What you are about to read is a story. But it’s not my story. It’s a deeper dive into the passion, heart, and motivation for artist, Sadie Lewis and her music. I highly encourage you to take some time and give her currently published singles a listen before you continue reading my post. Trust me, they will give you chills!
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with Sadie and get to know her heart for music. It was an interview, but I think reading her responses, you will agree that it seemed more like a personal, honest conversation with a genuine friend. Nothing super formal or intense. And it didn’t matter that until this day, we had never met in person. I hope you enjoy getting to know this talented gal as much as I did as you read through my post.
The conversation started with a look at when, where, and how her music interests began…
How long have you been a musician?
“Oh gosh! As long as I can remember, honestly. My dad started teaching me when I was 7, but as long as I can remember I’ve been playing around with instruments.”
She was gifted a very small fiddle from her dad around the age of four. As she got older, she found a love for the mandolin and acoustic guitar. “Those were the ones where I got really serious.”
What made you want to become a musician?
“My dad. He is a professional musician so watching him my whole life definitely inspired me to become a musician myself.”
At one point in our conversation, Sadie described herself as a daddy’s girl. She also noted that he became a professional musician at the age of 14 and has pursued a career in music since, including teaching other students. He’s been a huge influence, inspiration, and teacher to her in her own adventures with music and art. Just speaking with her, it is evident that Sadie and her dad share such an amazing bond over their passion for creating. It is such a beautiful thing!
Who is your biggest influence?
Aside from her dad being in the #1 spot for biggest inspiration and influence, Sadie has a HUGE love and respect for Ed Sheeran. When I asked her the best concert she had attended, any of the three Ed Sheeran performances she had seen live was her answer. Each varying in venue, crowd numbers, and seating. Interesting to mention, she won an acoustic guitar from Sheeran himself after winning a contest involving her and her dad performing one of his songs and sending it in for him to view. Then, Sheeran judged and picked Sadie’s performance out of the multitude that entered. Crazy enough, Sadie’s video was taken on one take and recorded in her bedroom, unlike the other entries who professionally recorded in a studio.
When did you start writing music?
“I started out learning other people’s stuff first… He [my Dad] would kind of teach me the same way he would teach his other music students. So he would just put on a little backing track and we would just play with it.”
Favorite instrument? What instruments have you learned to play?
Aside from fiddle, mandolin, and acoustic guitar that was mentioned earlier…
“I know how to play piano, ukulele, percussion instruments, and I’m sure there’s more. I just can’t think of them. Acoustic guitar is my favorite though. Not for any deep reason other than the fact that I know how to play it the best out of all the other instruments.”
Sadie has also attempted electric guitar and said she would love to learn to play it well like her dad. As far as acoustic goes, she has a few different styles and brands. She has a standard sized Blueridge, the Ed Sheeran guitar which is a Lowden- handcrafted and made in Northern Ireland from a very small brand, and a Martin which is from one of the Ed Sheeran lines of guitars.
What do you like most about playing music?
“Honestly, it’s therapy to me. If I’m having a bad day, I play music. If I’m having a good day, I play music. Any day. I feel like with music, you can speak louder than words.”
When and where did you first perform in public?
When Sadie first started playing in public, she played frequently in front of small crowds and mostly at functions, such as family reunions. She recalled playing a song at a banquet at Carson Newman University when she was really young. She described her start with public performances as “small, little humble beginnings”.
“The first time I lead worship by myself, I went to Belize. I lead worship for 200 beautiful Belizian women for this women’s conference. That was my first leading worship moment.”
She has been to Belize a handful of times and loves it there. Talk about a crazy and amazing opportunity! When discussing upcoming performances/concerts, she stated she was “waiting for open doors” and “open to anything”.
What is your favorite type of venue to perform at? And do you battle stage fright?
“Honestly, the bigger the better.”
Unlike many artists, Sadie does not battle stage fright to any large degree. If she is performing with her guitar, she “hides” behind it and is totally comfortable. However, performing without holding an instrument is when she has noted she tends to get a bit nervous. If she happens to get a little nervous, she finds that is because she is playing in front of a small group.
“I find that if I’m playing in front of hundreds and hundreds of people, I am not nervous whatsoever. I don’t know if it’s because if it’s small I can focus on individual people.”
When I asked Sadie how she overcomes the nervousness she occasionally feels when playing in front of others, she shared a really encouraging technique she uses.
“It sounds very cliche. Just closing my eyes. Because I don’t perform for people. When I do music, I’m leading worship. I’ll literally close my eyes and be like ‘I have an audience of one.’ It’s just me and God and I don’t have to focus on anybody around me.”
Do you ever deal with writer’s block?
Sadie admitted she is currently dealing with writer’s block, but she overcomes it by taking a break. Walking away and then coming back to writing after a break has helped her move past the mental block. She also has had moments where learning a certain guitar riff or something similar became frustratingly challenging. Instead of sticking with the popular “practice makes perfect” idea, Sadie has found that walking away for either hours, days, or weeks- whatever is needed- gives her a fresh mindset and an ability to come back and master the task.
How would you describe the music you create?
“It is worship. As for genre, it’s like Christian folk. Very mountainy. Taking it back to my Tennessee roots. Embracing my own sound instead of trying to sound like everybody else.”
Although her dad’s sound is folk and southern in style, Sadie initially felt standoffish towards folk and bluegrass for her own music, mentioning that southern music can be negatively looked at from time to time. However, her dad encouraged her to embrace her own sound and be different. And that’s what she has done!
Where is your favorite creative spot?
Sadie has created her own aesthetic and comfort in her bedroom, filled with paintings and other creative mediums. She finds that she can be herself and most creative in that space. If not her room, she enjoys being outside- listening to nature and grounding herself.
Describe your creative process when you write new music.
“I feel like my process is kind of opposite of what other people do. I feel like a lot of people will write lyrics first and then fill in melodies to fit the lyrics. But for me, I actually write the music and melodies first. So, I will play and hum a melody to come up with something and then I will write what feels like fits in the melody.”
Has it been difficult to stay true to yourself but also utilize social media, reels, etc. to make your musical name known?
If you take a look at Sadie’s social media platforms, she has created numerous beautiful clips and posts incorporating nature, her style, and music. She works full-time as a social media manager in her current job so she is comfortable with creating and sharing in that means. However, she stated she did not like promoting herself so that was one aspect she had to overcome to be able to share her music in that way.
“In reality, if people truly love you and appreciate you, you are not going to drive them crazy with your stuff [posts]. And if they don’t support you, they can unfollow you and it’s okay.”
If you could collaborate with any other artist, who would it be?
Sadie said that if it’s worship music, she would love to collaborate with Leeland Mooring. She feels that he is the most genuine and humble worship leader of today’s times. If she ever branched out and performed any secular music, she easily stated that Ed Sheeran would be her number one pick to collaborate with. She also said that her answers would be the same for who she would like to open a show for. These two artists being her most respected musicians in their own genres.
What are your goals with your music career?
“Honestly, I would love to be in music full-time. Ever since I was little, I always felt like that’s what I wanted to do. Like when I would think of jobs… there was literally never anything where I was like ‘this is the career I want to be in and this is the job I want to be in the rest of my life’.”
What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next 10 years?
Sadie mentioned that it seemed crazy to think ahead to even a couple years from now since she will be married! May 2025 she says “I do” to Shane and starts her new adventure as a married gal! So exciting!
“Honestly, I just want to be very obedient to wherever God wants to call me to. Whether that’s like being in music full-time, being in ministry/music full-time. I don’t really know what that looks like, but I’m a very willing vessel.”
When I asked Sadie who her biggest supporters are on her music journey, “my fiancé- Shane and my dad. They are like my little cheerleaders.”
Tell me about a new project that you are excited about.
Sadie has 2 singles out currently- “With You” and “Already Won”. You can listen to them on Apple Music, etc.
These two singles are going to be included on the first FULL album she is currently working on creating and recording! She plans to release her album in 2025 for the world to hear!
What is your WHY for creating and sharing music?
“I just want the love and joy of Jesus to be known to people. I started writing music in a very dark place in my life. It was an awful time… very traumatic season.”
Sadie went on to talk a little about her “wilderness season” that many of us seem to go through in our own ways. “Something very traumatic happened in my life- very heart wrenching, terrible, and awful. In that season, I felt like I couldn’t hear God’s voice anymore. I couldn’t feel His presence anymore.” She began writing to God during her tough season, despite feeling like she had the right to believe He was just sitting back watching her struggle all alone. Her writings to God were from a place of faith and declarations of His love for her despite how she feels. Declaring that He had already won over her situation. Catch the hint towards one of her singles?
Sadie’s season of darkness hit her at the age of 14. During those times, she wrote an entire album, including her single “Already Won”. The album she is in the process of recording for the projected release in 2025 came from her writings in her “wilderness season”. Once she finished writing the album, she described it as “like a light switch went off”.
“I was able to feel his presence again and hear his voice again. So, if you are listening… I feel like if I could give a tip to anyone who is creative, which everyone is creative… I feel like in really bad seasons, the enemy, the first thing he will try to steal is your creativity when you are going through something really hard. So, I would suggest they don’t let the enemy steal it. Even if they don’t feel like writing a song, write a song. If they don’t feel like writing poetry, write poetry anyways. Don’t let the negative season steal your passion, talent, and what you’re made for. God has given us these gifts to change the world if we use it for His glory.”
Sadie admitted that there are times where she is recording the songs written in her dark season and experiences deep emotions from the sensitive scars. Overall, she finds that looking back on where she was compared to where she is brings gratitude.
“I hope this music can bring other people through hard seasons. And to be victorious over those seasons.”
How would you overcome or ignore any negative backlash that comes with putting your talents and work out there?
Sadie touched on the importance of knowing your why for creating and realizing that when you are walking in your calling and using your gifts/talents, “there is a target on your back for sure.”
“When there is negativity, I always know I’m doing something right.”
It was such a privilege and amazing time getting to chat with Sadie. Her testimony is so beautifully told through her music. I can’t wait to hear her new album! In the meantime, you guys absolutely need to give her 2 singles a listen. Not only do I hope you enjoy them, I hope they draw you into a deeper worship and time with the Father. I hope you do feel the joy and love of the Lord as Sadie mentioned.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of music?
“Definitely creative. Anything creative I love.”
She loves painting, water colors, and astronomy- outer space and stargazing.
“I have a really big telescope. That’s the one thing I geek out over.”
She has also recently started creating Christian digital posters and posting them on Etsy for purchase. She also mentioned plans to soon incorporate her own lyrics/songs into her Etsy shop. Definitely something to watch for!
Of course, we ended our time together with a coffee-related question. Sadie loves coffee and fruity lemonades; however, she is unable to consume caffeine. You can never go wrong with water or juices!