Rachael Sage Talks New Single, Her Voice And More

New York singer-songwriter, poet, arranger and producer Rachael Sage has released her new album ‘Another Side’ which includes the single ‘The Place Of Fun (Reimagined). She chatted to JLTT all about it:

When did you begin songwriting?

I started writing songs when I was 3 or 4 with just music, mainly. By the time I was 5 I was adding words and when I went to sleepaway camp that summer I was very eager to share them during our camp talent shows (think “Dirty Dancing”); I haven’t really looked back since!

What is your earliest musical memory?

My earliest musical memory is going to see “Oklahoma” on Broadway as a toddler and coming home, sitting at our living-room piano, and sounding out the score by ear, with just my right hand. I remember doing it and I remember my mom kind of freaking out. It was a big day I suppose – the day I “came out” as a musician, to my distinctly non-musical family!

Your single ‘The Place Of Fun (Reimagined) is out now. What was the inspiration/story behind the track?

I started writing “The Place Of Fun” during lockdown, and it was a bit of a diary entry – sparked by my own frustrations and challenges maintaining closeness with loved-ones while we were far-flung during the pandemic. It was such a strange, overwhelming time and it was difficult to know how to make the best use of a period when we were essentially told to put the very things that make us human entirely on hold. For performing artists especially, there was a bit of an identity crisis and certainty a lot of fear. By the time I got to make this revamped acoustic reimagined version of the track, I’d been able to tour again and get back out there supporting Imelda May and Howard Jones – so the contrast of reemerging into tour life after so much isolation was stark. I’m so grateful and happy to be back to doing what I love most, forging connection through music, and reclaiming my “place of fun”!

The song is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

Lee Malone directed the video, and Carlos Gu, from “Strictly Come Dancing”, stars in in. The concept was essentially showing the contrast between the isolation and turmoil of lockdown – visualized through use of shadow and screens – and the freedom of everything opening up again, which both Carlos and myself represent through our movements and performance in a wide open London loft space. It was really important to us that the video convey the emotions of the song rather than have a literal narrative, and I really hope that comes across!

In addition, your new album an acoustic re-imagining of your album ‘The Other Side’ is entitled ‘Another Side’. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

My goal in making Another Side was to really strip things back so the vulnerability and connectivity of our live performances of these songs on tour came through, on new recorded versions. There are only acoustic instruments in the arrangements – which were re-recorded entirely from scratch – and as a result I think it’s easier to follow the lyrics, the storytelling aspect and the overall arc of the themes of overcoming obstacles and transcending fear.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

I self-produced the album and it was engineered and mixed by Mikhail Pivovarov.
With a few exceptions such as some of the strings and a few percussion elements that were recorded remotely, we tracked it at my home studio, The Creek, in The Hudson Valley. I have a very cozy vibe happening up there, and it’s such a gift to be able to take a walk, commune with nature and then get back to work energized and refreshed. It’s definitely a more relaxed energy than when I’ve previously worked in NYC, as much as I also love the big city.

You featured a lot of guests and friends on the album including Crys Matthews, Annalyse & Ryan and more. How was it recording with them, and do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

It was really fun having Annalyse & Ryan sing and play on the record, because they’ve become close friends and neighbors so really it just felt very natural. I always put out (vocal friendly) snacks and we just hang out a bit and chat and then eventually it’s like, “oh right, what are we gonna sing on?” I think our affection and mutual respect really comes through and the same certainly goes for my other special guests Crys Matthews, Any Speace and Grace Pettis! I am a huge superfan of each of their work so to be able to collaborate with them vocally was really meaningful and they are each spectacular singer-songwriters so it was a big honor!

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I hope alive made some good, solid mistakes because that usually means I’ve taken some musical risks! I used to want my shows and my instrumental playing and vocals to be as perfect as possible but now I feel more accomplished when things are a bit more adventurous even if I miss a note or fluff a chord because generally thats when I’m also really “leaving it all out there”, thinking less and feeling more. I’m talking subtle mistakes btw…usually the audience can’t tell but I know and getting out of my head and fully into the present and my heart is my #1 goal.

Of course, if I can encourage others to abandon fear and embrace hope, along with perhaps the confidence and empowerment to pursue their passion in some fashion, that’s a big part of my goal as well.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I use Casio Privia keyboards and they’re great! Incredibly light to travel with and they sound fantastic. I play Guild and Gretsch guitars generally on tour and in the studio that guitar arsenal expands to include some Martin and Gibson beauties as well. I’ve sung on Shure mics most of my life and they’ve served me well but am always open to exploring other possibilities.

My electric guitar pedal board currently includes a Stryman anmp simulator which has really served me well on tour, and a variety of distortion and tremolo pedals. I attend NAMM every year in CA and really enjoy testing out new pedals, mics and synths – even if I generally revert to my trusted classics.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

I live in the Hudson Valley, in New York. In five words: creative, warm, connective, relaxed, beautiful.

How do you look after your voice?

I do warmups and warm downs in the tour van before and after each show. I also make sure to warm up my body and stretch, which I think makes a huge difference for me vocally as well as for my breathing, I avoid talking too much after shows as well, which can be challenging!

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

The Master And Margarita but Victor Bulgakov. It’s my favorite book and I saw an interesting musical production of it once at Edinburgh Fringe…but let’s just say If approach it very differently!

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Hozier, Elvis Costello, Fantatsic Negrito, Passenger, James Taylor, Sarah McLachlan, Carole King, Imelda May, Alanis Morrissette, Loreena McKennit, Indigo Girls, Aurora…

I saw Aurora last year in Hyde Park and was utterly blown away by her vocal talent, songwriting and her ease as a performer. I think she also had a great sense of humor and love her dancing. In some ways she reminds me of Bjork but I think that’s too reductive; she had a freshness and imaginative quality that is brand new and it will be interesting to see how her career evolves.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2024?

Yes! I will be back in the UK in September supporting the fabulous Will Young, and also touring with the great Hue & Cry in November: then I hunker down to finish my next record, and hopefully I’ll be back in the UK/Europe in late Spring or early summer, next year!

Who created/designed the album cover?

I did! I also designed the package and did the layout. I painted the backdrop the night before the photoshoot because out outdoor location was rained out. Everything for a reason!

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2024/2025?

I will be releasing an official video in the Fall for my song “Albatross”, and a few other surprises. I release exclusive live recordings and archival demos frequently on my Patreon, which offered a bunch of fun subscription tiers. Check it out at www.patreon.com/rachaelsage 

What makes Rachael Sage happy and what makes you unhappy?

Kindness makes me happy and cruelty makes me pretty damn sad. I was badly bullied as a kid and have always been an empath so it can become difficult to navigate this world the more pain and suffering that comes to light every day on social media and the news. The only language I’ve ever been able to use to fully express my emotions is the arts. So that’s what I’m going to keep doing – being as creative as possible, and hopefully also uplifting others, in the process!