By: Natalia J
Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Sarah Gibson, has grown up immersed in all kinds of music. Exposure at a young age cultivated her ability to meld the worlds of poetry and instrumentation, which allows her to express herself authentically and without bounds. She’s trained in several instruments, including saxophone, guitar, bass, drums, and harp, and is skilled in composition, singing, and performance. She shares that singing is her favorite of all the instruments as it gives her control over the tones that best convey the emotional landscape of her experiences. She has written and explored genres such as blues, rock, and jazz, and in her latest single, “Lullaby,” she ventures into pop.
The title of the song, however, is hardly telling. While the instrumentation follows a simple pop structure, the lyrical complexity is rooted in blues themes, with an edgy delivery that offers insight into her internal and external dilemma. Sarah shares that while music offers her the space and freedom to be 100% herself, it’s much harder to access that type of connection and depth in many social environments. It’s no secret that our society favors extroversion, and let’s be honest, it’s really hard to put yourself out there if you’re shy. One of our most basic human needs is to feel like we belong. Yet all too often, opportunities to connect with others can be clouded by disingenuous social codes, substance masking, and competitive pressures. And for someone who operates in the entertainment industry, where self-promotion is the name of the game, it can feel overwhelming, or forced which doesn’t lend to building authentic connections.
In the lyrics,
“Face the mirror in the back of the room as it shakes”
“Then I walk away, tell myself I’m ok, then I face the crowd but the music’s too loud.”
She paints this example at a party, where she has already stepped outside her comfort zone just to be there. As she takes a breather to compose herself, she finds that even after generating the courage to come back to the crowd, she’s yet again met with another obstacle.
In the chorus lyrics,
“Tell me the reason why I can’t sleep at night”
Is this the lullaby I’m singing everytime…”
“Count the minutes, count the seconds, I’m running out of time
Till I sleep it off, but can’t lay it down”
She elaborates that no matter how hard she tries or how many times she shows up in these settings to try again, she just can’t force alignment. It’s agonizing the amount of pressure there is to fit the mold of a society that simply doesn’t resonate with who you are. You would probably lose sleep too over the amount of time you spent trying and not succeeding. While the song provided Sarah with a space to vent her frustrations and discouragement over this ongoing battle, it ultimately catalyzed a path toward embracing what makes her different.
She emphasizes that it’s all about channeling what makes you you, and to surround yourself with the people and experiences that don’t force you to be someone other than yourself. It’s ok if what’s common or mainstream isn’t YOUR stream. Find your people and the things that celebrate your uniqueness.
She iterates, “Don’t push so hard nor waste your time trying to impress the masses; being authentic will always be a more fulfilling way to live.”
In her effort to honor this path, she continues to write and explore her passions through various music projects. She plans to expand into session singing, where she can connect with like-minded musicians and producers, and offer her uniqueness and versatility to create meaningful work.
To venture into her story, visit sarahgibsonartist.com
Stay tuned on social media for the March 7th release of “Lullaby” and music video!
TikTok @sarahgibsonofficial
Published by Anne C.
