Singer-songwriter Sakura is taking on the world with a new song, and a new sound. Her latest single “Lovesick” steers away from her former folk sounds to an upbeat indie-pop groove. A musician who goes above and beyond, she kindly took time out of her recent EU tour, to chat with us about change, infatuation, and self-love.
In the Middle Ages, musicians used to wander the streets. Serenading to open windows in the hope their sweethearts would appear by the balcony. The art of the public serenade has changed since, as we now woo through phones and swipe away our lust. But for songstress Sakura, music still delivers the perfect catharsis to matters of the heart.
On her latest track “Lovesick”, the 21-year-old sings of infatuation. On the surface, the song beams with a jovial indie-pop beat. It feels like the buzz of falling in love. In the music video, the singer dances on a sunny city rooftop while wearing heart-shaped sunglasses. Falling head over heels seems like ecstasy until Sakura realises in her lyrics: “reality’s a sick fantasy”.
Aptly, she says the song was born from a relationship she was in. Her thoughts also drew from watching The CW network’s show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. “It made me think of how when it comes to romantic love, our society seems to give us a sense of leeway in the ways that we behave. Even when it’s very toxic,” she says. As a result, “Lovesick” highlights the problem shared with the show’s protagonist: treating intimacy like a drug. To find the antidote for the come-down of infatuation, Sakura says we have to learn to love ourselves.
Going the extra mile to accompany the single, Sakura created a “Lovesick” zine. She says 10% of the proceeds from zine sales will be donated to East-West Organization, a UK-based addiction rehabilitation clinic. “This experience of creating the song, video, and zine, gave me a lot of insight into how taking care of ourselves. And our mental health is an extension of caring for other people, so it felt fitting!”
Aside from her thoughtful prose, “Lovesick” also marks a big change in sound for Sakura. The Japanese/Chinese musician was born and raised in Hong Kong. By the time she was 19, she had found her way to London and released her debut single “Evolve”. Back then, she leaned heavily on the folk stylings of Tracy Chapman and the emotional blight of Jeff Buckley. However, after a two-year break from music and a move to Vienna, she’s found her groove in an upbeat, indie-pop sound. She’s also now complete with a full band. “I think that my music taste has changed a lot as well, and writing and producing “Lovesick” definitely felt like a step in the right direction,” says Sakura. “I think the most important thing is creating music that gets you excited!”
Q. On “Lovesick”, it’s fabulous hearing your music as a full indie-pop band! Your previous solo releases have been an acoustic/folk vibe, what inspired the change?
S: Thank you! I released my debut single “Evolve” when I was 19. So I’ve had a 2-year break since, where I’ve been developing, writing loads, playing and maturing in my artistry. I think that my music taste has changed a lot as well and writing and producing “Lovesick” definitely felt like a step in the right direction. I think the most important thing is creating music that gets you excited!
Q. “Lovesick” is about infatuation rather than love, and one of the great lyrics in the song is “reality’s a sick fantasy”. Was this written in relation to anything you’ve experienced?
S: Writing has always been a very cathartic and healing process for me. And I think everything I write is in some way or another an interpretation of my feelings, experiences, or the way that I process or navigate my place in the world.
The inspiration for ‘Lovesick’ was born out of watching a couple episodes of The CW’s show Crazy Ex Girlfriend and a relationship that I had. It made me think of how when it comes to romantic love, our society seems to give us a sense of leeway in the ways that we behave, even when it’s very toxic. The ending of the music video where I’m staring into a mirror represents the journey we go through in realising that love begins with and for ourselves.
“Writing has always been a very cathartic and healing process for me.”
Q. You were born in Hong Kong, moved to London and now in Vienna. What has inspired those moves?
S: I’d love to experience life in as many places as I can! My bandmate and best friend, whom I met in London, is Austrian and was planning on moving to Vienna. Since my visa was expiring for the U.K, I thought Vienna would be a good next stop. We did a little tour last summer in Austria and I really loved Vienna and thought it would be a nice change of pace.
Q. That’s a lot of traveling! What’s your favourite place in the world, so far, to play music?
S: I don’t think I could pick one place! Every country and city has a unique feeling to it and I’ve loved all the experiences I’ve made traveling and bringing my songs to people around the world.
Q. What’s next on the horizon music-wise?
S: I’m currently on tour until the first week of July, so I’ve been travelling a lot and playing lovely intimate shows around Europe. I’m really excited to end this leg of shows with my lovely band supporting Lucy Dacus in Vienna! An EP is also in the works for recording this year.
You can get your hands on the beautiful “Lovesick” zine here. And give Sakura all your hearts on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.