Singer/Songwriter Sage Ray Drops Heart-on-Sleeve New Single “She’s Worth It” — Black Panda PR Press Release

Hi Sage, welcome to VENTS! How have you been? Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Goodbye Stage”?

Hey! Thanks for reaching out. I’ve been thriving! Would love to go deeper explaining the process and heart behind Goodbye Stage. 

Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?

The event that sparked me writing this song was an actual dream I had immediately after visiting my long distance now-ex-girlfriend that made it clear that we were not going to last much longer. 

Any plans to release any sort of video for the track?

I don’t have any plans to make an accompanying video unless the song itself sees notable success and it’s viable to do so or I feel particularly inspired story-wise. I do think visual storytelling is just as important so I’d want to be as purposeful with it as I am with my music.

How was the recording and writing process?

This song took the longest to produce and write out of all my releases. It was the first time I saw a project through to completion even after emotionally moving on from the subject matter. I normally am in the middle of processing something when I write a song in a matter of a few days. It was also my first time releasing a collaboration. The guitar part was the first thing I laid down and immediately knew Shelton Taylor was the perfect guy to ask to feature on it because this sonic quality and the themes were right up his ally. I had met him through some mutual friends and saw him super frequently after since he busks around the area quite often especially in the summer. We became super close. I’m glad we got to create something dope together. 

Most won’t care for this but a sonic element I was particularly excited to experiment with was the acoustic drums. It may be hard to tell but they’re actually not recorded live but programmed samples. I was inspired by people like Tame Impala, EDEN, and Jeremy Zucker to make a piece with super crushed/distorted rock drum elements. When I heard them in context for the first time I think I screamed.

What role does Huntington Beach play in your music?

Huntington Beach played a couple specific roles in writing the song. The relationship the song is based on was long distance and so I was in Huntington Beach whereas she was in Nashville TN. It’s also the place I returned to after quarantining with my family in Charlotte NC. When I came back I was met with a 10-page letter my ex had written me which gave a lot of closure. In the lyrics I make it clear that this song is the only response to that letter I really feel lead to make.

Does the new single mean we can expect a new material – how’s that coming along?

You can definitely expect new material from me. I made a promise to myself that I would release 12 singles in a year which was an endeavor I started in July 2020. 

Any tentative release date or title in mind?

My next single “She’s Worth It” is set to release January 22nd.

What other aspect of love and loss will you get to explore on this new material?

I think it’s the most beautiful song I’ve ever made lyrically and sonically. It’s a piece on settling in oneself to love someone unconditionally even when it’s clear that they’re broken and that the relationship may even be hard to fight for. In a way, it’s me challenging the current culture which preaches that we need to look out for ourselves, only investing in relationships as long as there’s a clear return. It says you’re supposed to leave when it’s no longer convenient to stay. My response to that word view is that real love is laying your life down for others. Forgive, assume the best, choose to see the gold, bear with peoples faults, latch onto hope. Committing and persisting through something some would say was hopeless was one of the most beautiful and vulnerable experiences I ever had and I’d never trade it. 

What else is happening next in Sage Ray’s world?

Lots of transition happening going into 2021. New house in West Hollywood, new studio, new friends, new inspirations. It’s all going to result in these next 8 singles which will very likely follow a mixtape by the summer.