When she isn’t dancing around her home to the most magnetic playlist on Spotify, Katie Sachs is making music for the joy of it and the potential joy others can have listening. This is what one can expect when they pop on, ‘‘The Factory of Almosts,’ out now. Wonderfully done lyrical gems that touch on a myriad of things. Things we got to talking about in this back and forth exchange that covers everything from garage sales to cover songs and then some.
Kendra: You’re a seasoned songwriter, but can you pinpoint the moment you knew you were going to make something out of it?
Katie Sachs: Whew, in many ways, I feel like I’m still waiting to “make something out of it.” The music business is HARD! I would say that over the last 10 years since I started recording there have been various stepping stones and breakthroughs that have felt important. Recording and releasing my very first EP ‘Places Not on Maps’ back in 2012 was a big first step in declaring to the world that I had something to say musically.
Though by no means my masterpiece, it was the first time I had ever invested hard money, time, and energy into my craft. Another pivotal moment was when I decided to blow up my life in Massachusetts and move to Austin, TX to pursue music full-time. This turned out not to be a viable career path for me, but I learned so much about music and songwriting and really cut my teeth being around some top-notch artists.
Releasing this album now also feels like a big achievement – in many ways it represents the culmination of all of these milestones and hard work. It is the first time I have ever worked with a publicist, which I’m learning is almost more important than actually making the thing if you want to have anyone listen to it. I guess what I’m saying is… it’s all been a journey.
Kendra: Speaking of, how do you think your songwriting has grown since 2015’s ‘The Giantness of Little Things’ to 2021’s ‘The Factory of Almosts?’
Katie Sachs: First off, thanks for going into the “deep cuts” and listening to more of my catalogue! When I started to write ‘Giantness’ it was the beginning of me fully understanding myself as someone with the identity of “musician” and I was just beginning to get my feet wet in the business.
My time in Austin, where I wrote most of the 2015 album, and actually about half of this new album, felt a lot like being in music school. I was surrounded by brilliant musicians who I got to play with and be inspired by – some of whom have actually become quite famous now! I remember hanging out around song-circle campfires with a then-unknown Adrianne Lenker and other members of Big Thief. Pure magic. I took a pretty big break from songwriting from about 2016 – 2019, but then started dating a musician and the tunes just started to flow again.
When the pandemic hit, I went through my “COVID break up” and like so many others, had the time, space, and material to create. A few songs on this new record actually came to me in a dream which had never happened before! I think another thing that has helped my songwriting develop is just doing it for a long time…at this point, I’ve been writing for over 20 years. And the older I get, the more life experience I acquire, and the more I seem to have to say about it.
Kendra: One of the songs off ‘The Factory of Almosts’ that caught my attention was “Ethel’s Garage Sale.” With that, if you had to compare the overall tone of this record to a common item found at a garage sale, what would it be and why?
Katie Sachs: Yes!! This is actually my favorite song on the album, so thank you for noticing it. Gosh, wow, what a great question that I don’t know how to answer! Maybe a can opener because it opens things up. It’s also a little rusty and sharp, but also is helpful and makes nourishment available. (Getting a little deep… a little metaphorical…) That’s what first came to mind, so I’ll go with it.
Kendra: Another song that stood out for me was “Trees” because it just took me back to being a kid and being upset I couldn’t go to Lilith Fair. It has those vibes about it. Do you think it’s time we brought it back, and would you be down to be a part of the lineup if it ever happens?
Katie Sachs: Haha, oh wow… I mean… I definitely used to love me some Sarah McLachlan! Sure! Why not! If she asked me…hell yeah. Of course.
Kendra: Listening to you and noting some of your inspirations, I was pleasantly surprised by the makeup of your “Katie’s Pandemic Dance Party in Your Home” playlist on Spotify. So many amazing hip-hop and pop hits from the ‘90s and ‘00s. Now, if we had to twist your arm and have you cover one of these delights, which would you toss on your setlist?
Katie Sachs: So glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I came of age during that time period so those songs are always what I want to listen to for nostalgia and when I want to shake my booty! They are programmed into my DNA at this point or something, lol. So much great music from that era. So much.
As for your second question, covers are kinda my jam, so no arm twisting needed! I would say it could be fun to try a version of TLC “Creep”…I LOVE TLC!
Kendra: I’d hope that cover would be in the encore and then “Tell Me I’m Good” would be the closer because it closes the record and man, does it hold you until the very last note. It’s so good and I love the idea behind it because it is one many can relate to and that is this air of self-doubt we carry around. Was writing this in any way therapeutic?
Katie Sachs: Awww, thank you so much! Yeah, I agree – validation and self-love are so, so important and we all need to feel like we are good. Like we are “enough.” No matter who we are or “what we’ve done.” I wrote this song after a special night with someone I had had a big crush on for a while and he said to me “you’re good” and then it unlocked something in me and I cried for literally like six months straight, lol. So yes, I think it was definitely part of some kind of healing process for me. I stand firmly by the message behind it. YOU ARE GOOD! I AM GOOD! WE ARE ALL GOOD!
Kendra: The album is out in September, but what’s to come after that? Do you have any dates you’re working on?
Katie Sachs: I feel like given the subject matter of the album the word “dates” could be a double entendre. I just started playing with a three-piece garage rock band here in Asheville which has been SUPER fun, and I hope to continue to do that and book some shows here and there.
I also hope the record does well and people hear it. Other than that, unless this album somehow blows up and becomes a number one hit somewhere, I just keep living my regular life! My days of national touring or trying to make money playing music are pretty much over. I don’t think folks realize how hard it is for musicians to support themselves these days. People have been trained to think that music is free, but the truth of it is that it’s really not…There are fewer and fewer ways for indie artists to earn income from their craft. Even bands with a certain level of success I imagine still have a hard time making ends meet.
I have found that the best way for me to enjoy making music is to do it when it comes easily, feels fun and I can afford to put something out, but not to put any other kind of pressure. That’s where I’m at for now, but of course, things can always change!