Allie Sandt Wants to Move a Little Faster Now
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with folk-rock singer-songwriter Allie Sandt who recently released their sophomore single "The Right Time" which is out now on all streaming platforms.
Mustard has observed that humans love to party. Humans can throw/host a party for any occasion. Parties are an excellent way for humans to sharpen up their social skills and meet other humans. Often times at these parties humans find another human they are attracted too. What a human qualifies as attractive is unique to each. Some humans are attracted to someone for superficial reasons such as their looks. Others are attracted to a human who makes a bad joke, or burnt their bagel accidentally in the break room, or did not spoil the identity of Hannah Montana. Whatever the case may be attraction varies.
Now that they have determined that human attractive they must now determine. Do I go over to talk to them? What do I say? Are they taken? Should I wait? Is it the right time? All questions run through a human’s mind like a cheetah on cocaine. For New Jersey folk-rock singer-songwriter Allie Sandt questions like this run through their mind. On Sandt’s sophomore single The Right Time she has determined that it is the right time.
No there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to just move a little faster
Inspired by the likes of Paul Simon, Fleetwood Mac, and Steely Dan Allie Sandt puts a retro spin on new music. Before transitioning to a solo career Sandt was the primary songwriter, singer, and bassist for the now disbanded group Seeing Double. Because of their time in Seeing Double Sandt found their footing as a front-woman and has learned more about touring, making merchandise, and marketing. All this knowledge can now be seen through their solo work.
In our conversation below you will have an opportunity to learn more about Allie Sandt. Together we discuss what they consider essential listening, fishbowl discussions, fit checks, and so much more!
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them at Music Shelf. How are you doing today?
I am great, Mustard! How are you doing? Right now I am sitting on the couch answering these questions before the rest of my band arrives to go to our soundcheck in Garwood, NJ. We are just finishing up a string of shows in NY, CT, MA, and NJ and I couldn’t be happier with this first run of shows with my solo band outside of our college town/ hometowns.
2. Mustard wonders what your relationship with music was growing up?
I am lucky to have grown up in a very musical family. I learned guitar from my dad when I was 12 and when I’m not playing my own gigs, I join him and two uncles in a Jerry Garcia tribute band. While guitar is my principal instrument now besides voice, I started on piano like a lot of musicians. It’s nice when the notes are laid out in front of you.
3. Mustard has observed that you pocket tips from Paul Simon, Lizzy McAlpine, and Fleetwood Mac. What tips have you received from these artists?
I grew up listening to Paul Simon but recently re-discovered his work on “Rhythm of the Saints”. I think the importance he places on melody informs a lot of my writing now- I want as much of the song to be “hummable” as possible (not just the lyrics but the guitars, bass, and more!) I have not done the deep dive into Lizzy McAlpine’s discog yet, but I included her because her latest album draws a lot from 70s influences like I hope to. She is a CRAZY talent and I am excited to hear more! Fleetwood Mac has always been one of my favorite bands (Rumours >>> Tusk gang!) and ugh… I love it all. The acoustic guitars, the melodic bass lines, and THE HARMONIES. Mostly the harmonies. When writing for Seeing Double and even now for some of my own stuff like “The Flood” I tried to go for that big warm harmonic sound that Fleetwood Mac does so well/ invented.
4. Additionally, Mustard wonders, what album from each do you consider essential listening? How have these artists made an impact on you?
My favorite album of all time has to be “Still Crazy After All These Years” by Paul Simon. It is a no-skip album and take the time to listen to tracks like “You’re Kind” and “I’d Do It For Your Love”. Also! The demo of “Gone At Last” is unbelievable. My pick from Lizzy McAlpine would be a specific song. It’s called “Angelina” and well known among her fans. I would love to write a timeless song like “Angelina”. Finally, like I mentioned before, I’m in the Rumours club for Fleetwood Mac. Proud to say I listen to the hits.
5. Before transitioning to a solo career you were the primary songwriter, singer, and bassist for Seeing Double. Could you share more about your time with Seeing Double?
Absolutely! I started Seeing Double in Spring 2021 with my friend Mike Aaron while the band was up at SUNY Oneonta for our freshman year of college, and we had a lucky moment when our first single went viral on TikTok. That kicked off opportunities to play shows outside of our small town and we quickly learned by trial and error how to be an independent band and be in college at the same time. I loved playing with S.D. and it helped me find my footing as a front-woman and on the business side of music too! Now that I’ve ramped up touring, making merch, marketing, etc. for my solo stuff, I have my time in S.D. to thank for everything I learned along the way.
6. Who (or what) inspires you both creatively and personally?
The upstate NY house show scene! I just graduated from college but during my time at SUNY Oneonta I was heavily involved in my college town’s underground scene as well as making trips to Syracuse, New Paltz, and Binghamton NY to play various basement gigs. Seeing how hard working the bands were, how involved and excited the audience was, and the way students ran semi-professional concert venues out of their houses was endlessly inspiring. There is so much passion there that has pushed me to work harder at my own stage presence and songwriting.
7. Mustard is curious: what are some key elements to an Allie Sandt song? What is your creative process?
Oooh. Harmonies are probably number 1. I am almost always sketching out the vocal harmonies for new songs before anything else is finished. It feels more natural to get those down by humming out melodies before finishing up lyrics. Lately I’ve been into odd time signatures, open D tuning, and writing riffs/more involved guitar parts for my songs. I’m not a very prolific songwriter and it definitely takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to finish just one track, but my process of late has been just humming in the car until something sticks, then pulling out the voice memos app on my phone. Later, I try to come up with some cool guitar melody to go under the vocals.
For lyrics, I usually draw inspiration from books or journaling. I read a great book called “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert that helped me during a long Writer’s Block once!
8. You've been pretty active on social media platforms such as TikTok. Do you like to plan your TikTok's ahead of time or do they just happen naturally? What are your thoughts on content creation within the music industry?
Oh man. I do NOT plan my TikToks out. I have been making a lot of videos a day for the release of The Right Time but I tend to post them right away and come up with them on the spot. I heard that posting at the same time every day is helpful, but that’s as far as my planning goes. I participate a lot in TikTok because it is the best way right now to get more people listening and coming to shows, but I am not an advocate for short-form video content and instant gratification as a concept. I have a pull between posting videos all the time and not wanting to add to the negative effects of short content. I love how so many small artists have an outlet and direct communication with fans, but it can definitely get overwhelming to be constantly pumping out videos.
9. You were featured as a part of 47Magazine's "Fit Check Fridays." Could you share more about this collaboration?
Yes! They reached out to me via DM and asked if I would participate in a Fit Check Friday as a way to share my music with more people. I love how supportive they are of smaller artists and I thought it was a cool way to share a little part of my personality outside of the songs. Everything I wore for 47Mag were “show fits” too which combined fashion and music for me.
10. As a condiment Mustard wonders: what is a fit check? Do all humans check their fit?
Haha! Yes, Mustard, a fit check is a way to show off your outfit of the day or OOTD. My OOTDs are usually a bit more toned down than what I did for 47Mag but it was fun to check my fits that day!
11. One playlist your music can be found on is "panera bread 2009." Would you say this playlist accurately represents your music? What does Allie Sandt order from Panera Bread?
You know, I think that does make sense. I’ve been getting some feedback on TikTok that the two songs I have out would be great in a cafe setting. I think it’s the laid-back sound, especially on The Right Time that just makes you want to curl up with a coffee and a book. I love that people are curating their own Panera Bread playlists and I’m happy to be a part of it! My Panera order is a soup and sandwich- I get half of a Chipotle Chicken sammie and a broccoli cheddar soup- with a lemonade too!
12. Earlier this year you released "The Flood" which was originally written in 2019. You worked with over 20 different musicians throughout the process of this song. Did a specific event in 2019 inspire this single?
Hehe I don’t like talking about the specifics a ton, but it played off something I wrote my junior year in high school about how love needs a little rain (or hardship) to grow. But when there’s too much, it floods everything and washes away the good of what might have been there in the first place.
13. This release marked a new chapter in your music career. How does The Flood represent Allie Sandt?
The Flood song represents me as a 16/17 year old and the recording/production represents me now! I wrote this song about 5 years ago and it felt very full circle to release it as my first single. I put so much time and effort into every step of the production that it has a very different sound than when I first wrote it which represents the part of me now.
14. The album art features you looking inside a fishbowl. Do you have a favorite type of fish?
To see, koi. To eat, tuna.
15. Humans sometimes like to partake in a "fishbowl" discussion. If Allie Sandt could partake in a fishbowl discussion about any topic what would it be and why?
Ooooo. I’d be interested to talk about the effects of cancel culture. My band I and I got into a lengthy talk about this while we were on the road in the past week and I think it would make for an interesting fishbowl discussion. How did social media create a cancel culture? Who coined the term cancel culture? When was it at its peak? Would cancel culture happen without social media? How does it affect anxiety online? Etc etc etc.
16. Mustard would like to wish you congratulations on your newest single "The Right Time." Could you share more about your newest release?
Thank you! I feel like The Right Time leans more into the direction of what I want to write in the future. I am so happy with the instrumental of this song and the detail that each musician etched into their parts. Shouting out Teddy Holly (lead guitar), Logan Slansky (organ), Dylan Travison (drums), and my dad on the guiro! This song is so much fun to play live as well because it’s sassy as hell and that’s always a good time on stage.
17. The likes of Fiona Apple, Norah Jones, and Steely Dan inspired this single. Did a specific song by each inspire The Right Time?
Yes absolutely! I wanted The Right Time to have the energy of “First Taste” by Fiona Apple, the warmth of “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones” and the groove of “Do It Again” by Steely Dan. I was in a GIGANTIC Steely Dan phase when I wrote this tune in 2020/2021.
18. Mustard found themselves feeling very groovy while listening to The Right Time. Was this intended? Does Allie Sandt get/feel groovy?
Oh I love to get groovy. Come to a live show and see for yourself! I have to take this chance to shoutout my awesome live band who I’ve been playing some shows with this past month. Mia Abazis (drums), Teddy Holly (guitar) and Jedd Kronberg (bass) have made every moment FUN from waking up in a horrible motel I booked without reading reviews to being on stage in front of anywhere from 7 to 70 people. They have made playing live so much fun this summer and definitely got groovy!
19. Someone invites their friend to see Allie Sandt perform. What four words best describe your live shows?
Candid. Expressive. Big. Whimsical!
20. What is on the horizon for Allie Sandt?
So many more songs. I have a lot in the bank and I’ll be rolling out more this fall! Also plenty of live shows throughout the northeast and eventually further than that (we hope!)
21. Where can readers listen to your music?
Everywhere! Here’s a link to my music and media. https://linktr.ee/alliesandt
Talking in the aisle
is this your first introduction to Allie Sandt?
have you ever participated in a fishbowl discussion?
what are your grooviest dance moves?
Music Shelf with Mustard is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 32 states and 19 countries. Check out previous interviews here.
Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in early 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.
just checked out allie's latest single and loved loved it