full-time to pay the bills and doing music on the nights and weekends. I just released my first single and music video!
When did you start singing?
I came out of the womb singing! True story: right after I was born, I was crying the nurse looked at my parents and told them, "Your daughter has the lungs of a singer. She will be a singer someday". My mom was a division one athlete, so my parents thought they had an athlete in their hands. They had no idea they were about to spend their time in theaters instead of gyms.
What did you grow up listening to?
Growing up there was always music playing. It was usually country and rock. There was lots of Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, John Denver, Martina McBride, ABBA, Journey, Rascal Flatts, and Boston. I was actually named after the song “Amanda” by Boston.
When did you start writing songs? What made you want to write in the first place?
I started seriously writing when I moved to Nashville. I think songwriting is a beautiful way to tell a story and that is what drew me in about it most.
At what point did you decide to be an artist and release your original music?
I always knew this is what I wanted to do with my life, but for the first time, I finally feel like this music is an accurate representation of who I am. Finding the right producers (Caleb Gilbreath & Brad Sample) were the missing piece.
Who was the first person to ever believe in you?
My mom. My senior year of high school, I was contemplating whether or not I should get a college degree (psychology) and then move to Nashville. The only thing I was hearing in school was that you had to go to college and get a degree. My mom actually encouraged me to NOT do what everyone else was doing, to NOT get a degree for the sake of getting one, but instead to move to Nashville and to the one and only thing I have really ever wanted to do. To be an artist. She said she has known since I was a young child that this is what I was meant to do.
How would you define Mandi Sagal, the artist?
I try to write and record music and do it fearlessly, without fear of taboo subject matter, without fear of fitting in a certain sound or a certain box. I just try to just sound like Mandi. I would say that "Mandi" is honest, vulnerable, and authentic.
What are the biggest lessons you have learned since the beginning of your career?
1. Everyone is in this business for something.
2. Give yourself grace for the cringey work-tapes. They played a part in what you are creating today.
3. Everyone will have an opinion about your music. Make sure you don't lose sight of yours.
"Smoke Your Weed" is your latest single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
This was actually based on a true story! I was kind of entertaining a relationship with this guy who would text and blow up my socials. Then when we would get together, he was totally uninterested. He had a blunt sitting on his coffee table and I had the thought of “I drove all the way over here and if you aren’t even going to pay attention to me then I’ll just smoke your weed”. And I did! I smoked his weed and then I went home and wrote the song.
What did you feel when writing this song?
Honestly, I was pretty annoyed. Feeling a bit rejected… that's never a great feeling!
What's your favorite thing about this single?
Probably the honesty in the lyrics. I try to keep it real!
What can you tell us about the music video?
This song is about what so many of us go through in the dating world. You are entertaining someone who is blowing up your socials and seems super interested, which leaves you feeling hopeful and excited. Then when you are together in person, it falls flat and they become uninterested, which leaves you feeling confused and disappointed. So for this video, I wanted to visually portray the expectations we set in our mind of how we want certain situations to play out. I thought it would be really cool to do a split screen with two scenes happening simultaneously. One side is what we are fantasizing will happen and the other is the reality of what is actually happening.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I only get one? Haha. Honestly, it is so hard to break into this industry, so I wish there weren't so many gatekeepers. I also wish people could think things were cool without being told they were cool.
As an artist, how's it like to live in a city like Nashville?
On one side of the coin, it is amazing. You’re surrounded by like minded individuals. You are constantly inspired by the new music this town generates. Most of my friends are in the music industry. I have never felt more understood in a place in my life. On the other side of the coin, it can get hard sometimes because you see success all around you. It can leave you feeling discouraged and doubt your artistry. The thought "will I ever make it" and "is this good enough" goes through my mind on a daily basis.
Besides music, what are you passionate about?
I love animals. I have 3 cats and 2 dogs. I also love interior design and have a recent obsession with plants.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
No one is going to have your best interest at heart, other than you.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
If people could love one another the way my dog loves me.
What message do you want to deliver to the world?
I want to deliver authenticity. I think you do the world a disservice by not being you.
Connect with Mandi: