Photo Credit: Bendrix Littleton

For a long time, Sara Bug was deep in the fashion realm in New York City. She admits that there were a lot of parallels, but that it was the marketing side of things that she pulled from most when she headed south. We talked about the move to Nashville, growing as a songwriter, her self-titled Egghunt Records debut out May 14th, and more in this back and forth exchange.

Kendra: For a myriad of reasons, you left fashion and New York City and moved back south to Nashville, which is what sort of sparked your latest, “Lotta Pride.” That was a handful of years ago when you started to pen this track. Today, is this more of a song you can say you’re proud of and play, or do you find yourself perhaps slipping in and out of what you were feeling at that time when you were packing?

Sara Bug: A little bit of both I guess. but the hits keep comin’ so there are times that I still really feel the same confusion again.

Kendra: Overall you said your debut LP represents getting over the expectations you had when you were younger and embracing your creative freedom. When I read that, I was taken aback because this is my issue. I was constantly one of the smartest and everyone thought – Kendra’s going to fucking slay when she leaves this small town. Yeah, no. That did not happen. I went in the complete opposite direction towards writing and riding the struggle bus. So perhaps to help those out there in this boat, what advice can you give? What helped push you towards that freedom to let go of what you thought life was supposed to be?

Sara Bug: I’m really still learning how to do this. I guess I’d just say to do your honest best at everything you do. Past that just trust the plan of God/the ether.

Kendra: So unlike so many artists I’ve been talking to this year, your album wasn’t inspired by the lockdowns. You started writing these songs several years ago. How many iterations did “Die With You” go through before it was said and done?

Sara Bug: When “Die with You” first came about, my band and I were playing it as a precious little country/folk song. I miss that version. We only recorded it once though and we kept it. That’s the way it is on the record. It came out different than I planned but it still hits so we kept it.

Kendra: How do you feel you’ve grown as an artist when you compare that song with “The Beholder?”

Sara Bug: I think the only difference really now is that I feel more excited and confident to try new things.

Kendra: A lot of your artistry and lyricism is inspired by the queen herself, Dolly Parton. What about her way with words ignites something in you?

Sara Bug: Everything. I guess all country music does that for me though. Nothing fancy, just singing about everyday life.

Kendra: It’s getting a little easier with the vaccine rollouts, but it’s still kind of hard to have a definite answer when it comes to future plans given the current state of everything, but as far as what you can control when it comes to your career and creativity – what do you have planned in the coming months for yourself?

Sara Bug: I got a lot cooking in Nashville. Not just music stuff. I’m honestly just living my life. and I know the uproar will settle down eventually so I’m not really concerned with future plans at this point.