Sadye on Rebirth and Breaking Toxic Cycles
Sadye transcends the limits of experimental and mainstream alt-pop, challenging listeners and breathing new life into the genre with otherworldly mystique and uncompromising vision. From humble beginnings as a small town singer/songwriter, Sadye writes with depth and heart, often taking on unexpectedly dark and heavy themes.
Sadye’s debut single, “Biblical,” represents a rebirth of sorts, building on what came before, but charging forward without looking back – beautiful and catchy, yet dark and familiar, Sadye invites listeners to join her ethereal cult and indulge their deepest inhibitions.
“Biblical” is about “going back to someone you know is bad for you over and over again,” Sadye says. “Like, yes, I’m caught in this person's web, but maybe I know exactly what I’m doing.”
Inspired by her discovering self-worth and dealing with toxic relationships, her lyrics are steeped in a sarcastic form of catharsis as she learns to love her literal, and figurative scars; a theme beautifully juxtaposed by catchy, modern melodies and edgy pop production.
“Writing it [“Biblical”] for me helped me break the cycle of going back to this person over and over again,” Sadye says. “I hope the essence of that is in the song. I hope it helps whoever is listening relate to it and also break the cycle, because I feel like writing it gave me a boost of confidence because I loved the song so much. I was like, ‘wow, I can make something so dope like, I don't care about this person. Forget about them.’”
[UNPUBLISHED]: Thank you for sitting down and talking to Unpublished Magazine. Our readers would love to get to know you and your music more. For any readers who aren’t familiar, what inspires your artistic style and creative persona?
[SADYE]: I would say I draw a lot from personal experience. So right now in this era, I'm wearing all white because I really wanted to create a blank canvas and start fresh with my first solo releases. I would say this whole era for me right now is a rebirth. My writing has really evolved a lot over the last several years – a blank canvas. I've been through a lot, like a lot of health issues, so also the stark whiteness is medical in a sense. I'm trying to start again and start a new era.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it?
[SADYE]: It's definitely dark pop. I would say it's not villain-era pop, but it's always a little bit twisted. Whether that's lyrically or sonically, I'm very blunt and sarcastic. I still like making songs that make you feel good and that sound is a super upbeat pop song, but maybe what I'm saying is a bit more twisted.
[UNPUBLISHED]: You just released your debut single “Biblical” and a huge congratulations is in order. How does it feel for your debut single to finally be out in the world?
[SADYE]: I'm honestly so excited. I don't know if I've ever been this excited. It is a very long, hard road in this industry, and I don't take releases for granted. I'm just so happy to be able to put music out and to be here.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is the inspiration behind “Biblical?”
[SADYE]: It's definitely based on a relationship that I was in that was just super back and forth. The day I wrote it, I decided I'm never writing about this person again, like I'm over it. I don't even want to hear the sound of my own voice talking about this. I went into the studio and I realized that was the studio that I had been in the day that I met this person. It had been almost two years since I've been back there.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What messages or emotions do you hope listeners can take away from it?
[SADYE]: Writing it for me helped me break the cycle of going back to this person over and over again. I hope the essence of that is in the song. I hope it helps whoever is listening relate to it and also break the cycle, because I feel like writing it gave me a boost of confidence because I loved the song so much. I was like, ‘wow, I can make something so dope like, I don't care about this person. Forget about them.’ Now I have this hot pop song, this is what I care about. I think that energy is in the record, so I hope it helps other people feel confident and break the cycle.
[UNPUBLISHED]: “Biblical” touches on going back to someone who is bad for you. What advice would you give to those who are currently going through this situation?
[SADYE]: I would say let yourself make mistakes, but be real with yourself. Be honest with yourself. I don't have any regrets in the relationship. I think sometimes you have to let yourself just make mistakes and let things run their course, but always be honest with yourself.
[UNPUBLISHED]: “Biblical” also represents a form of rebirth. How has this theme been found in your creative process or songwriting?
[SADYE]: In terms of the rebirth, I think my writing itself has evolved so much over the last couple years. I figured out how to be honest in a way that sounds more like me. I feel like I really found my voice in my writing and I'm just very excited to continue to use that.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How does it feel to be exposing yourself in such an honest and vulnerable way? Is it hard for you?
[SADYE]: When I wasn’t writing and pulling from my own experiences and through something else, the records were never as good. It is tough to be really honest and vulnerable and talk about things that aren't flattering all the time, but I think it's the only option.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What do you love most about this song? Is there a specific lyric or message that stands out to you the most?
[SADYE]: I would say I decided to flip the narrative a little bit. At the time that I was going through it, this person was definitely in control of the situation and I was just running after them. They were stepping all over my emotions, but in the song, I talk about how I take the good or I take the bad to get the good from you. I use you. I gotta kind of flip it and stand my ground and know exactly what I’m doing in that situation. Maybe I'm using you like you're using me, but at the time I wouldn't say it felt like that to me. I'm happy that I got to flip it in the song.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What has been one of your most rewarding moments in your career so far?
[SADYE]: I would say just getting to collaborate with so many amazing musicians and producers. I feel like when I first started making music and writing, I did a lot by myself and the more I came out to LA, the more I got to work with so many people. I feel like music is meant to be collaborative. I'm lucky that I've had really great experiences with everybody that I've gotten to work with.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What is something that not a lot of people know about you?
[SADYE]: Probably that I'm actually pretty sensitive. I'm very sure of myself and I know who I am. I say what's on my mind, and I think people can mistake that for maybe being cold or unshakable, but when someone hurts me, it cuts deep and I don't really shake things off easily.
[UNPUBLISHED]: What artists are you currently listening to?
[SADYE]: I love Charli XCX. I love The Weeknd and everything he puts out.
[UNPUBLISHED]: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like for you that you would like to share with Unpublished?
[SADYE]: I'm feeling good. I'm feeling ready and very confident and just excited to put out as much music as possible this year. I'm just excited.
