Exploring Heartbreak with Sasha Keable

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Sasha Keable is a force to be reckoned with. The Colombian British vocal powerhouse collaborated with Disclosure on their breakthrough album, performed at the most recent Richard Quinn LFW show and just had a sold-out show at Omeara in London.

Sasha is known for speaking her mind, declaring in an interview with GQ that if she were prime minister, the first thing she'd do is Free Palestine. Polyester had the chance to catch up with Sasha to chat about her new EP Intermission, heartbreak and British-Latinx representation. This interview is complimented alongside an exclusive BTS diary with images from her performance at EartH in Hackney in November.

What inspired the title of your new EP, Intermission?

That period in my life was a time to have a break and refocus. We finished everything in covid so it was kind of a bit of an intermission from life. 

___STEADY_PAYWALL___

The EP is really an ode to honest song writing, how do you make sure your songs are authentic to how you actually feel?

I just write. I don't really know. I’m a generally honest person. I’m always saying how I feel so i guess it extends into songwriting.

“You can force excitement, happiness or sadness but you can't force heartbreak. It’s one of those nuanced emotions that fucks with you in every way.”

What music were you listening to while putting together the EP?

Fucking hell. That's like 2 years of music, probably all sad shit or drill. 

You said in your GQ interview that you “love” writing about heartbreak, why do you think that is?

Because I'm good at it and everyone likes to do shit that they're good at, haha. 

Following the same theme, why do you think heartbreak is such a common theme for musicians to explore?

I think because it pulls out the rawest most honest  emotion. You can force excitement, happiness or sadness but you can't force heartbreak. It’s one of those nuanced emotions that fucks with you in every way. People deal with it quite internally. Music is so internal that when someone (artist) gets the emotion right it feels like they're talking to you and that’s quite an incredible thing you can do as a musician. 

British - Latinx culture is sorely underrepresented in the mainstream media, what about your heritage do you wish more people understood?

Just that we’re not all drug smuggling, sex crazed, nutcases. 

You can definitely hear the Latinx influence in songs like Killing Me, is that purposefully done or does it come naturally?

It comes naturally. I’m just so natural, hahaha. 

You’ve been quite open with finding the music industry an uphill battle, what advice would you give to a freshly signed, teenage Sasha?

Don’t listen to old men who don’t make music and always trust your gut. 

And what advice would you give anyone struggling within the industry currently?

Keep going. Be your own cheerleader. It will get better, everyone has shitty months in this industry.

Words: Gina Tonic