Exploring sadie’s music evolution
The song offers a polished, mellow take on bedroom-pop, lightly mixed with a trap beat and Schwab’s sweetly Auto-Tuned vocals, sharing moments of late-night drives and conversations about loneliness. It feels both laid-back and expansive at the same time. Recently, sadie has shifted to electronic sounds, which has sparked discussions around hyperpop. The 2022 Nowhere EP and the 2023 Tides EP maintain emotional depth while experimenting with lively rhythms, inspired by Caroline Polachek.Discussing Better Angels’ sound
The artist’s debut album, Better Angels, marks a shift back to guitar for Schwab. It’s set to release this Friday, capturing the emotions of a long-term relationship ending during Brat Summer. The album features twinkly acoustic ballads mingled with glitchy beats and processed vocals, striking a balance between solitude and club energy. The electronic touches enhance the songs without dominating, similar to Alex G’s style. The melodies are enjoyable and the atmosphere immersive, with Schwab’s precise vocals enhancing every track.Examining Better Angels’ vibe
The album features twinkling acoustic ballads combined with glitchy rhythms and treated vocals, creating a blend of introspection and dancefloor energy. The electronic elements serve more as decorations than the foundation, similar to Alex G’s production style. This record excels at crafting an immersive atmosphere with catchy melodies. Schwab’s voice, much like Polachek’s, acts as a sharp instrument enhancing every song. Also, Stereogum interviewed Schwab over Zoom about Better Angels and her digital upbringing. I’m looking forward to paraphrasing the Q&A!Paraphrasing Schwab’s interview
Schwab shares that her home was filled with music, thanks to her mother, a musician, and a close family friend who played piano. She started formal piano lessons at five, even before tackling full classical pieces. Music was a constant presence, and her parents encouraged her to study it alongside math in high school — something she enjoyed. They had a beautiful baby grand piano for her practice.
Next question: "Was pursuing music ever a certainty for you?"
Schwab replies, "Not at all. While I was involved in bands in college, I majored in English and psychology, believing I would become a therapist."Paraphrasing Schwab’s reflections
My boyfriend, to whom the album somewhat relates, encouraged me to take music seriously, acknowledging my talent. I grew up with artist parents, making me crave stability. While I enjoyed music throughout college, I studied English and psychology, believing I’d become a therapist. He challenged me, and I’m grateful he did.
Now, moving on to the next question: "So, you can’t stay mad at him?" Schwab responds, "No, I can’t stay angry."
When asked about the breakup album idea, she emphasizes that it reflects her journey, not just the relationship. It encompasses her aspirations, regrets, and who she wants to become. In her teenage years, she was inspired by Regina Spektor, writing piano pieces without recording them. Later, she joined rock bands and experimented with Ableton, which she found transformative, discovering unique sound elements and overcoming initial intimidation.
She describes a moment with her friend, Eric, where she took charge of the production, realizing she could steer the process and enhancing her understanding of sound dynamics.
Regarding her debut song “4am,” Schwab recalls that she had released just one track upon graduating college.Reflecting on my journey
After releasing my first song, I was determined to become a better producer and wanted to create my own sound without male involvement. I played my first show as sadie at Café Forgot, where musician True Blue (Maya Laner) offered to grab coffee and introduced me to Joey Valley. Collaborating with Joey allowed me to let go of my initial stubbornness, and together we completed “4am” and the EP.
Now, moving to hyperpop influence: I’ve always loved Charli XCX and Sophie. I learned a lot about production from them and A.G. Cook. While I admire Underscores, I wouldn’t label my work as hyperpop, as I typically create slower songs.
As for Brat Summer, I recall it being a time of indecision regarding my relationship. In retrospect, I think my true Brat Summer was last summer when I grappled with those questions.
Regarding returning to acoustic instruments, my taste shifted as I listened to bands utilizing them. I felt stuck, and writing with the guitar felt comforting compared to working on a computer. I was drawn to more organic sounds, even if they would be manipulated later.Exploring my musical journey
I’m currently back to exploring electronic sounds in my music. There was a time when I felt the need to slow down and reconnect with myself, which led me to acoustic textures. Now, I find myself shifting back to electronic elements while still yearning for that connection.
My songwriting process has changed; I used to start with beats, but now I’m trying to draft lyrics first and then create the music around them. It feels challenging, but it helps me focus on the song’s emotional core without feeling pigeonholed.
Water is a significant theme in my work. I have a deep spiritual connection to the ocean, influenced by lifetime swimming rituals with friends. The ocean inspires my lyrics, and although I once dreamed of being a marine biologist, I’m still fascinated by marine life.Reflecting on my ocean experiences
The ocean feels like a sacred and ethereal force to me. I believe diving into the cold ocean doesn’t make me sick; instead, I find it rejuvenating. Swimming facilitates magnesium absorption through the skin, which helps me sleep better afterward. It feels almost therapeutic.
I have a large collection of shells and rocks from a beach I’ve visited since childhood, which I even took to college. Although I never used Tumblr, I loved Vine and now TikTok. My upbringing was quite analog, which perhaps fosters a more intentional appreciation of the internet today. I find it both isolating and connecting.Navigating social media and music
The internet can both connect and isolate me. While TikTok often draws me into others’ lives and feels intimate, it sometimes leaves me feeling alone. Yet, I appreciate the exposure to new worlds. It’s surprising how TikTok persists even with Instagram Reels around. My Reels feed is wild, sometimes getting strange. I enjoy the eerie aesthetic in my music video, having incorporated clips from Reels. The internet broadens music inspiration, though I don’t rely on it heavily for production. I’m curious about AI’s role in creating sounds, even if my sessions occasionally feel time-consuming.
