Q+A: Dark Pop Artist Sadye Delves Into Vulnerable Truths In Project "The Joke Is On Me"

In an exclusive interview with Fandom Daily, Sadye opens up about the deeply personal experiences that fuel her music, including her battle with cancer. We explore the inspiration behind her latest single, "The Joke Is On Me," and her innovative ventures.

by Gabbi Calvert - Jul 02 2024
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Get ready to dive deep into the world of Sadye, the singer-songwriter whose raw, personal lyrics and infectious melodies have captivated fans and critics alike. Known for turning life’s toughest moments into powerful music, Sadye’s ability to connect through her art is truly exceptional.

Fandom Daily had the privilege of delving into the heart of her artistry. We'll discuss the inspiration behind her latest single, "The Joke Is On Me," and how her personal struggles, including her battle with cancer, have shaped her music. Sadye's talent lies in balancing dark, introspective themes with a pop sensibility that resonates widely with audiences.

We’ll also explore her thoughts on the evolving music industry, including her ventures into web3 and the impact of blockchain technology. As fans, we're eager to hear how Sadye stays connected with her audience and what’s next on her journey. Join us as we uncover the stories behind the songs and the passion driving this remarkable artist.

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Fandom Daily: Can you tell us about yourself? How would you describe yourself as a singer-songwriter?

Sadye: "My lyrics are at the heart of what I do. Everything I write comes from a deeply personal place. I’ve always written, whether that’s been songs or poetry. I just have a drive to create that way. I started writing songs because I had things to say and it felt natural." 

Fandom Daily: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest single, "The Joke Is On Me," and how your personal experiences, particularly your battle with cancer, influenced the creation of this song?

Sadye: "The whole concept of the song is in the first two lines. I went into the studio with my friends and I told them about this idea that was kind of ruining my brain. It was the idea that I survived so much just to come out the other end so traumatized that I wanted to die. It’s like, so much went into just keeping me alive when I was so sick, but what was that for if I’m mentally ruined? That’s not how I feel day to day. But in dark times that’s where my head goes or has gone and it’s just like, so absurd that it’s almost funny. So that’s where the song came from."

Fandom Daily: Your lyrics often delve into darker themes, yet your music maintains an infectious pop sensibility. How do you strike a balance between exploring heavy subject matter and creating catchy, accessible melodies?

Sadye: "Everything I have to say right now is kind of dark, but I don’t have a desire to make slow, brooding music. So I don’t. I end up with songs that hit even though they’re about depression, or being used, or being traumatized. If you take out the lyrics I just want the songs to be driving and cinematic and nostalgic. The lyrics are heavy because that’s what I have to say right now."

Fandom Daily: How would you like your fans to feel when they listen to “The Joke Is On Me” ? Could you elaborate on how this theme plays out in the song and what message you hope listeners take away from it?

Sadye: "It’s weird because I don’t want to say I hope people relate, because that would mean they’re struggling, but I hope if people can relate, they feel seen when they listen. We go through dark things in life and for me it wasn’t this linear situation of, it happened, I healed, now what? Certain things will never leave me, so it’s about just expressing myself and facing that, and knowing we’re all human and it can feel awful but it’s okay. Maybe there’s even humor in it. I hope whoever relates to that feels seen."

Fandom Daily: You've ventured into the web3 space, offering exclusive digital rewards to your fans. How do you see technology shaping the future of music, and what excites you most about embracing these new platforms?

Sadye: "To be honest, I don’t feel like there’s one person who can accurately predict the future of the music industry right now, but I have friends and peers trying to figure that out and I’ve worked with many of them. I just want to be on the ride. I don’t want to be watching things happen. I hate watching. I want to participate. A huge appeal of web3 spaces for me coming in, was the sense of excitement and community. It’s been amazing."

Fandom Daily: Your song "Pretty Traumatized" was minted on Sound.xyz, showcasing your interest in emerging technology. How do you see blockchain and NFTs impacting the music industry, both creatively and financially?

Sadye: "That’s a tough question. It’s such an open and changing road. Even in the short time I’ve been in these spaces so much has changed and keeps changing. It’s wild right now. But I’ve had such high highs and I love the unpredictable nature of it all because it’s full of possibilities. I think something weird we’ve been doing though, is trying to envision how the music industry will change with new tech, and we’re trying to envision it in this version of the world where other things don’t also change drastically. Everything right now is being impacted by AI. It’s hard for me to envision where anything will be at, but I think it’s important to always be trying things and trying to move forward through it."

Fandom Daily:Your lyrics often reflect a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. How has your personal growth influenced your songwriting process, particularly in navigating themes of self-worth and resilience?

Sadye: "I think I’m still figuring that out. I’ve been a lot more bold in my lyrics lately, but I’m not sure if that comes from growth or from being tired of masking certain emotions. Maybe that is growth? Just saying what I want to say even if it’s ugly and unflattering. For a while every writing room I was in was pushing for empowering lyrics and I just kept thinking, isn’t it way more interesting to just be a human and be ugly sometimes?"

Fandom Daily: Your music has received acclaim from both mainstream and alternative music platforms. How do you feel your sound transcends traditional genre boundaries, and what influences have shaped your eclectic musical style?

Sadye: "I think if I try too hard to define what I’m doing it gets really weird for me. I lean towards themes and lyrics that are considered less mainstream, but I’ve always loved pop structure and rules because my brain just likes them. So I end up somewhere between alt and mainstream. I’m influenced by The Weeknd, Charli XCX, HEALTH, Jessica Lea Mayfield. I was told The Weeknd wasn’t pop and that seemed confusing to me. I just make what I think is cool and what I feel excited about."

Fandom Daily: How do you stay connected with your devoted fanbase? What is the key to success in building a passionate fandom?

Sadye: "I try to stay as connected as possible. I message people back, I reply to their comments. I try to acknowledge everyone that reaches out in any way, because I’m grateful for the support. I don’t want to feel removed from the people supporting me. I feel lucky to do what I do and have anyone listen and connect. I don’t know the key to success, maybe just actually wanting to talk to people and having fun? I feel like those supporting me now already get my sense of humor and their messages and tweets and comments are usually hilarious if not very sweet. I love the cult. I wake up for them and because of them."

Fandom Daily:  What’s next for you? Could we expect a tour or a full-length album anytime soon?

Sadye: "I have more singles coming this year and more live performances. I’m just excited to see where these songs take me and to keep building with the cult."

 

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