Rachael Sage Talks New Album, New Single And More

Sep 24, 2025 | Interviews

Words by Glenn Sargeant

Feature Image Photo Credit: Anna Azarov

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rachael Sage is set to release her long-anticipated full-band debut with Rachael Sage & The Sequins, titled ‘Canopy’, on Friday 24th October 2025 via MPress Records. A friend of JLTT, we chatted to her about her new album:

You have your new album ‘Canopy’ released on Friday 24th October 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

I recorded what we call ‘basic tracks’ – the foundational elements of each song such as piano, guitar, drums, violin and cello – for the bulk of this album over several days with my band The Sequins. It was a joyful but intensely focused process, and I wear a lot of hats so as the session went on I definitely felt that unique exhaustion-euphoria of being in the studio and working on music for 12 hours a day, roughly. If these humans weren’t also my best friends and uniquely brilliant musicians, it wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun.

After those initial sessions, I recorded most of the rest of the album at my studio in Upstate NY, which we fondly call “The Creek” because it overlooks a lovely creek and is right under a mountain. It’s a pretty idyllic spot for being creative!

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

I recorded it at a a studio called The Carriage House, in Connecticut, where I’ve been making records since I was a teenager. I produced it and my long-time engineer Mikhail Pivovarov was right there with me every step of the way – recording, mixing, mastering and generally cheering me on and being the supportive and uber-talented and capable human he is!!

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

Some of my favorite memories were the overdub sessions, where a bunch of “honorary Sequins” – including my two wonderful organ and accordion players Kevin J. Killen and Rob Curto – came in a put their magic on a bunch of the tunes. These guys always bring so much humor and inventiveness to what they do, and their parts definitely lifted the arrangements to the next level. My trumpet player Russ Johnson is always so surprising when he improvises, but likewise incredibly precise and technically impressive. A particular highpoint was when the studio owner’s grandchildren “crashed” the session and there’s nothing like adorable, wide-eyed and delightful young people to remind us how to not take ourselves too seriously and that what really matters most is communication, connection and laughter, even when the art feels serious in nature. A little toddler-levity is always welcome and at this point I’m basically family there so, it’s always bittersweet when the sessions are over!

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

We record in Protools with a variety of digital and analog outboard gear and an equally wide variety of microphones including various Neumanns on vocals, drums, piano, guitar and strings. We’re always aiming for a warm, retro sound and if there’s a choice between something sounding “bright and punchy” or “warm and dark” I almost always err toward the latter…it’s just what my ears tend to prefer, with some exception.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

“Live It Up” is definitely the peppiest/happiest track on the record, but it’s also about striving for equality and overcoming loneliness and negativity so it’s not entirely fluffy. But musically and lyrically, it’s definitely the most hopeful and encouraging track on the album.

I don’t think I get particularly angry as an artist. If we’re talking about sadness or lamentation, I suppose “Nexus” and “Underneath” – which examine LGBTQ+ bullying and gun violence, respectively – contain a good portion of both.

I feel deeply and chronicle a lot of cultural and political phenomena I may find reprehensible or lacking in fairness, but I do my best to channel that energy and awareness into virtually any emotion but anger. It’s just the way I’m “wired” though of course anger has its place in rock ‘n roll. But I’m a peacenik at heart, and hopefully also in practice. The most reflective song is definitely “Canopy”, the title track, which examines the themes of inclusivity, safety and acceptance as well as the hope that we will allow more womens’ voices to permeate positions of authority. What do we have to lose, but loss itself?

Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?

The core of my band The Sequins consists of drummer Andy Mac, cellists Dave Eggar and Ward Williams, violinist Kelly Halloran and harmonica player/singer Trina Hamlin. Other longtime studio collaborators and honorary Sequins include guitarists James Mastro and Jack Petruzzelli, as well as the aforementioned trumpet player Russ Johnson and organ players Rob Curto and Kevin J. Killen.

Drummer Doug Yowell, percussionist Katie Marie, upright bassist Kerry Brooks and my engineer/bassist Mikhail Pivovarov also contributed, while guest vocalists Annalyse & Ryan and harmonica genius Will Wilde also lent their fantastic talents. These are some of the very best, most expressive and creative musicians out there, and I was pinching myself most of the process!

Does the album’s title have a specific meaning/significance?

After I wrote the song “Canopy” I immediately knew that would be the title of this album. The lyrics and sensibility of that song created an opportunity for me to build a while album around the themes of safety, acceptance and inclusivity. It’s a word and an image that’s not only rich in metaphor given the current cultural and political climate but also inherently hopeful. It signifies structure, protection from the elements, ceremony and celebration. I am always aiming to paint a musical landscape that reflects the times but also aiming to provide comfort and hope. The word itself embodies all those things so it clicked right away for me as a title.

Was it a difficult album to write?

I would say it was a difficult album to complete once I started it, because I was touring a lot in between so there was more stopping and starting than usual, especially when it came time to mix it – much of which was done remotely while I was traveling so I had my ‘fancy’ headphones with me at all times. But no – it wasn’t a particularly difficult albu m to write. I also don’t necessarily write songs for an album as much as I curate songs to belong as a collection on a particular album; for me, these were the right songs to be on this record and I hope the listener feels the same!

Who designed the album artwork?

I created the paintings, and co-designed the CD and vinyl packages with my long-time collaborator Chris Kornmann. The photos are by Anna Azarov and Shervin Lainez, who are both so talented and did a fantastic job of capturing the life-affirming, vibrant aesthetic I wanted to convey – which was directly inspired by the recent revival of the colorful pop art exhibit, “Luna Luna” in NYC.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

Yes, I will be performing in the UK quite a bit this Fall, joying Rebecca Ferguson, Toyah and The Overtones at some really fantastic venues including my favorite, Union Chapel, in October. All those details can be found at http://www.rachaelsage.com !

One of the tracks is the single ‘Nexus’ released on 17th October 2025. What was the story/inspiration behind the song?

“Nexus” was written about a nonbinary teenager in Tennessee who was brutally bullied and beaten by their school classmates, leading to their death – which was eventually ruled a suicide. The total lack of accountability and the degree of hate and ignorance that led to this terrible tragedy was beyond comprehension to me and so many others, and this song is my best attempt to make some sense of the loss not only to Nex’s family but of the senselessness so many incidents of violence that impact LGBTQ+ youth. It’s a delicate subject but we can’t be delicate when it comes to comforting, supporting and uplifting one another in these divisive and increasingly contentious times. I hope that in some small way the song serves to honor a family that loved and supported their child and deserved so much more from their community and the justice system.

Do you have any visualisers to accompany the music?

I have released several videos already for the singles from the forthcoming album including “Canopy”, “Just Enough”, and “The Best Version” – with several more to come including clips for “Belong To You” and “Live It Up”. I absolutely love the process of making videos because it basically pulls together all my favorite aspects of being a performer, an actor, a musician and a visual artist. It’s always exciting to work with different directors and to bring an abstract idea into fruition, in front of the camera!

Feature Image Photo Credit: Anna Azarov

Rachael Sage and The Sequins new album ‘Canopy’ is released on Friday 24th October 2025. Digital & physical pre-orders are available here: mpress.lnk.to/Canopy

2025 UK Tour Dates:

October 28th – Union Chapel – London (Supporting Toyah)

October 29th – Worcester Cathedral – Worcester (Supporting Rebecca Ferguson)

October 30th – Warwick Arts Centre – Coventry (Supporting Toyah)

October 31st – Derby Cathedral – Derby (Supporting Rebecca Ferguson)

Tickets Available Here: https://rachaelsage.com/shows

Official Website: https://rachaelsage.com/