Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Christine Sako recently released her new single, “Catch My Breath,” a dreamy alt-pop track infused with shimmering surfaces and luscious harmonies.
“Catch My Breath” explores the draining experience of reiterating who you are and how you got there over and over again.
Sako explains, “Over time, each retelling dilutes the pool of authenticity. It’s hard to feel genuine when it becomes more of an act than a moment of real connection.”
Initially, Sako shared her songs via AIM. In 2009, she toured internationally with Now, Now, sharing the stage with Paramore. In 2012, she decided to go solo, releasing her debut album, The Math Project, followed by dropping a series of singles, including 2021’s “Coda.”
Written, performed, and produced largely by Christine herself (vocals, guitar, keys, drums, bass), “Catch My Breath” reveals catchy retro flavors tinted with hints of modern pop luster.
Guitar Girl Magazine spoke with Christine Sako to find out more about “Catch My Breath, her definition of tone, and her gear.
What three things can’t you live without?
- Headphones or speakers – basically any way to consume music, ideally with an endless library. Music is my constant companion and inspiration.
- My sister – she’s my best friend, keeps me humble, and somehow still hypes me up to levels that need humbling in the first place.
- One of my guitars – they’re my ultimate creative outlet and offer endless ways for me to express myself and unwind.
What inspired your new single “Catch My Breath?”
‘Catch My Breath’ came from a place I think a lot of us know – being in that situation where you’re telling your story to someone new, and it starts to feel repetitive. First impressions feel so important, and you end up carefully picking what to share and when, trying to paint this cohesive and interesting picture of your life and how you got to where you are today. But there are only so many ways to tell the same story. So, the repetition makes it harder to feel completely genuine, and it starts to feel more like a performance than just being yourself.
How did you get started in music?
My mom put me in the obligatory piano lessons in elementary school, but I absolutely hated the mimicry and repetitive energy of it. I was also a percussionist in band class throughout school, but again, the structure and vibe of it all lacked the creativity I needed to be truly passionate about it. But when I heard Avril Lavigne’s ‘Complicated’ the summer before high school, it was game over for any spare time I had. I taught myself guitar and started writing songs nonstop.
Which singers/musicians influenced your sound?
Well, first and foremost, Avril Lavigne. It was her vibe and what she represented in the music scene for me at the time – a young, rebellious singer-songwriter with a unique voice (both literally and figuratively). I related to the punk-rocker energy with a softer songwriting side. Elliott Smith was also a huge one for me. I first heard his music about a year after he had died, and I think the combination of his already beautifully haunting music, combined with knowing how his life ended, completely consumed me. ‘Between the Bars’ was the first cover I ever played in front of other people.
What kind of guitar do you play? Which amps and pedals are you using?
I’ve been primarily playing my Taylor GS Mini-e that I got during the pandemic. I’ve found I play more often with it around because it’s super easy to fling around and toy with. I usually perform with the same Taylor 614ce I’ve had since high school, though it has suffered a few injuries (e.g., being dropped an entire 3 feet off a stage, sustaining an internal battery explosion, etc.). My Fender DG22ce is pretty worn down and sticker-laden, but I’ve written over 80% of my songs with it, so it is very dear to me. I also have an Epiphone Goth Les Paul Studio I’ve had since high school (also sticker-laden), as well as an Epiphone Les Paul Custom PRO Electric. My pedal/amp setup is mostly just configured in-DAW since I have primarily been recording vs. performing these past few years, but when I had more gear, I was very CRATE amp and BOSS pedal leaning, brand-wise.
What is your definition of tone? And is your tone evolving?
From a high level, I would say that tone is what gives a sound its unique character. It is what defines a sound and distinguishes it from the vast sea of every other artist or band’s voice. My tone has evolved significantly over the years. I started with a very acoustic, singer-songwriter-esque sound that really lent itself to the music that originally inspired me. I definitely kept to that lane until around when I moved from Minnesota to California in 2012, where I started writing with more electronic elements in mind. Now I try to blend the two into a sort of acoustic-electropop style that I think carries the lyrics and overall vibe I am going for quite well.
What can you share about your creative process?
Usually, I will either be in or witness someone else in a particular situation that I feel warrants some kind of storytelling. More often than not, the writing comes shortly after the situation is ‘over,’ so there has been some time to zoom out, re-scope, and reflect on it in a different way. I’ll usually sit down with my guitar and a notebook and just start plucking or strumming and let lyrics just flow to the top of my mind. I’ll pen them down and tweak them until I have something ready to record, which is when I really have fun with the process.
Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practicing, or playing live?
Speaking of! Recording is definitely my favorite aspect of being a musician. I love the endless possibilities at the start of the process that really fork into these different directions a song can go. Playing around and exploring with different instruments, effects, and overall vibes is just so fun to me. These days, it’s one of the only things I can get completely lost in. I can sit down in the morning, and next thing I know, it’s dark out and hours upon hours have flown by.
What do you think is your greatest accomplishment?
A few years ago, I was able to share some of my music with a composer who worked on Michael Jackson’s ‘Off The Wall’ album, and he gave me really encouraging feedback on my writing. That was huge for me because up until that point, I had never received professional feedback. Aside from that, opening for Paramore when I was the touring member of the indie-pop band Now, Now was an opportunity on a scale I don’t think I will ever experience again.
What’s the most random fact you know?
Most facts aren’t facts, they’re just observations! And that’s a fact!
What is your definition of success?
Being able to do what you love (and are hopefully good at) without it feeling like a burden or bringing an unwanted level of anxiety is the dream. I think oftentimes when people make their hobbies their jobs, a level of pressure gets loaded into the whole deal, which can really dull any joy that would have otherwise come from it. It is one of the reasons I’ve always made sure to keep music as a hobby and not to rely on it in any substantial way, financially or otherwise.
What’s next for Christine Sako?
I’ve been toying with the idea of recording a few gems I’ve had tucked away for a while. Songwriting is so funny in that it can at times feel so temporarily specific, but can really endure the passing of time because a song doesn’t have to apply singularly or specifically to a situation at a particular point in time in order to be good or to matter to someone. I forget that sometimes, so stacks of songs get buried because they’re no longer ‘relevant’ to me. It’s time to dig them up!
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