Sage Words and Music

Being a blogger and creating this community at Beautiful You has bought so many wonderful people into my life.  A few months ago when I put up this post asking for readers to nominate and tell me about their favourite empowering music video clips, I was introduced me to the music of US based singer/songwriter Rachel Sage.  I was fortunate enough to connect with Rachael and get her thoughts on her music and special interest in eating disorders.  Enjoy!

Another person I met back in college was John Lee Hooker. When I met him he was so joyful and affectionate. He loved music, and making his own music, more than any person I’ve ever met.  We became good friends and we would have lots of parties with diverse groups of artists and musicians. Just knowing him and being his friend was certainly one of the highlights of my musical journey.

A third highlight is a concert which I was invited to perform in on the first anniversary of September 11th. There was such a sense of holiness about the event and each artist said a few words about how the events had affected them.  I remember how difficult it was for many of the artists to perform, but how there was a profound sense of healing from the event.  We were all there to help each other try to make sense of the senseless, and I was grateful to be a part of something so powerful as a musician.  Whenever I become even the least bit jaded, I like to think about moments like those, and remember how meaningful music can be, not only when it’s at it’s most uplifting and joyful, but in terms of helping people mourn and appreciate life itself more intensely. That’s definitely what it does for me on a daily basis!

You have a special interest in eating disorders. Tell me why this is an issue of interest to you.  As a young ballet dancer, I encountered many peers who were suffering from eating disorders. Thankfully, something in my psychological makeup seemed immuned to the same obsessive complusions.  It wasn’t like I didn’t try to diet or be as thin as the next girl, I just didn’t have whatever combinatiom of mental and physical – perhaps genetic – qualities, that contribute to the illness. In many ways, I have always felt that it was sheer luck – and nothing more – that I did not develop an eating disorder.

I have had a handful of close friends who have not been so lucky. My college roomate developed an eating disorder and I gradually watched her become more ill, while feeling incredibly helpless.  I continually encountered other women who felt the same compassion and sensitivity as feminist, creative individuals, toward their fellow sisters, who were always berating their bodies.  A group of us deided to form a performance group and perform radical theater pieces that addressed some of the stereotypes and negative images of women and their bodies in maimstream meda. Our first production was such a success that we were all shocked.  Clearly, the work resonated more deeply with women on campus than we could ever have anticipated, which was empowering and disturbing, at the same time.

As a touring musician, and having composed several songs on the topic, I’ve been approached by listeners all over the country who’ve explained to me that they are bulimic or anorexic.  There is still so much shame around it, and so much ignorance.  We are all so hard on ourselves, but I believe it’s each person’s responsibility on this planet to do what he/she can to help uplift another.  For that reason, I do my best as an artist, whenever I go out onstage, to represent the ideals that have helped me not only to survive my insecurities, but to pursue my passion – and all of that is very hard, if not impossible, to do when all you can think about is self-denial. I’m not a doctor or a therapist, but thankfully as a musician I’m occasionally in a position where I can shed some genuine light. 

I love the song on your new album Delancey Street called ‘Big Star.’ It has some very poignant things to say about our society’s obsession with fame and celebrity.  Thank you – I’m glad you like the song! I wrote “Big Star” a very long time ago and I used to peform it at clubs around Greenwich Village.  It always seemed to have an impact, because it’s very tongue-in-cheek and pokes fun, in a playful way, at “what it takes” to be a star.

I think there are very few overnight sensations and even many of the youngest stars have been singing, acting and dancing since they could barely walk. But on the flipside, it often seems, as a struggling artist, as though the reasons that “big break” eludes you are frivolous and superficial, such as not being thin enough, or not having big boobs, or not having great hair, or not being cutthroat or just…lacking whatever that “it” quality is.  In the context of the song, I’m sort of satirizing the concept of stardom. Who decides what star quality is? What does being a star require?

What role do you think female singer/songwriters can play in inspiring girls and women to love and respect themselves.  I think the ability to impact your fellow women, as an artist, is limitless. Girls are so competitive with one another growing up, it can be so heartbreaking and cruel. I think the more entertainers who make a point of using intelligent language when it comes to discussing body-imagery, and of being open about their own struggles and triumphs, the more discussion makes way for progress. There will always be unattainable ideals of ‘beauty’ in our society, based on a select few’s arbitrary notions of what is attractive. But as artists with microphones and websites, we can definitely help arm young people to define their own sense of what’s healthy and beautiful, regardless of the fantasies that Hollywood creates or the beauty industry perpetuates. I think some component of spirituality is the key; everyone has a soul, a part of themselves that can be moved to tears of joy or happiness. Your can’t buy that in a perfume and spray it on – it comes from within and singer-songwriters would have no material without it!

Thanks Rachael.  I really admire how passionate Rachael is, not only about her music, but using her life and talent in a way that is empowering and giving to others.  Rachel’s new album, Delancey St, is in stores today.  It’s worth it for ”Big Star” and so much more.