Irish singer-songwriter Sive – aka Sadhbh O’Sullivan – makes her 2018 debut with the release of beautifully crafted new single, Quietly, out now via Veta Records.
Combining haunting, multi-layered vocals with delicately weaved musicality and an undeniable charm, Quietly is a truly compelling slice of alt-folk that is not afraid to differentiate from the norm. Sive confidently displays both folk and jazz nuances throughout, sounding akin to the likes of Jesca Hoop or This Is The Kit. Talking about the single Sive explains, “it was inspired by feeling like the world (both the real and online) is constantly shouting in your face, so it’s really about the value of finding a space among all of that to be quiet. It reflects what it’s like to just stop and listen to what’s going on inside yourself – a combination of calming and terrifying!”
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Sive about her latest project, challenges, motivations and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
I think the genre of music I’m making now is something I came to gradually, as opposed to something I was attracted to from the outset. I started playing guitar and writing music for a rock band that I was playing with as a teenager, and as the years went on I started to listen to a lot more folk, jazz and world music. So when I started performing as a solo artist all of those influences began to come into play, and I sort of feel like now they’ve finally led me home to a sound that’s my own! But I’m sure it will continue to evolve.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
I think when I picked up the guitar at around 13, I found something I could express myself with in a way I never had before. From that time I really never thought I’d do anything else – I had no idea how I was going to make it work but it just felt natural to dedicate everything to music. In terms of what drives me to push it out there, I ask myself that question every day haha! But honestly, I think when you write songs there’s a real comfort in singing them and finding people who understand them, having people approach you and say ‘when you sang those lyrics I felt like you were in my head!’ Most of us know how powerful it can be when you find a song that brings you comfort, so I suppose when you write there’s a part of you that wonders if maybe your songs can be that source of comfort for someone else.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
My tastes in music have changed massively over the years. As a kid I listened to a combination of classic rock like Thin Lizzy and the pop music that was on the radio. When I started playing the guitar I got really into bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Pearl Jam and Nirvana, and then segwayed into Tori Amos, Jeff Buckley and lots of other stuff. But I always had an interest in folk, choral and world music without really knowing much about it, so that eventually started creeping in more and more. I remember hearing Simon and Garfunkel as a youngster and going ‘whoooooa, what is that wondrous sound?!’ It was only when I was a little older that I started to appreciate songwriters and got into a lot of jazz music as well. I was super inspired by Irish songwriters who were doing their thing, the likes of Cathy Davey, Ann Scott and Lisa Hannigan. I think books were the big thing that influenced my creativity growing up though – I used to write poems and stories, so I suppose it was natural that I’d start writing songs when I developed my obsession with music.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
I wanted to make something that was unapologetically me and to just enjoy the process of doing it. I’ve always loved experimenting with arrangements, so I wanted to keep something of that but leave room for the songs to breathe and allow people to connect with the lyrics. I also wanted to make a bit more of a concerted effort than I had in the past to create visuals that complimented the sound.
What was the last song you listened to?
Talkin’ Like You (Two Tall Mountains) by Connie Converse.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Tough! I have to admit, there is a lot to be said for MP3. The idea that people can bring their music with them everywhere they go with ease. Also, there’s so much plastic involved in CD production that I don’t think it’s an entirely bad thing that music can exist without requiring much in the way of physical resources. If I were to choose between CD and vinyl though, it would be vinyl all the way.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I suppose I put most of my energy into Spotify because it’s where the majority of people of my generation are consuming their music now. Much as I have reservations about it (that’s a whole other rant!), I like it for ease of use and I have actually discovered new music on it that I mightn’t have otherwise. When an Irish artist does a full album release though, I often go to Bandcamp if the option is available. It’s a nice platform because you have the option of streaming, downloading and buying physical copies, and you also have more freedom in terms of sharing information like lyrics and track credits. I really miss that element when I don’t have a physical copy of something.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
It certainly doesn’t help that even when people connect with you on social media, you have to pay if you want your posts to actually reach all of them. It can sometimes feel like, no matter which way you turn, there is a pay wall between you and the people who might actually want to hear your music. Also, the sheer volume of stuff being sent to music journalists, radio presenters and gig promoters means competition for platforms to get your music out there to an appreciative audience is massive. It’s fantastic that the music scene is so healthy, but you do have to work to find your own little space within it.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
If you want to hear my songs you can find me on Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Soundcloud and Bandcamp. If you want to connect on social media…
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
I’m just really enjoying writing songs at the moment and will be sharing new stuff consistently over the next few months, so please do come and say hi on social media!
