Sarah Wolfe on Love, Girl Power and Tom Williams
Having spent the last three years working as a video presenter at an Australian music media publication, Sarah Wolfe has been constantly surrounded by the narratives and stories of some of the world’s biggest artists, including Troye Sivan, Vance Joy, Fall Out Boy, TheVamps, Montaigne, Matt Corby, Lauv, and more. However, it is now time to tell her own through “Devil U Know”, collaboratively written and produced by Xavier Dunn (Jack River, CXLOE, GRAACE, Carmada, Peking Duk).
Sensual, all-encompassing, and with a gorgeous glossy sheen, “Devil U Know” is Sarah Wolfe’s debut single. The track embraces a classic upbeat pop sound that is brought to life by sensational synths, ringing vocals, and heartfelt lyrics, capturing the trials and tribulations that often surface during the early stages of a burgeoning love.
We were lucky enough to get to chat to Sarah about her new single, the experience of writing and producing it with her gorgeous real-life partner, and the importance of keeping a team of powerful women around her. Girl power!!
What’s the story behind your newly released single/what inspired the writing process?
I got to write ‘Devil U Know’ with my partner Xavier Dunn in the first few weeks of us dating, so we thought ‘what better than to just write it about that’! It’s centres around the fear but excitement you feel when you are getting to know someone you are starting to have strong feelings for, but don’t quite know what to say to them yet.
What is your writing and recording process like?
For me, I find it the easiest to start with lyrics. They are what always draw me into a song the most, so when I first started out writing music that was what logically made sense to me. Once I loosely have my words written out, I start shifting it into a melody and go from there!
How do you find creating music with your partner? Does working with your partner make it easier to be vulnerable and honest, or more difficult?
It was actually a super cool bonding experience, but also a very intense way to get to know someone haha. I’m lucky it worked out for the better, and it is probably what made us so close so quickly. Xav is one of the most supportive people I know, and he has been truly amazing from the very start of us writing this song to throughout the release and beyond.
You previously worked as a video presenter, so you’ve been in front of the camera before, but did it feel like a natural progression to film a music video?
A lot of the videos I filmed were artist interviews, so I never wanted the attention to be on me haha! Going in to filming this and being the person at the centre was super strange, but I think I did alright? I will let you be the judge when it comes out on September 12!
You have collaborated with up and coming visual artist Georgia Moloney on your photos for this project, and have a mostly female team behind the scenes. Do you think it’s important for artists to give women more opportunities in the music industry by having a diverse team around them?
Isn’t she incredible!? I was so blessed to work with her at my previous job, and I couldn’t have picked a better person to work with me on my photos and single artwork. Every time I suggested something or sent over a mood board she was super excited and on board and completely nailed the vision!
I can’t speak for everyone, but I know for me personally I really enjoy and get a lot out of working with other women. The people on my team, men and women, inspire me so much and have helped me grow beyond what I could ever imagine, and having a range of people to help with all my silly questions was incredible.
Women often get branded in the music industry as being ‘fangirls’ or ‘over excited’, but why would I want anyone on my team who wasn’t passionate about art and the industry they get to work in.
Where did the inspiration for the soft, pastel aesthetic of ‘Sarah Wolfe’ come from?
My favourite visual artist in the world is Norman Lindsay. My mum is a printmaker, so ever since I was little she would take me around to hundreds of galleries, but Lindsay’s gallery in the Blue Mountains was the one that I connected with the most. His paintings are so ethereal and otherworldly, so I think my inspiration was just wanting my world to look like a Lindsay painting:
What has working in media taught you about being a musician? Do you have any advice for those starting out in the music industry?
My best advice would be that no question is a silly question. This industry is so confusing and I still don’t understand most of it, so having a few people you can turn to when you are lost is so important.
Have you always aspired to be an artist/has music always called to you? What were your career aspirations as a child?
When I was little I was OBSESSED with rocks and crystals, and I really wanted to be a geologist haha.
My love for music probably started when I convinced my mum to let me get guitar lessons when I was 9, and after a few years my teacher strongly hinted that maybe I should start singing instead… what I lacked in guitar skills I (hopefully) made up for in singing. I then went on to study music at uni, and couldn’t imagine doing anything else now.
If you could describe your new single by comparing it to a dessert, what would it be and why?
CRÈME BRULEE! It’s deceptively a little tough to crack on the outside, but on the inside it is super gooey.
Okay, confession time - did you have a weird or embarrassing celebrity obsession when you were younger? Who were the posters on your walls?
I used to LOVE Dancing With The Stars when I was in primary school, and my first ever celebrity crush was Tom Williams (yes, of The Great Outdoors fame). Oh, and most of the posters on my wall were of Jacob from Twilight which still stands up as the greatest book series of all time don’t @ me.
What recent releases are you currently loving?
I’m listening to a truly disgusting amount of new music at the moment and loving ALL of it, so I made a cute little playlist to house it all <3
Fans of “Devil U Know” should keep their eyes peeled for a music video, coming September 12th! In the meantime, check out this adorable behind the scenes video.
Words and Interview by Lara Jones
