Exclusive Interview with SAHARA BECK

Sahara has developed into an artist who is successfully bridging cultures and genres – the true chameleon – writing dance floor toplines for international artists, performing on a trapeze while singing on stage, and carving out her own niche in the art/alt pop space.
‘Mr Breezy’ was produced by Kon Kersting (Tones And I, Jungle Giants, Mallrat, The Rubens) and co-written by Alex Henriksson (Matt Corby, Jarryd James, and Budjerah) . The song was included in her wildly successful stage production “Bite Club,” which she created with Briefs Factory International. She performed three shows at Glastonbury this year, nine shows at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, and one-month runs at the Edinburgh and Perth Fringe Festivals. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

SAHARA BECK: I was born in Darwin, but grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. I’ve been making music since I was 12 years old 😊 I don’t plan on stopping ….

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

SAHARA BECK: I had piano and singing lessons in primary school and then I started guitar lessons a little later on as well – mostly to impress a crush 😊 I briefly played trumpet to. I guess you could say I’m an enduring student of songwriting though, as I feel this is something I will continue to want to learn and explore. It’s a major passion for me and a wonderful outlet to explore how I think and feel.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘SAHARA BECK’?

SAHARA BECK: My earliest influence was defintiely The Cat Empire. They are this incredible live band with about dozen band members haha. Hugely energetic and vibey. I fell in love with Harry James Angus’ voice and the way he was able to captivate an audience just by singing. Watching them showed me how people can be brought into the present moment just by hearing music. My Dads last name is Beck – my family are from Germany – and my given name/s is Sahara Regine. It felt natural to perform under my own name especially as i am a singer – songwriter.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

SAHARA BECK: I guess my biggest aim is to create a world that listeners can escape into – I hope that is what my fans are able to do when they put on my music. My voice is probably a key element people also gravitate to. I broadly describe my music as Art/Alternative Pop, but really I straddle many genres. That’s the way I like it.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?

SAHARA BECK:

I try write and create music to emulate an emotion and to write the music that I’m hearing in my head when I write the song. IN that sense, its less about allowing influences to creep into your music and more about expressing honesty. Sometimes that is easier to do when I’m writing with a Producer because they can provide an outside perspective. When I started writing at the age of 12 I was limited by ability and age – so I tended to use my voice as the focal point of expression I guess as it was more natural to do that and much easier for me. As I became a more accomplished musician I began to explore more of the styles I loved. And used this to elevate my emotive expression. More recently I have been influenced by the kind of pop production that you hear by artists such as St Vincent and Santigold.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

SAHARA BECK:

Art is expression. For me, I think the role of music and art is to provide a vehiclee to express honesty with how you’rethinking and feeling to the point that when someone else hears you and connects it allows them to also feel they have a voice for what they are going through. I think sometimes hearing a situation from a different perspective ie. In a song – it helps you to understand what you are going through as well. Its that opportunity for connection that the arts provides that resonates with me the most.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

SAHARA BECK:

As long as it keeps giving a safe place for others to feel something then it is giving me back as much as I’ve put in to it.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

SAHARA BECK:

Every time is pretty different. I think I usually start with a melody that is running through my head and then add the music and lyrics. I love to collaborate with others, I love the energy of collaborative songwriting sessions and the unexpected nature of them. It adds another interesting dynamic and element to your work – as well as a difference perspective sometimes. And it can stretch you as a writer and performer. Which always feels good. When I’ve written in the dance space, I usually receive the music bed and I just need to add a’topline’ to it. So I’ll work on a melody first usually then figure out a lyric.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

SAHARA BECK:

Definitely Covid 19! That was a dark time in the midst of it all and I know we are still working through it but I just can’t imagine ever being able to compare any other experience to this.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

SAHARA BECK: Getting to create a Theatre & Burlesque show with Briefs Factory International and tour it across the UK and play Glastonbury Festival. Its been an incredible experience!

11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

SAHARA BECK: I don’t really pay attention to that and if I accidentally do I guess it doesn’t feel good but it’s not my problem.

12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

SAHARA BECK: I love them for different reasons, I don’t get nervous going into the studio, I do get nervous going on stage, but going on stage is more instantly rewarding. I do love singing live.

13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

SAHARA BECK: When I’m listening to someone else’s music I always avoid finding out the real meaning of the song because it never matches what I think it is! I think its nice for the listener to have their own discussion with themselves of what the song means before finding out what it actually means.