Meet Sarah Underwood | Songwriter & Vocalist

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

Hi Sarah, why did you pursue a creative career?
Well, in a way my career actually chose me. I was on track to pursue collegiate athletics when I sustained a traumatic brain injury, and needed a new outlet for all of my time and energy while in recovery. I began writing songs and playing them out around the Twin Cities; and I always wanted to go south for school, so when I was accepted into Belmont University’s songwriting program in Nashville it seemed the perfect path. I’m also an empath and an enneagram 4, so I’m someone who holds a lot of emotions, all of which I feel very deeply. Songwriting feels like therapy to me, like journaling; I used to write a lot of poetry when I was younger, and now I can’t write verses without hearing melodies for them as well. So I guess I pursued this career in part because I fell into it, and in part because when I did, it just felt like home.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I hope that what stands out about my art specifically are the image-driven lyrics, unique details, authentic stories, internal rhymes, emotional melodies, and syncopated rhythms. I listen to a variety of rap, pop, and country, and I believe all of them bleed into my songs. I’m constantly listening to and learning from my favorite artists, and I’m fascinated by language and linguistics as well, so I challenge myself by using unexpected vocabulary in my lyrics. Some favorite examples that have made it into songs of mine include the words metaphysical, transcendental, hippocampus, dystopian, claustrophobia, and exponential. I’m a bit of a nerd in that regard so it’s a fun exercise for me, but it also elevates my craft and differentiates my work, while giving the ear something more interesting and unpredictable to listen to.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: Santa Monica beach day and night at the pier

Day 2:
Fashion district and poke bowls

Day 3:
Malibu beach day and hiking in Topanga state park

Day 4:
Universal Studios

Day 5:
Shopping on Melrose and show at Bar Lubitsch

Day 6:
Melrose Trading Post Flea Market and lunch in The Grove

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. “Steal Like an Artist” and “Show Your Work” by Austin Kleon. Julia Michaels and Taylor Swift. My wonderfully supportive parents, siblings, and boyfriend. The artists who let me help write their stories, including my incredibly talented friends Jules Paymer, Talia Stewart, danny G, Blü Eyes, Abigail Rose, Mira Housey, and Ellee Duke, to name just a handful. Everyone who has ever inspired my songs. Anyone who has ever listened. I thank you all and am rooting for you so big:)) xoxo

Website: https://www.sarahunderwoodcreative.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_undy/

Other: https://soundbetter.com/profiles/355895-undy https://www.songfinch.com/artists/7601

Image Credits
Molly Laird, Savannah Shaver, Nick Spallucci