Q&A: SAMANTA Sagliabene Explores Self-Discovery and Philosophy in "Sweet Song"
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
SAMANTHA SAGLIABENE’S MUSIC HAS A REMARKABLE CAPACITY to forge connections with listeners, offering a space for shared reflection on the human experience. Her single "Sweet Song" is a prime example, delving into the complexities of aging and the enduring quest for self-understanding. The song's lyrical depth and philosophical undercurrents have captivated audiences, prompting introspection and a sense of shared vulnerability. This interview explores Sagliabene's creative process, her engagement with philosophical concepts, and her artistic journey.
Sagliabene's reflections on "Sweet Song" reveal a thoughtful and introspective artist, deeply engaged with questions of identity, impermanence, and the search for meaning. She shares her insights on songwriting, production, and her passion for creative exploration beyond music, including her love for oil on canvas painting. Looking ahead, Sagliabene offers a glimpse into her upcoming self-titled album, a project that promises to be a culmination of her artistic growth and a powerful expression of her unique voice.
LUNA: "Sweet Song" beautifully captures the bittersweet experience of aging with the lyric, "I'm the same as 17." Can you delve deeper into the specific emotions and reflections that fueled this particular line and the song's overall narrative?
SAGLIABENE: Thank you! This is one of my favorite line’s in the song, and honestly, to me, it really puts emphasis on the ways we tend to run to things for comfort, and that what we run towards might change, but the need for comfort doesn’t, in a way? This line is hard for me to describe, and it’s one of those lines that I wrote because the line itself does say much more than I could explain.
LUNA: You've mentioned that "Sweet Song" explores philosophical concepts. Could you elaborate on some of the key philosophical ideas or questions you were contemplating while writing the song?
SAGLIABENE: For me, this song was a really cathartic writing experience, written with a friend Prithvi., Writing the line “stories in my head so I can sleep, scared there’s not much underneath” was helpful for me, I wanted to explore why I tended to reach for safety outside of myself, as so many of us do, in job titles, the way we are perceived by others, accumulation in the material world, and can just being me, be enough? Even for myself?
Thich Nhat Hanh, writes one of my favorite quotes: “A rose does not have to do anything to be a rose, it just is. You don’t have to run anywhere to become someone else. You are already everything you want to become”.
In the Western world, you are taught to want more, to accumulate more, and that certain attainments add value to yourself. The more I’ve been exploring philosophical concepts such as “non-self” and “impermanence”, I get to reflect and look at certain preconceptions in the light of self-expression within our current society. I think it’s outstandingly important to make complex themes accessible.
LUNA: Sonically, how does this track reflect your growth as an artist?
SAGLIABENE: I’ve really been loving indie folk elements in production, and the soft layered guitars, along with the stacked harmonies came together beautifully to give us this angelic folk piece, also produced with my wonderful friend Prithvi Prakash. I have also been saying less within my writing, and when I feel that something is finished, I let it be, instead of adding more.
LUNA: The theme of change versus remaining the same seems to deeply resonate with many listeners. Why do you think this particular duality strikes such a chord?
SAGLIABENE: I think it strikes a chord because it’s something that is so universally felt, yet a bit hard to describe. They say creativity is actually just rearranging what you already know, and when an artist can touch on this concept, to me, it’s so nice to hear someone “rearrange” this feeling and explain it to me, just as it’s like a weight off of my shoulders to write about it, or paint about it, and express it myself.
LUNA: Can you share more about what your current creative process is like?
SAGLIABENE: I’ve really been loving oil on canvas painting, co-writing with new writers, my solo-writing sessions, and not rushing myself. Not rushing myself with my art has honestly made such a big difference for me. I get the same feeling after painting a canvas, that I do after writing a poem, or a song, and it’s so beautiful to have different forms of creative expression! No limits! :)
LUNA: What can you share about upcoming music? How does “Sweet Song” fit into those broader themes or sounds?
SAGLIABENE: Sooooo exciting, but I am actually working on a self-titled album, “Samantha Marie”, that will be out in 2026. I’m really taking my time with this, and it finally feels time to do a self-titled project, as everything I am currently working on feels so self-expressive, sonically and lyrically, and it just feels right. I will be releasing some singles from it throughout this year!
LUNA: What intentions do you have for this spring season?
SAGLIABENE: This Spring season, I am working on the album production, writing for other artists, as well as for my own artist project, and painting. My intentions for this Spring season in the artistic realm of my life is to enjoy the gift of sharing my art with the world, the gift of being inspired by my friends who also create such incredible work, and the joy of collaboration and connection with other artists.
