We are joined by Queensland, Australia based artist, Sahara Beck, in the light of her single release, ‘Stillness’.
Having toured with artists such as The Rubens, Bishop Briggs and Ball Park Music and played festivals including Blues Fest, The Falls Music & Arts Festival, Adelaide Fringe and Woodford Folk Festival, Sahara Beck writes and performs her own unique twist of commercial pop music, with lyrical messages that bravely dive to the core of relevant issues and emotions felt today.
With a number of songwriting awards under her belt, Sahara has been awarded third place for the 2019 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition for her track ‘Here We Go Again’, as well as placings within the International Songwriting Competition and the Nashville based Unsigned Find.
Sahara’s latest single, ‘Stillness’ is a deeply personal and vulnerable single that speaks of the experience of panic attacks and mental health, an reality experienced by many each day.
The song highlights a different side of Sahara, from the more dance styles of music we have heard more recently with her music.
‘Stillness’ captures the ‘in the moment’ feeling and experience of a panic attack, taking the listener through the raw messiness and chaos experiences within the moment.
Listening to ‘Stillness’, you are sure to be mesmerised by the authentic and vulnerable side of the artists that is Sahara Beck.
You can listen to ‘Stillness’ below:
Would you like to start by telling us a little about yourself?
My name is Sahara Beck, I grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Australia.
Music is a part of my existence, I’ve been releasing my music for others to hear for 12 years.
Every record is as different as every year in which it took place.
What was it that first inspired you to begin a career in music?
I always sang and learned instruments growing up, I didn’t really think it was possible to be a professional musician unless you were playing classical music and I didn’t want to be a touring classical musician because I liked playing for my own enjoyment.
One day I watched Harry James Angus performing and I never forgot the way his voice moved me and I thought to myself “I want to make people feel like that”.
Ever since that I’ve got the curse and can’t stop!
How would you describe the feel of your music?
My music is honest!
Whatever the style I end up writing and producing in..
Its unashamedly open and honest and I think that’s what people connect with.
You have recently released your single, ‘Stillness’.. what was the inspiration behind the creation of this track?
The inspiration was to have a song I (and others) can listen to when they are feeling anxious or slipping into a panic attack and feel like its okay and there’s nothing to be afraid of because there is stillness within us.
This track touches on a topic that many of us fight everyday with Anxiety and Panic Attacks.. what would you say to someone who is reading this that struggles in this area?
Panic attacks are horrible, but just like everything they pass.
The best advice I have received about panic attacks is to not judge myself while I’m having a panic attack but rather remind myself that I am just experiencing physical and emotional discomfort and that’s all it is and I don’t need to be confused or disappointed in myself for being in this situation suddenly because it isn’t my fault.
What did the creative process look like for ‘Stillness’?
Me and Alex (Henriksson) were hanging out in the garage catching up on what’s been going on in our lives the last month and we started coming up with abstract examples of how to see anxiety.
Alex talked about taking a number of one of those wanted ads on a street post even though we usually never end up calling it.
All the little anxious things we do that end up leading to a mental traffic jam.
I wrote the song with Alex in his house and then recorded it with Tony Buchen while I was in Los Angeles.
It was in the studio in LA where I thought of those heavy guitars to match the Stillness in the chorus.
Where do you find your inspiration for your music?
Everywhere and anywhere.
I’m a big believer that the song comes through you from some sort of creative energy ball out there in the universe.
I think as writers we can mimic that magic but the true original songs that connect with the most people are out of our control.
How has Covid-19 affected your releasing?
Covid 19 has affected every part of my life just like I’m sure it has for everyone.
I have songs from over 2 years ago that still haven’t been released because of all the push backs from covid.
What would you like to see happen for you in your music from here?
I’d love to have a number 1 song one day (why not!)..but if one of my songs could reach a larger audience and make them feel something special then that would make me incredibly happy.
To bring so many people joy would be so special.
What is one message you would like to share with your fans?
You’re never alone if you have music.
Where can people find your music?
On all the usual streaming platforms 🙂
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.