By BRUCE DENNILL
South African singer-songwriter Sasha Burn recently released One, a deeply personal folk-pop single accompanied by a cinematic music video that brings its heartfelt story vividly to life. Inspired by years of unspoken feelings and unanswered questions, the song was born from a place of emotional honesty and reflection.
What are the aspects of music that most appeal to or thrill you as a listener, from lyrics to arrangements to instruments used to production techniques?
What I love listening to as a listener but also a musician, is the lyrics – hearing artists tell their stories and sharing experiences through music is something that gives me goosebumps!
Are those the same things you try to recreate in your writing or performance?
It’s something I like to put into my own music – it’s my way of telling stories, be it my own or a story in my head
Which aspect of creating music comes most easily to you, and which requires the most discipline and practice?
I’d say that writing the lyrics is my favourite part of creating music, and that finding a good melody can take some time, especially when I’m matching it to lyrics. But when it clicks it’s the best feeling!
Outside of the actual music, what is, for you, the most important part of a great new release (single, album, etc)?
Getting to connect with people after a release is really awesome, and I always hope that my music can relate or help someone in some way.
Live performance: which artist has most impressed you in terms of what they deliver on stage?
I’d have to say Noah Kahan. The way he talks to the crowd and makes you feel like you’re part of something big. I’d love to have his stage presence someday!
What role does music play in your life on a day-to-day basis – listening to it, writing it, practising it, buying and selling it, performing it, etc?
Music plays a massive part in my day-to-day life! I am also a horseback archer, so I always practice and shoot to music: everything is about rhythm. I absolutely love preforming and I’m looking to doing more in the upcoming future.
What is your new/most recent release? What is the story behind it – the genesis of the song, the people involved, the muse behind its creation?
My newest release is called One. It’s about wondering, “Am I the one?” About feeling like there’s a connection with someone, but also being too afraid to risk losing it. It definitely took a bit longer to write, almost like I didn’t know who I was writing it for, until he was sitting right in front of me as I played it. Recording this song with producer Jono Greyling was incredible, and I always look forward to working with him. I love the artwork, which was created by my mom, Shelly Barron. And I’m also so grateful for the support from my friends and family.