Rising, Nashville-based singer-songwriter and producer Sawyer Utah continues to refine his indie-pop signature with his latest single “Where Do U Go.”
A nostalgic pop offering that weaves hypnotic soundscapes, soaring vocals and dreamy lyrics to offer up an upbeat yet earnest musical experience, the track is laden with tinges of heart-on-sleeve introspection.
Unveiling his steady sonic evolution, Utah, who released debut EP WHEREVER U ARE earlier this year, continues to craft music that feels intimate yet resonates far and wide with each note. Striking a delicate, creative balance between creating music for others and building an authentic musical identity for himself, Utah continues to carve out a space for himself as a powerful force in the indie pop landscape.
In conversation with Charted, Utah delves into his new release, recent live performances, and how his music has evolved over time, among much more.
What’s the message/inspiration behind your single “WHERE DO U GO”? The day I made this song, I remember wanting to make something upbeat and fun. I had this idea that I wanted to hash out lyrically – I was thinking about whenever you’re interested and/or dating someone, and you think every time you head back home from spending time with them, where do they go when you leave? It’s a song for the over-thinkers, always second-guessing if they still are wanting you in their life!
You recently had a performance at Musicians Corner in Centennial Park. What was that experience like? It was such a fun performance – it was my first time performing some of the new music and especially performing it outdoors was a blast. There’s something super special about a summer festival-type atmosphere for live music!
Along the same lines, besides getting to engage with audiences, what’s your favourite part of live performances? Figuring out how to portray these songs in a live format and adding or tweaking certain elements is really enjoyable to me. Seeing the live reaction when people already know the lyrics, or even are getting excited by hearing my music for the first time – it’s all really special and makes it so worth it.
You’ve been making music since a young age . How has your sound evolved over time and where do you see it going from here? I think it has gotten more mature and relatable since I first started. I think I’ve lived more life and experienced things that make me able to relate more to people on a lyrical level, too. My sound has definitely gotten truer and truer to who I am as a human being, and the sounds I hear in my brain before I make the songs are coming out more streamlined. I have much more of a clear idea of what my next songs will sound like before I start making them now, which can be endlessly inspiring. I see it being more and more a real representation of me and how I take in the human experience!
How do you strike a balance between creating for other artists and building your own musical persona? What’s the biggest challenge of this and what’s most rewarding about it? It is a daily thing I think about – and truly can never be perfected, but it feels like a natural flow. I think it helps that I have a clear picture of what my project sounds and looks like, so when I go into a studio working with other artists, I can truly detach and make the best thing possible. The biggest challenge for me is time management – I wish there was 30 hours in a day so I could do even more of all these aspects! But what is most rewarding is seeing the reach and impact of the songs I create with my incredibly talented artist friends. That’s why I do what I do…there are so many stories to be told other than just mine.
What’s been the most surreal moment of your career so far? What first comes to mind is a recent show that I played with Zach Hood at the Ryman Auditorium. It was a dream show at a legendary venue that we will never forget. Driving down from our house in Nashville to play at the Ryman was truly a surreal experience. I remember in soundcheck we just looked at each other while our guitars and vocals were coming through the speakers, like “oh ma goodness we’re doin’ this.”
What are your goals for the future and what can we expect in terms of new releases? One of my goals is to continue to grow the reach and impact I have on people’s lives through the music created. Whether it be through live shows or through the internet, the messages and stories I receive will always inspire me to keep doing what I’m doing. Expect more coming very soon, summer is just getting started over here!!
Finally, how would you describe your sound in three words? Nostalgic, dreamy, hypnotic.
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