Look What Sarah Katherine is Learning!
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with multi-talented New York independent artist Sarah Katherine about theatre, finding their objective, and so much more.
Mustard has overheard that all the world is stage. If this is to be true, all of us are performers seeking an Actor’s Guild membership or billing on our favorite concert festival. Humans on social media create their ideal lineup to headline Coachella, The Governors Ball, or The Glastonbury Festival. They work on manifesting that into reality. Perhaps a booking agent will come across it and network it into existence. It is true that actors are known for gracing the stage both on and off Broadway but so are other creative professionals. Creative professionals such as musicians. Musicians, like actors, need to memorize their lines, run through rehearsal, and do a soundcheck before the curtains open. If the world is indeed a stage, the stage needs a soundtrack that will energize and captivate both the performers and audience. Thankfully the stage is full of passionate musicians ready to set off the fire alarm. Your sweat from enjoying their set will extinguish the flames. When the fire department arrives, tell them: it already has been handled.
There is an artist on this stage who has been surrounded by pretty men and lots of trouble. Trouble though they can get themselves out of. While others may feel five feet under about how to escape this trouble; they are dating the man you love.
Sarah Katherine, of New York, is a multi-talented artist. Katherine can do it all: act, capture the human condition through photographs, and further explore what it is like to be a human through music. For Sarah, music requires authenticity. There is no Public Relations firm manipulating their thoughts and images. Authenticity for Sarah leads to truth and healing as you can hear in their music. This authenticity can be experienced on her newest EP: “Look What I’m Learning!” and other work in their discography.
Actors are often asked to find their objective. This is no easy task as it requires you to look within that character you are playing. How this happens is all dependent on the human playing the role. There is no right or wrong to do this. Katherine has found their objective: they want to become more selfish. Their goal is to take care and focus on themselves. Mustard cannot commend Sarah Katherine enough. Please allow yourself the opportunity to care for yourself. They have observed that the human mind and body will appreciate it so much.
That is not everything about Sarah Katherine though. There is so much more to discover about them. In our interview, which you can read down below, will help you get to know Sarah Katherine even more.
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them at Music Shelf. How are you doing today?
I am feeling pretty happy and excited at the moment. I have been able to write a bit more recently and be more creative, so that always puts me in a better mood.
2. Mustard has observed you are an indie folk rock artist in New York City. How would you folkify New York Cittaayyyy?
mmm well folk music is about sounds, songs and stories traveling from generation to generation…so it would be crazy if every person living in nyc had to write a lil song that encapsulated their time here once they left and live in an archive somewhere. That could be a god damn museum…a musical version of “Goodbye to All That” (Joan Didion’s essay). what a way to get to know other peoples who have a collective experience of the city in some way shape or form. Not quite sure if that was the answer you were looking for haha.
3. You have been songwriting ever since you were little. How has songwriting helped process what is in your head?
Songwriting has always felt like this thing my mind and body need to do to get a grasp on what I am going through, or thinking about at any given moment. My lowest points always have songs that eventually get me out of some hole, or make me see things differently in a necessary sorta way to move forward. Music to me requires authenticity. It’s healing in that way. I can’t really lie when i am writing or else it usually is a bad song haha.
4. Who (or what) influences Sarah Katherine Lawless?
Some artists that influence me musically: Madison Cunningham, Julia Jacklin, Rufus Wainwright, Phoebe Bridgers, Radiohead, Queen and haha i’ll stop there. The reason I mention all of them is because there’s range in there, sonically. On a larger scale I think art (in every medium) and connection influences everything I do. Art is incredibly powerful and important, especially in our world today, and connection - well I feel like I wouldn't feel fulfilled if I wasn't able to connect with someone or something on a deeper level. Oh! Also curiosity, I always want to know more or get different perspectives on things. I think that’s important.
5. In addition to being a musician you are also an actress and photographer. Could you share more about your creative process? Is there any overlap between these?
As a musician - I typically come from a very spontaneous place, almost stream of consciousness-like, which is similar to my creative process as a photographer. But, I think there’s much more preparation in the process as an actor + photographer. I like to be super prepared and curious as an actor/photographer. It allows me to be more explorative when I get to the stage or shoot. When it comes to music, I think I write my best when all the prep and sense of knowing is gone. When I write a song it feels like a flow state, sort of pouring out uncontrollably. Raw and real. That happens with acting, but with that it takes rehearsals and detail work to truly embody a character. With music the true work is living and figuring shit out to then be able to be. One last thing that rings true, is I am always thinking of the big picture. My mind can never stop once it should, I am always going further and thinking about things larger than myself, in everything I do.
6. Chad Kroger from Nickleback is interested in your photography. What photos do you show them from your portfolio?
I would show them one of the shoots I did in a skate park or from some tile bathroom shoots to get them initially interested. Those match that rock vibe, but would also show them my flash and natural light range. I would do this because if I did a shoot with them I would want to do something more crazy. Imagine - nickelback in a bath of nickles. There’s so much to play with there. Nickelback taking a nickel bath. HAHA. But seriously, I would want to get a bit on the nose with it since I think it would be captivating, yet striking. But, I also have some cool long exposure concert photography that would maybe tickle their fancy.
7. Actors are asked to seek their objective within a scene. What do you consider your personal and creative objective?
Wow damn. I have been thinking a lot about this recently because I'm at that point in my twenties where goals are on the brain. My personal objective these days is to be a bit more selfish actually. When I first came to New York I was so excited to work with other people to be a part of something, to learn and take it all in. I worked with some incredible people building their creative visions. I will always love doing that, but I think I realized that I forgot about myself. So, I am trying to take care and focus on myself. To try and be the best version of me that I can be and really look within, which sounds incredibly cheesy haha. Um but, creatively, I think my objective is artistic collaboration right now. I really want to meet more creatives and work with different musicians, artists, etc. When many creative minds come together unexpected treasures surface and there’s nothing like it.
8. You've been in productions such as Shrek, CATS, Titus Andronicus, and Cabaret. How do you prepare for a role? Do you have a favorite production you have been in?
I love that you are asking about theatre stuff because that was so much of my life for so long. When it comes to role prep, I try to immerse myself in that character's mind: what are they eating for breakfast, what music do they listen to, how do they walk through the world? Things like that to flesh out who this person is. I limit myself though, because at the end of the day I want to be as present as possible. So, I really try to take in the room and the other actors to remain affected and grounded. It’s all reactive, as it should be.
My favorite production was Cabaret. Not only is that an incredible show, but that was my first main stage at Boston Conservatory. I met so many amazing people during that production and those are some of my favorite performing moments ever I think.
9. Tech week. What are your thoughts?
There's nothing like being on the stage for the first time watching everything come together before your eyes. While it comes with its stresses, i am usually incredibly eager to do the damn thing.
10. Mustard wonders how it felt to have your original piece "Hurry Home: A Collaborative Experience" chosen for the 2022 New York Theatre Festival? Could you share more about this original piece?
Hurry Home is near and dear to my heart! It started at Berklee with my friend Sierra Lancaster, we were in a creative entrepreneurship class and finding ways to make art that was breaking boundaries. I had had an idea of a concept album going for a while about this person named Holly and through brainstorms, improvisation and devising that ultimately manifested itself as a musical that happened before your eyes. The idea is that you have a playwright, a singer-songwriter, actor(s), dancer, and a musician and then the cycle begins. As the songs play, the playwright is required to write monologues in live time about what they are hearing. This is passed off to the actors and then as it is being said the dancers and the musicians are affected as well. and Then it repeats. (I hope that makes sense). I have many ideas and dreams for this piece so hopefully it resurfaces.
11. Another original piece of yours is the pop-rock musical "The Night Before." What was it like to put this musical together and eventually star in it?
A true whirlwind! One of my best friends, Amanda Hampton, and I worked on this for what I think was a year and some change. I had always wanted to write a musical so when we got the opportunity to produce it and star in it - we kinda struck gold. It's an experience unlike any other and that’s when I knew I would want to incorporate more of my songwriting into more aspects of my creative life.
12. 2020 saw the release of your debut single "hey (i'm dating the man you love.)" Was this single inspired or influenced by actual events?
oof yes Mustard. In a way it is. I actually went into the full story on a podcast called “Heartbreak Inn” with Brandi Campbell (which you can find on spotify), so for the full story you can check that out!
13. What are some signs you may be around pretty men and lots of trouble?
You only really know after the fact haha. It takes a while to figure out what you really want and sometimes you need to try a bunch of different things to know what you don’t want. I think that’s the main point of the song. You only see that after a lot of reflection though and sometimes it’s too late, but you’re better for it nonetheless.
14. Mustard loves your rendition of "grandma got ran over by a reindeer." Was this one of your favorite Christmas songs growing up?
Thank you so much:-) It is definitely one of my favorites. I love how funny it is. There is a side of me that adores the campy, ironic, dramatic things in life and “grandma got runover by a reindeer” hits the spot.
15. Mustard would like to wish you congratulations on your debut EP "Look What I'm Learning!" Could you share what it was like to put this EP together?
AH thank you so so much! It was a rollercoaster. Making music can be expensive so it took a while for it to really come together. But I have to thank the main producer on this project Ben Coleman (and Goose Room who worked on “counting sheep”) because getting the chance to finally release an EP was one of my biggest dreams. I had been sitting on so much music and just desperate to find the right person to make it sound like me. Ben did exactly that. I felt like I was really able to find my sound. It taught me a lot. The whole EP is about life and the things you learn along the way. The ups and downs. So I couldn’t have asked for a better debut EP<3
16. They are curious if it makes sense now?
It sure as hell does, at least when it comes to that song, haha. With time comes clarity. thank god.
17. Mustard is a big fan of listening to records from start to end. Could you share more about how you structured Look What I'm Learning!?
The structure of the EP, to me, feels like how my mind runs rampant about difficult shit. i get aggravated (make it makes sense), then i get annoyed and a bit desperate for change (good lord! i”m trying!), then i get doubtful (counting sheep) and then everything becomes a bit more clear, more matter-of-fact and i have a moment to realize the how grateful i am (god you get me). plus, it’s all the things i have learned in this time in my life. making sense of everything (or trying to.
18. What is on the horizon for Sarah Katherine Lawless?
I have been working on a music video for “good lord! i’m trying!” for the last few months and am planning to premiere that by the end of the summer. I also have a show coming up at Arlene’s Grocery on July 30th at 8 PM. and lastly i have been working on some new music, which will hopefully release at some point next year! For updates you can follow @sarahkatherinelawless or join newsletter which can be found on my website www.sarahkatherinelawless.com
19. Where can readers listen to your music?
My debut EP, “Look What I’m Learning!” is available on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music, etc. I also post on TikTok: @sarahkatherinelawless
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.