Having spent the last few years releasing flurry of fresh and exciting singles, London-based singer, songwriter and producer Sarah Carton recently returned with her latest uplifting gem 'Beautiful Boy'.
Channelling the same broad and atmospheric direction as The xx, 'Beautiful Boy' makes for a wonderfully rich and captivating return. Filled with smooth textures, adventurous production, and her own glittering voice at the helm, it feels like she reaching the zenith of her musical ambition on this stunning new release.
So with the new single out and about, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Piano. I had lessons for a few years as a kid, but had to stop when they asked me to sight read for an exam and figured out I’d just been learning the songs by ear. I still can’t really read music, but I love to play and compose on keys.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
Really depressing indie music was my go-to. I loved Tegan and Sara and some more electronic stuff like Purity Ring and Grimes. I remember discovering LimeWire to download music and that completely opened up my music tastes, I was obsessed with finding weird alternative stuff.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
‘Don’t Delete the Kisses’ by Wolf Alice. That song got me through a whole year.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
If I get a melody in my head, I’ll get my phone out and start recording. I do a few takes playing around with the melody with random words and sounds. Also, when I’m emotional or anxious about something, I sometimes freely write poetry and mind dump in notes on my phone. These usually end up as lyrics.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I love the new Ben Howard stuff. Then some new Arlo Parks, Biig Piig and Connie Constance. I’ve also been going back and listening to Lykke Li’s ‘Youth Novels’ album this week, which is one of my favourites.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Every song... I don’t think I could write a track if there wasn’t truth to it, or if it was at least inspired by real people and experiences.
What has been the funniest or most unusual moment in your career so far?
Probably the music video shoot for ‘Beautiful Boy’. We wanted to get shots of me drenched in water in the street at the end, so ended up with my mate pouring bottles of water over my head in the road at around 5am while people were heading out on their morning runs. Was cold. We looked weird.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Biiiig question. Probably FKA Twigs as her live shows are mind blowing and I love her.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I’ve been thinking about taking up pottery as a side hustle recently. So, maybe a potter? I love live theatre also and make some shows with a group of very talented women, so I’d probably pursue that more, and acting.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Think it’s just to back yourself and not let other people’s opinions affect your creativity. Music is tough because you put so much of yourself into it, so it’s hard not to absorb any criticism and take things personally. I’m just trying to have fun and not worry what other people think. As long as I love creating songs, I’ll keep making them. A very wise mentor once said to me when I was doubting myself, ‘be bold, confidence works’.
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Sarah Carton's new single 'Beautiful Boy' is available to stream and download now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.