Sarina On the Making Of ‘The Fool’
How did you come up with the theme for this record?
‘The Fool’ was inspired by what inspires many artists: love, the self, and how we grow from heartbreak. Every song is inspired by a breaking that made me stronger. “Toast to the Broken” is an anthem for the escapists of the world. That youthful brokenness we hide with vice. “Siren or the Sailor” was inspired by the constant questioning of “is it my fault I’m like this?” That constant spiral of doubt and fear and the seductive call of self-loathing. “Race with no end” is all about never feeling good enough and always chasing after something, and yet CHOOSING to pursue your dreams and your goals. Then we cut in with “If you need me to be the villain Then maybe I am),” that surrender to becoming the antagonist of the story. In the same breath, you submit to being the bad guy you are reborn as someone stronger for it. “The end can start with you” is as clear of a title as you can get. Simply put, it is a passing of the gauntlet, it’s saying “for once in my life, I’m not going to be the fall guy for your story.” And then finally we have “Fools Gold” by far the most impactful piece on the EP, it’s all about facades. Smoke and mirrors. It’s your reflection in broken glass, the way it shatters and breaks and fragments and through it all you see yourself in its surface.
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for 'The Fool' to life?
We worked all day in the studio really delving into the songs individually to bring our maximum potential. From the beginning, I had been very clear with the intention of not limiting the sound by restricting the genre. My favourite word is “vibes.” We follow the energy of the music, the melody, the lyrics. Where does the SONG want us to go? I think people, when listening to music, tend to have an instinct for where they want a song to take them and our job in the studio is letting the music speak to you through us. We’re the translators for what the music is saying.
Can you talk about any standout tracks on 'The Fool' and what makes them special to you?
Each song is so dear to me it would be incredibly hard to pick out why I love one more than any others. I’ve had “Fools Gold” written for years and had just been waiting for the right opportunity to release it. Kevin Thrasher did an amazing job producing it and bringing the vision to life as well and I’m so grateful to be able to work with someone so skilled who really grew to me and my music. I think because that song has been thrashing at its leash trying to get out to the public, it may be one of my favourites on the track. I do have to do a cheeky shoutout to “Siren or the Sailor” as I find that song so hauntingly beautiful and I’m a sucker for the eerie and ethereal.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
The stage, the arts, and music in particular have always been how I breathe. I struggled, and continue to struggle, a lot with communication and talking to people and as a kid I didn’t have the skill to maneuver despite those shortcomings. I expressed myself through art, experienced the world through sound, and that translated into the art I made. Whether it was a stage play or an original song, it all came from the things I wanted to do or say that I didn’t know how to.
Can you walk us through your creative process when writing and composing music?
It all comes down to “vibes”! I go with the feeling of whatever wants to come out. Sure, I could sit and try to force out a song but it’s uncomfortable, like trying to fit an elephant in a tin can. As a result, most of my creative process is based on moments of inspiration. I do, however, like to write down concepts and phrases I find interesting. Little things I can refer to when I have that feeling again and need to write it down into something.
