It’s been nearly a year since we last had a chat with Sasha McVeigh, so we thought it was about time we did. About to set out on European tour with Loveless Effect and American Young, Sasha fills us in on what she’s been up to.
EP: Hi Sasha! What have you been up to since we spoke to you last?
SM: Hey!! It’s been ages or at least it seems that way!! I’ve been great, very busy. I toured all over the US last summer, which was incredible and I did my first headline tour of the UK in September with my band.
I also went back into the studio and recorded some new material. Life has been pretty awesome!
EP: Tell us about this tour you’ve got coming up. What can we expect from it?
SM: Well it’s certainly going to be high-energy. I haven’t toured or performed in the UK since September, I’m already going stir-crazy so by the time March comes around I’m going to have tonnes of pent up energy. I’m planning debuting a couple of new songs which I’m excited about. I’m just pumped to get back on stage and back out with the fans.
EP: What do you have in the works that we should get excited about (apart from everything)? New album? New single?
SM: Not to give too much away, but I do have a single coming out which I’ve been keeping under wraps for so long. I’m so glad I can finally start talking about it and the new music I’ve been working on. We don’t have a release date yet, for the single, but it will definitely be out in time for the tour starting.
EP: Top three artists we should be looking out for right now (apart from yourself, Loveless Effect and American Young ha ha)?
SM: Ahh!! That’s such a tough question. There are so many great artists releasing debut’s at the moment. Maren Morris is amazing and so is Cam. But I’m also obsessed with Alessia Cara’s album ‘Know It All’, I can’t believe she’s only nineteen!!
EP: We’ve talked before about the current state of the music industry. But how does an artist get ahead in the industry these days? Or is that important? What is important?
SM: I think the industry is in a really interesting place right now. For a while everyone was panicking that it was being driven into the ground but there are so many talented artists out there, dropping unbelievable albums; just look at Adele and Chris Stapleton. I also think the rise of downloads and streaming vs. physical albums actually benefits independent artists. It costs a lot to get physicals produced, but a fraction of that to get your music online. Plus it’s much more effective building an online presence with social media being what it is which in turn generates bigger crowds at live shows.
I don’t think being signed to a label or “making it” (whatever that means) matters anymore and that’s a huge deal. I love being an independent artist, having control over my music and image whilst also being able to tour, do interviews and record music. It’s a blessing!
EP: Almost a year ago (last April in fact) we asked you what question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview, but nobody ever does. You told us to ask you that same question again a year later – so here we are 🙂 What’s your answer this year?
SM: Ha ha! I think it’s awesome you guys remembered that, I wondered if you would! Okay, so the question I wish I’d get asked in interviews is ‘Is it difficult pursuing your career in this industry without any big backing? Do you have any low points and how do you cope with them?’.
Not to be a downer but this is a question I wish I got asked more because the reality of this industry is sometimes there are more low points than high points especially if you’re doing this without label support or major investment. I know, as artists, we’re supposed to be positive all the time but I prefer to be real and that’s the reality.
Sometimes I’ll cry for hours because I’ve received my latest bank statement and it’s terrifying. Then the next day you’ll find out you didn’t get a festival slot you wanted because another artists has a connection that means they take precedence over you. The music industry is an atrociously expensive business. For example, you have to hire venues when you put on a tour, so I can’t just play wherever I want or wherever the fans are because I don’t have the budget to do that. Music videos cost money, it costs a fortune to record your music, then you have to get CDs made, do a photoshoot for the cover etc it just goes on and on. It’s honestly no wonder so many people have to give up on their dreams purely because they don’t have the financial capacity to keep the dream alive.
I remember when we started realising how money driven the industry was, we would research various artists who supposedly “made it” on their own, but it turns out their families were millionaires or they were related to an important figure in the industry. It can be disheartening. But, the fans keep me going. Seeing their words of support and encouragement makes me push forward, plus I just don’t want to do anything else. Music means a massive amount to me and I can’t imagine not doing it. Sometimes you just have to take a break, take a breath, and drown your sorrows in ice-cream.
Find Sasha McVeigh online on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and her website. ‘I Stand Alone’ is available to download from iTunes and Amazon, and as a signed CD from her website.Â
