Songs in College Hall: Sage Purdon

Kaitlin Shaw

Hearing Aid writer, Kaitlin Shaw, interviews St. Andrews musician, Sage Purdon, ahead of their performance this Saturday night, opening for Rosie H Sullivan whose interview you can read here.

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London songwriter, Sage Purdon, transcends boundaries with their poetic and soulful lyrics. Sage is not just a musician, but a storyteller. They bring a unique energy to every stage with their captivating and humorous connection with their audience. Their songs dwell in the heart of the listener as they stem from such a personal root. Sage's involvement in the world of music does not stop at song-writing and live performances. Not only are they Head of Music for St. Andrews Radio (STAR), they also host an indie music radio show called ‘Back Chat’ on Star Radio where they delve into the heart of independent music artists that need “more appreciation.” Their voice extends beyond the microphone, into the hearts of those who wish to broaden their horizons of musical expression. Sage is a driving force for live music here at St Andrews, creating unforgettable opportunities for artists to thrive. Sage is hoping to release music on streaming platforms soon, but until then you can see them perform at Songs in College Hall Saturday January 20th right here in St. Andrews.

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This interview was edited for length and clarity

Hearing Aid: What’s your inspiration when it comes to song-writing? 

Sage Purdon: I’m inspired by the London indie music scene. I met lots of friends and had some amazing experiences. I sang karaoke with my favourite band playing behind me, Black Country New Road. I find myself uninspired by the direction of pop music today; I think that people need to look further in order to find genuine creativity. In the way of my lyrics, I’m very much inspired by Adrianne Lenker from Big Thief because of the way she plays with her words. I’m inspired by music that tells a story, and that’s something I really try to channel in my lyrics. 

HA: What made you get into song-writing to begin with? 

SP: I’ve always been passionate about poetry and creative writing. I’m also a classically trained singer. I was the kind of kid to write a diary every day and turn my feelings into poems. I realised song-writing and poetry were good outlets for that. As my music taste widened, my song-writing improved because something just clicked. I’ve recently rediscovered my love for song-writing, randomly. Probably because I’m getting more involved in the music scene here and I’m talking to artists about their processes, and making friends with them. Inspiration came out of nowhere. I have perfect pitch, too, so I have a good musical ear. I can hear stuff in my head and transcribe it, which really helps. Now that I have a guitar in my room, I can write my inspiration down easily whenever it comes to me. 

HA: Do you write your songs about specific people? 

SP: Immediately yes. Whenever I feel a specific feeling, I use songwriting as a form of journaling. I feel emotions in a very deep way, so I channel them through my songs. Some songs aren’t about real people, though. ‘Your Girl’ is about a book. I’m playing a character in the lyrics. Others are inspired by an experience, like ‘Song for Clementine’. It’s one of my favourite songs I’ve written, I wrote it after I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I was left with a feeling of emptiness, and it’s inspired by that feeling. Some songs are so personal that I don’t think I’ll ever perform them. 

HA: What’s your favourite lyric you’ve ever written?  

SP: I have two that stick out to me. One is from ‘Your Girl’, it’s inspired by Orlando, which is one of my favourite novels. Virginia Woolf writes about winter in London and the birds freezing midair because it’s so cold. I used a similar metaphor in my song. Books and literature are a big inspiration behind my lyrics. The other lyric is the beginning of ‘Taxi Cab’, it goes: “My face is green like raindrops on the surface of the sea / My limbs are stiff like drinks at bars and how you get for me”. My brain works in similes, I’m always comparing and associating things. For me, lyricism is the most important part of a song. 

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Tickets to come and see Sage perform on Saturday when she opens for Rosie H Sullivan are currently available and can be found here. I am very excited for what the future holds for Sage. They are a visionary songwriting, an engaging performer and a trailblazer in the world of music.