Meet Sarah McTaggart | Lead Singer & Songwriter, Transviolet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah McTaggart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is where innovation happens. It’s a place where we are at our most vulnerable, and vulnerability is where we truly connect. The most life changing and successful songs I’ve been a part of have been huge risks, both personally and professionally. Girls Your Age is my coming of age story. It has no percussion until verse 2. That song has almost 20 million streams on spotify alone, and has been cosigned by Katy Perry, Harry Styles, Ellie Goulding and Lauren Jauregui. Undo is my reckoning with self doubt. It’s almost single handedly recouped our pub deal, and we played it on the Colbert Show. Run Toward The Monster is my conversation with imposter syndrome set to music. Destroy Destroy Destroy is my inner voices joining forces to liberate myself from limiting beliefs. Love and Power is about taking back my power after sexual assault. All three have made it to massive playlists, including Antipop, New In Alternative, and New Music Friday, despite us now being completely independent. My most risky songs have shaped my career, taken me around the world, and have connected me with people that have changed my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think my tenacity sets me apart. I don’t think I started off as the best singer, songwriter, musician or anything really, but I just kept going. I kept learning, I stayed open, and I kept trying. When things got in my way, I was flexible. I found ways around the obstacles. My mantra for facing challenges is “I am creative. I am resourceful. So many people want to help me.” It’s always worked. I’ve learned that there will always be problems to solve, no matter what level of success you are at, but there are always solutions. Sometimes the solution is understanding when something is out of your control and letting it go. I’d want the world to know I used to be a scared little girl who got bullied for having acne, being flat chested and writing poetry. I didn’t fit in. Now millions of people know my songs and sing my lyrics with me while I’m on stage feeling free and completely myself. Don’t change who you are. Find the people who celebrate you for being you, and cherish them. Fuck everyone else.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Beach Volleyball in Santa Monica. Fancy Dinner at Little Pine in Silverlake. Vegan burritos at El Cocinero in Van Nuys. Weirdo Night at Zebulon. Donuts at Donut Friend. Mushrooms in Joshua Tree. Game Night at my place.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people have helped us on our journey. Our manager Eva Alexiou- Reo is our real life super hero. I can’t imagine where we’d be without her. She works so hard, and is so supportive of our vision. My partner, Chris, and my closest friends, Taylor Lewis, Jess Joy and Krimsey Lilith, who love me unconditionally, with a shoulder to cry on, words of encouragement, and endless understanding and acceptance. They always remind me of who I am. My bandmates and collaborators, who are like my family, are just so talented and generous with their skill and energy. And our fans, especially the die hard ones, that know every lyric and come to every show who make me feel so connected, seen, and heard. I’m so grateful for all of them.

Website: transviolet.com

Instagram: instagram.com/transviolet

Twitter: twitter.com/transvioletband

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Transviolet/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpQfsBWUPwIQKxkkbRX7RfQ

Image Credits
Photos by Taylor Lewis