Q&A with Denver Artist Sarah Christine

I’ve had the pleasure of songwriting for over a decade, starting in a band called SarahLou in Minnesota and then transitioning to writing on my own project as Sarah Christine after our band in MN had to split up due to job changes (three members relocated out of state in which I had a decision then to just quit or start writing my own music).  For the past two years, I’ve really focused the majority of my time on touring, writing, collaborating with other artists, and doing as much as I can in the songwriting community. Last year I was able to book shows in over 10 states in less than three months, and it was absolutely amazing being on the road dedicating time and resources to my art projects. I’m beyond excited to soon share my new album, Hotel Earth, created this year with my now dear friend, and producer, Grammy-winning, Jackie’s Boy.

My style starts with creating primarily in a singer-songwriter fashion over the piano. I come up with hooks, melodies, and different lyric ideas, usually while playing the keys. However, I have a pop (and often dance pop) composition that is playing much bigger in my mind as I write. With that being said, collaborating with other artists that too see that vision and then bring that sound fully to life. Almost every song you hear on my new album, Hotel Earth, was created this way and then evolves little by little over time until it’s just right. That’s the beauty of music being what I’d call an art project… as you keep adding layers of paint, the painting begins to pop and eventually (and hopefully) become a mini-masterpiece that you hope somehow serves the world in the best way possible.

My mind works a bit backward with writing. I’m not really one that, for example, just sits down to write on a blank slate. I’m more of an idea girl, meaning that I see or hear things that then bring some sort of song idea into my brain. Quickly, from there, I can kind of hear where I think it could go. Then, I usually sit at the piano with that hook in my head or song idea and start scribbling away.

For example, with my single “Body Forward,” I was walking around Sloan’s Lake in Denver, just getting some exercise and meditation in, (and) I observed a gal who was uncomfortable with her size. I saw her tugging her shirt and constantly pulling at her clothes. My heart broke for her because I thought she was stunning. Then I saw another gal who was the same size super confident and flaunting it all, and I was so happy to see her loving who she was. Then I saw a gal, very skinny, tugging on her clothes and uncomfortable. Then a gal, same size, running like the wind in hardly any clothing, knowing she was smokin’ hot. I thought, wow, I wish we were all body-forward because every size is truly beautiful, and what a shame to feel anything other than… beautiful. “Body Forward”—the hook.  I wrote the rest of the song on my iPhone as I finished the loop, and that’s how the single began.

I’m inspired by different emotions and interactions every day. What your heart feels is given to us, I think, to use to create something with that feeling in the hope that it serves and helps other people, and also serves our own processing. I’m also inspired by different instruments and beats. Sometimes a song that I might have written as a slow ballad transforms overnight if I’m introduced to a new way of tracking the song. Randomly, I write a lot of music in the bath (haha).

You gotta fight and fight hard to be heard. I’ve faced so many challenges. To be honest, so many, sadly, that it’s hard to just name one story. But I guess I’d say this—It’s so important to be your authentic self the best that you can because I know that’s a hard thing in itself too, and stand behind your music and how you identify. Many people won’t get it. Many people will throw hate, maybe not book you, or book you again, or play your music on the radio.

Whatever it is, there’s always someone who won’t agree with who you are or what you stand for. I guess I’m of the mindset that we have to be stronger than any hate and misunderstanding but also be really vocal and come together when we do experience that level of trauma. I’ve dealt with it my entire life with music but also through family and friends who didn’t understand. There are so many daily obstacles. But I think we are made the way we are because we are strong, and we are here to show the world that being “different” is an incredibly beautiful thing.  I’m so proud to be a queer woman and artist, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. Stay strong out there—We got this! I definitely have your back too when you need it. And, I’m so proud of you for being proud of being you! In it together!

My “why” behind making music is just that. Not only inspiring the next generation, but there are people out there much older than me who are picking up instruments or putting their art out there that didn’t before. I want to make music not only just because it’s a beautiful thing—a song lives forever—but to help inspire people to follow their dreams too, that if you work hard, hustle, create authentically, and just do the best you can, you can do anything you set your mind to do.  We all make a thousand mistakes; I know I sure do, and it’s about learning from those, getting better, doing the best you can, working on yourself and your craft, sometimes even facing your hardest emotions or demons, and coming out stronger and on top. Most importantly, I want to be so involved in the movement of being IN IT TOGETHER. None of us can do this alone. We need each other.

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who is supporting me and this journey in music. It’s one of the hardest industries to break into and navigate. Layer in being a female queer artist; it’s even harder. I need you. I thank you. I see you. I feel you. Your support means the world to me—more than you’d probably ever know. I have had some really amazing times and some really hard times, and through it all, you’ve helped get me through.

Now here we are working with a Grammy-winning team, about to put out an amazing pop record that we made FOR YOU. I hope it helps you, serves you, inspires you, makes you dance, makes you cry, and feel all the feels. It’s been an honor writing Hotel Earth with and for you. You’ll see three singles come out this summer, and then the full record will release this October. You can follow our journey together at @sarahchristinemplsmusic and on all things streaming. Lastly, I mean this from the bottom of my heart, we are friends, and if there is any way I can support you too, please be sure to reach out. You have all my love and my entire soul. Truly.  Thank you for listening, and thank you, OFM, for believing in me and my music. I love the OFM family and am grateful for you all!