With her new album ‘Desert Car’ having been delayed by two years, AC Sapphire is now sharing the hard work she put into its creation with the world. As an artist who looks at society and life through an almost poetic lens, she turns topics and issues that touch and affect us all into lyrically complex but thought-provoking and observational songs, an example of which is her single “Stick And Poke Tattoo”, about memory, distance, time and the little things in life that bring us pleasure.
XS Noize caught up with her to find out about the artists she’s most inspired by, the one venue she’d love to play and her many future plans.
Who exactly is AC Sapphire, in a few words?
Annachristie Sadler. A musician of the earth.
Which artists have inspired or influenced you and your music over the years? How so?
Jeff Buckley, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin. Angel Olson, Frank Ocean and Buffy Sainte-Marie.
Is there one particular artist you might say you sound similar to, or are you an artist determined to be uniquely yourself?
I think I’m unique to myself.
Tell me about your album’ Desert Car.’ Who or what inspired its title?
I moved to Joshua tree, California and purchased a Buick roadmaster station wagon from someone off Craigslist named Rocky, who left a Madonna CD in the player…. which is the said “desert car; that car was freedom and the smoothest ride I’ve ever had! This album was inspired by travelling, meeting people, and working on music with them; it was inspired by the desert ground I would lay down and listen to.
Do you have a favourite song on the collection, and if so, which is it and why?
Maybe “Stick And Poke Tattoo.” It is a love story about someone giving me a stick and poke tattoo in Ireland, which is a very sweet life memory. Or bonsai, which I wrote in 30 mins after waking up from a dream about the song.
Given that tours and festivals are back underway again after a two-year pandemic-induced break, are there plans for you to tour in support of the album? What can those who come to an AC Sapphire show expect?
I would LOVE to tour! I’ve no current plans as I am looking for a booking agent to help me get shows for a sustainable tour. People who come to see me can expect a real human connection and lyrical webs with vocals from the soul.
If you could play one venue anywhere in the world, which would it be and why?
Mmm, I would love to play a backyard show in any other county. I would love to play Red Rocks.
Women have taken and are taking a lot of flak, not just as artists but as women in general, in the media lately, and you have always been one to champion your fellow females. How much would you like to see other women – artists or not – do the same, especially given the Roe Vs Wade overruling and the impact that’s already having?
I think it is quite clear that men have the upper hand in every industry. I would like to see every woman in the music scene to come together and not compete for the 1 or 2 positions available to hang with the “guys” and truly support each other by creating our own environment – and prioritizing each other; this is a practice in my own life.
I would love to see men open up the doors, and instead of asking their all-male bands to open up for their show, ask all-women and non-binary bands to open up for them. Share your fame and prioritize women. I want women to fully embrace trans women and trans people in how they share our struggle to have autonomy over our own bodies and do not feel safe walking alone.
We all live in an age where it seems impossible to escape social media. As an artist and individual, how do you feel about that? Do you think you’d have the career and support you do without the likes of Facebook and Twitter?
Being an artist, you have to participate in social media. There are times when it feels so empty to promote your music in the face of great tragedy in the world, though I do believe music and art are a service to humanity and healing. I think it is so important to be aware of how we interact with social media and promote ourselves.
I honestly don’t know if I would have the support without social media. I even struggle to feel supported with social media; for me, it is in the live performance that I truly feel supported – holding people’s attention in real-time, giving everything I am on stage and feeling held by the audience.
What is the nicest thing you’ve ever seen written or that someone has said about you and your music? Do you find it easy to shake off any criticism that comes your way, for whatever reason?
My sister will periodically post a song of mine and tell people to check out my stuff, and sometimes random friends will do the same; every time, it feels good when someone feels the impulse to share what you do with their friends. I think criticism is the means to grow and get better.
Finally, the pandemic derailed so many plans for so many people, but now that things are returning to some semblance of normality, what plans have you got for the rest of the year and beyond? What’s your one goal for 2022?
I plan on releasing this record, recording a new one, and playing as many shows as possible. I would love to get my foot in the door with music production, tour management, and booking. I also am a new video/film student, and I would love to make music videos for friends. I want to open my heart and embrace life to the fullest instead of letting the jaded take hold of me.
Listen to ‘Desert Car’ – BELOW:
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