Sadie Leigh
Sadie Leigh has been one of my favorite female vocalists for three years now. I first interviewed her in 2020. I don’t believe that song is still on those streaming platforms anymore, but I’m proud I got to feature her since the beginning of her career. I always believed in her and seeing her growth as an artist these past few years (and especially this year) has been wonderful to watch. Her new single “Gasoline” is definitely her best song yet and it is one of the best song I’ve ever heard this year. “Gasoline” is massive.
Sadie Leigh is truly an amazing talent and I can’t wait for her to conquer the world. Mark my words.
“Gasoline” is now available worldwide !
Photo credit: Sophie Gustafson & Charlie Griffin
Hi Sadie, how are you? What have you been up to since our first interview?
Hi Virginie :) I feel like I have so much to catch you up on. Since 2020 I’ve graduated from college, moved back home, moved out, moved back home, and moved out again. I’ve traveled a bunch, released three songs, been in my first-ever writing sessions, and realized I prefer my own solitude (for the most part) when it comes to writing. Other than that it’s just been lots of gigs and work!
You've just released your new single "Gasoline" - what's the story behind this song?
“Gasoline” is about my relationship with myself and the fight between wanting to be closed off and isolated, living in my own little world, and wanting to do what everyone else wants me to do and be who I imagine everyone else wants me to be (and in the end neither is all that good for me). I think my early 20s have been more about finding myself than my teen years ever were. I’m learning that I don’t need to isolate myself to be independent and that I don’t need to be a people pleaser to be likable.
When did you start working on "Gasoline"? Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song?
I wrote “Gasoline” with three complete strangers (Spencer Hendricks, Kaitlin Stark, & Tre Wright) in my first-ever writing session in July of 2021. I’m old school, so I came in with my little notebook and started throwing out this idea about a girl (me!) who lives alone and only dances when it’s dark and only sings when she’s alone or something like that. It was essentially about my fears of being perceived/judged. I mentioned loving Fleetwood Mac and Spencer started playing this gorgeous fingerpicking thing, almost Landslide-esque. Kaitlin and I were chatting and spitting out lyrics as if we’d known each other for 30 years, and Tre was layering guitars with Spencer and creating the coolest sounding demo I’d ever heard. Maybe one day I’ll put it on SoundCloud or something.
Although I remember walking out of the session being sort of scared to show the demo to my dad, just because of how much I’ve looked up to him as a musician and a writer. He’s co-written a few other songs with me ("Attendance Record", most notably!) and they’ve tended to be the more complicated, sophisticated ones. I wasn’t sure how a simpler pop song would resonate with him, but he LOVED it. And ever since I sent her the demo, “Gasoline” has been my mom’s favorite of mine by FAR (so much so that I always have and always will announce it as “my mom’s favorite song” at shows).
Then my band and I tracked everything at TedAudio, I recut the lyrics at Tom Spiker’s (because I can’t ever be content with my vocals), and I brought the tracks to Ed Graves, my producer. I honestly just let him do his thing, because he truly knows best and has always done the most incredible things with what I give him. He’s based in the UK, so I sat on zoom for probably 12 hours getting this track together and watching him work his magic.
What did you feel when recording this song?
During the demo, nervous. Everything about the situation was new to me. When I recorded it for real, I honestly still felt nervous, which is weird for me. I typically don’t get nervous to record/perform, but I put a lot of pressure on myself for this song in particular, and felt I never sung it all that well. I really wanted to do the song and the lyrics justice.
What's your favorite lyric on "Gasoline”?
Besides the “I love her, I hate me”s of the chorus, I have a love for “I think things I can’t explain” and I don’t know why. I think the idea of not being able to understand and explain your own thoughts just really encapsulates the idea that sometimes the brain can feel like it’s inhabited by two roommates who don’t get along.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
I have my little dream team of Sophie Gustafson (my sister!) & Charlie Griffin to thank for that. I texted them one night about the possibility of an impromptu photoshoot in my apartment (the walls were and still are empty, so they're the perfect blank backdrop). We turned off the lights, I lit a candle, and got the shot in like, 20 minutes. I wanted the artwork to reflect the two sides of me, and Soph & Charlie delivered.
What made you want to release "Gasoline" as a single?
As soon as we wrote it we knew it had to be out in the world (and then I took two whole years to actually decide to release it.) I knew I couldn’t be the only one feeling the way I was feeling. At the time I had loose plans to put out an EP (and four other songs in the vault that were already set to be on it), and honestly, at first I didn’t think “Gasoline" fit. Later that year I decided I didn’t care, and that if I liked it it should be released.
How's it like to be a woman in the music industry? What message do you want to give to women out there?
It’s sometimes the hardest and worst thing in the world, if I’m being honest. But I suppose being a woman in any industry is the hardest and worst thing in the world. To quote Taylor Swift, “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can” ("Wonder if I’d get there quicker if I was a man” ???). I feel like this year especially I’ve seen the worst of it. I've always watched these strong women get screwed over by slimy men, but now I’m lucky enough to be experiencing it in real time! (How exciting!) Though I’m oddly grateful for it. I feel stronger and more street smart in a way.
To all the women in music, don’t let a man determine your worth. It sounds cliche, but it happens so often, and even when you think you’re strong enough to stay unaffected, it gets to your head (and it certainly did to mine). Surround yourself with a team of other strong women, and please, PLEASE don’t get caught up in the competitiveness of the industry so much so that you begin to tear down other women yourself. If you know me, you know I’m competitive myself, but I want my ladies to succeed just as much as I want to succeed myself.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
For me, the hardest part is either imposter syndrome, lack of self esteem (sort of synonymous with imposter syndrome), or the aforementioned slimy men. And on a bad day, I’ll get hit with all three and consider quitting music altogether. But the best part is what keeps me from quitting. Performing, getting to see real people singing my lyrics back to me, seeing journal entries turn into songs—all of that fuels me.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
Today’s music industry frustrates me, to be honest. I think we’re prioritizing the wrong things. I think certain people and certain companies are too power hungry. Just like fashion and its trends, I think the music industry moves far too quickly and focuses too much on quantity over quality. I wish labels would invest in artists/bands that actually have something to contribute to the music industry, rather than something that’ll make them a quick buck. I sound like someone’s grandfather, but there’s a reason 90% of what I listen to is from the 60s-90s.
What does singing make you feel?
Singing has always been a tried and true stress-reliever for me. When I’m singing it’s like I’m weightless.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
Amy Winehouse was and always is a huge inspiration. Frank, Back to Black--I just adore her. I listened to those a lot when I was writing these songs, along with Corinne Bailey Rae’s self titled, “Dawn" by Yebba, Sia’s "1000 Forms of Fear", Olivia Dean’s "What Am I Gonna Do On Sundays” EP, and anything old school, like Aretha and Etta. My producer Ed also introduced me to Arlo Parks a few years ago, and I’ve loved her ever since.
Though lately I’ve been on a 90s kick. I listened to Jagged Little Pill for the first time in a while on my walk this morning, and have had Fiona Apple and the Cranberries on repeat. So maybe that’ll come out in the new stuff I’m writing.
But aside from these, Pink Floyd is just always on.
What biggest lessons have you learned this year?
I feel like I got slapped in the face with quite a few lessons this year, but I’m grateful. The universe was like "oh she’s 22 going on 23? Let’s hit her with everything.” Not to be cliche, but I think the most important lessons I’ve learned are the ones I worked through while writing “Gasoline”. I feel like I’m figuring myself out more, I don’t shy away from asking for/accepting help anymore, and I’ve surrounded myself with people who love and support me. I was talking to my friend about this not too long ago, but I feel like at this age I’m really focusing on friendships. I feel closer to my mom than ever, closer to my sisters, and closer to the women in my life in general, and it’s really grounding.
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