Rachael Sage's brief stint with a married man sounds like a blueprint for a bad country song – or a pissy Alanis rock rant. But, nope, the angelic-voiced pianist, whose latest self-produced album drops June 10, employs a fast-paced fusion of crashing drums, strings and piano – and when she sings "I should've run fast, before you led me on" you can't help but wanna give this guy a peace of your mind. Sage, though, does a pretty damn good job of that herself.
'Vertigo' was written about a relationship you were in with someone who was married. There was obviously, and for good reason, anger there. How easy was it to channel your pissy attitude into the song?
Well, I certainly would not call it a 'relationship'; but I did date someone for several weeks, and fall for him pretty quickly – and, yes, he turned out to be married. I didn't have sex with him, but I would've, eventually. That song came in about 10 minutes, so I guess it was pretty easy. I wasn't pissed, so much as torn, when I wrote it. I was still trying to decide if there was any way I could even continue to be friends with this person, and ultimately my answer was a resounding no.
What's your plan to prevent that from happening again?
Well, I'm currently in a very satisfying, positive relationship, so I'm not feeling too hung up about it (laughs). But I think a good plan might be simply to ask, and never presume!
You're often compared to Tori Amos and Ani Difranco, how do you feel about such comparisons?
I'm kind of ambivalent about them honestly. I do what I do; I always have. They are both incredibly powerful performers and wonderful musicians so it's certainly flattering, but I've been writing songs since I was 5 and making records since my teens, well before I'd heard of either one. So from my personal perspective, I think the comparisons are mostly a product of the fact that they've 'made it big' versus anything substantive, as far as musical influence.
You wrote 'Moonlight & Fireflies' at a Michigan festival. Was it the Michigan Womyns Festival? How did being at that festival inspire you to write this song?
Actually, I wrote it at the Traverse City Film Festival, where I was invited to perform as a musical guest, prior to several film screenings. I was there with my ex-girlfriend and it was a pretty intense experience. It was the first time we'd ever traveled together while we were both working (she's a musician also and was performing at the event as well), and it was a challenge on many levels. I had just learned that a very close friend was suffering from a severe depression and was a bit consumed by that, and of course we were both also there to schmooze, try to meet directors and so forth, to place our music in films. … She was pulled away back home to a funeral for a family friend by the end of that trip while I was left alone for the rest of my time in Michigan. All throughout, I was very distressed about my friend, which was difficult to share with her since we both discovered we had very different views about mental illness, addiction and so forth. So in a way the song captures a rare moment of peace and appreciation of a love that I think I knew in my heart was coming to an end, and did, soon after what was kind of an intense trip together.
Right now, do you find yourself gravitating more toward the guys or the gals? Why?
I have a boyfriend right now; as to why, I think only God has that answer. And I don't like to ask too many questions when things are actually working, since my longest relationships so far have only ever lasted a year and a half, roughly. However, my guess is that it's because he's a really interesting, intelligent person, and hasn't gotten fed up even though I'm only home a few days a month! He's definitely has a very strong feminine side, though he might not appreciate that I'm making that observation (laughs).
I definitely am still attracted to women all the time though, as I can only assume he is probably too; but I'm monogamous so I'm not gonna do anything about it, other than channel it 'into the work' (laughs). And I certainly expect the same from him!
Rachael Sage with the Sequins and Ellery
8 p.m. June 9
The Ark, Ann Arbor
