CALIFORNIAN singer- songwriter Sara Bareilles scored a Top 5 hit in the US
with her piano-soul pop single Love Song. Here, she chats to JACQUI SWIFT
about her music in our new regular quickfire Q&A.
WHEN did you start singing?
I started through community theatre in Eureka, California when I was ten or
11. I was then singing in schools and in choirs. In my early 20s I started
recording for an indie label before being signed to Epic in America.
Who are your influences?
Elton John, Billy Joel. Fiona Apple, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Etta
James. And Counting Crows, Ben Folds and Radiohead.
Tell us about Love Song . . .
It was written when I felt I was going nowhere as I was more concerned with
what others thought. This p***** me off – that is how Love Song came about.
It is a very honest song that people connect with. It’s also very upbeat.
How important was getting a TV advert in the US for the song?
It was so important. I didn’t realise it at the time but it made a huge
difference, the synergy with the ad saw the song climbing up the charts.
Your songs are autobiographical. What did the people involved think about
them?
In my relationship to those songs they are about specific people. They know
who they are. I always say you can’t expect to date a songwriter and not
expect to show up in the songs.
You say recording your album Little Voice was stressful. Why?
I felt like I was taking the first steps in defining who I would be in the
musical landscape of things. At the time it seemed like a heavy project I
was part of.
How do you feel about being compared to Fiona Apple, Norah Jones and Sheryl
Crow?
They’re good to be compared with. They have longevity in their careers and
make diverse music.
Being a female singer-songwriter do you feel pressured to have a certain
image?
Definitely. The pressure to be model skinny and picture perfect. You cope by
staying grounded and staying away from the Hollywoodness of it all as it is
toxic and completely false.
What does the rest of the year hold for you?
At the end of the month I tour with Maroon 5 which will be a lot of fun. We’re
friends. There are plans for my own European tour this fall so I’ll be back
real soon.
Sara plays London’s Bush Hall on Monday.
