- With what song was the “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect?
- SP: I can honestly say that when we added cello to the record that it felt complete. It was truly the “aha” moment for the entire process. I called up my friend, Brian Sutherland, who is a genius musician overall, but his prowess on the cello is really something. We spent an entire afternoon coming up with parts and recording layers of him on a bunch of songs. When we listened down to the songs we worked on that day, everyone had chills. I had tears in my eyes. The string sections on this album moved me in such a powerful way, and I cannot imagine this album without them.
- What’s the story behind your album’s title?
- SP: Initially, I was not even going to record “Burn the Witch.” I was worried it was too weird and people wouldn’t like it. There was another song on this record that I was going to crown the title. But, I’m so glad my producer, Shawn Byrne, talked me into recording this song. I feel like the song has a lot to say, and I hope people will read between the lines. “Burn the Witch” is about the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, but it directly mirrors modern-day behavior towards marginalized people groups. We continue to ostracize people for being different, and that’s not okay. I think the song is a good conversation starter, and I hope it will make people think not only about how they treat others but also about what they can do to discourage this behavior from being perpetuated by the patriarchy in their day-to-day lives.
- Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did?
- SP: I chose a handful of songs that were heavily leaning on social justice issues that are important to me. Those particular songs are geared towards elevating marginalized people groups (women, people of color, LGBTQ, the incarcerated, etc). There are some relief songs, but as a whole, the album centers around planting seeds of positive change.
- When/where do you do your best writing?
- SP: I tend to write better when I set my intention to unplug and focus solely on whatever feelings are bubbling up. I work best in seclusion, preferably at a retreat somewhere in the mountains, at the beach, or any place I can really get away from the world. I have a few go-to spots. It’s very difficult for me to write on the road. Touring is chaotic. In order to locate the message of what the song is trying to say I need to be still. That takes practice and persistence.
- What’s the most frustrating thing about being on the road?
- SP: To me, it’s just frustrating that everything is harder. Nothing is easy on the road. Everything normal people take for granted like renewing your tags, paying bills, etc. Nothing ever goes according to plan. One time my wallet was stolen while I was on the road in Utah. I had no ID, no credit cards, nothing! Not only was begging for help from strangers at gas stations between Salt Lake and Phoenix terribly humiliating but getting replacements for everything was even more of a pain than it normally would be since I was in a different city every day.
- What do you love most about being on the road?
- SP: I absolutely love connecting with the fans. There is nothing to substitute that one on one connection that happens at a live show. It’s completely and totally magic. We are all looking for a piece of ourselves in the story, and it’s so beautiful to see music making an impact. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
- Who would you love to collaborate with?
-SP: I think I can probably just get in the back of the very long line at this point, but I’d love to collaborate with Brandi Carlile. I’d love to work with her on one of my future records.
- Favorite thing to do on a day off?
- SP: I love to be home! Touring gets so crazy sometimes, so it’s nice to have peace and quiet. My perfect day off looks like waking up in my own bed, making a delicious oat milk latte, chilling in my bathrobe, playing with my puppies, and working on projects around the house. I love cooking also, so on my days off I like to chef up something gourmet.
- SP: I can honestly say that when we added cello to the record that it felt complete. It was truly the “aha” moment for the entire process. I called up my friend, Brian Sutherland, who is a genius musician overall, but his prowess on the cello is really something. We spent an entire afternoon coming up with parts and recording layers of him on a bunch of songs. When we listened down to the songs we worked on that day, everyone had chills. I had tears in my eyes. The string sections on this album moved me in such a powerful way, and I cannot imagine this album without them.
- What’s the story behind your album’s title?
- SP: Initially, I was not even going to record “Burn the Witch.” I was worried it was too weird and people wouldn’t like it. There was another song on this record that I was going to crown the title. But, I’m so glad my producer, Shawn Byrne, talked me into recording this song. I feel like the song has a lot to say, and I hope people will read between the lines. “Burn the Witch” is about the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, but it directly mirrors modern-day behavior towards marginalized people groups. We continue to ostracize people for being different, and that’s not okay. I think the song is a good conversation starter, and I hope it will make people think not only about how they treat others but also about what they can do to discourage this behavior from being perpetuated by the patriarchy in their day-to-day lives.
- Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did?
- SP: I chose a handful of songs that were heavily leaning on social justice issues that are important to me. Those particular songs are geared towards elevating marginalized people groups (women, people of color, LGBTQ, the incarcerated, etc). There are some relief songs, but as a whole, the album centers around planting seeds of positive change.
- When/where do you do your best writing?
- SP: I tend to write better when I set my intention to unplug and focus solely on whatever feelings are bubbling up. I work best in seclusion, preferably at a retreat somewhere in the mountains, at the beach, or any place I can really get away from the world. I have a few go-to spots. It’s very difficult for me to write on the road. Touring is chaotic. In order to locate the message of what the song is trying to say I need to be still. That takes practice and persistence.
- What’s the most frustrating thing about being on the road?
- SP: To me, it’s just frustrating that everything is harder. Nothing is easy on the road. Everything normal people take for granted like renewing your tags, paying bills, etc. Nothing ever goes according to plan. One time my wallet was stolen while I was on the road in Utah. I had no ID, no credit cards, nothing! Not only was begging for help from strangers at gas stations between Salt Lake and Phoenix terribly humiliating but getting replacements for everything was even more of a pain than it normally would be since I was in a different city every day.
- What do you love most about being on the road?
- SP: I absolutely love connecting with the fans. There is nothing to substitute that one on one connection that happens at a live show. It’s completely and totally magic. We are all looking for a piece of ourselves in the story, and it’s so beautiful to see music making an impact. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
- Who would you love to collaborate with?
-SP: I think I can probably just get in the back of the very long line at this point, but I’d love to collaborate with Brandi Carlile. I’d love to work with her on one of my future records.
- Favorite thing to do on a day off?
- SP: I love to be home! Touring gets so crazy sometimes, so it’s nice to have peace and quiet. My perfect day off looks like waking up in my own bed, making a delicious oat milk latte, chilling in my bathrobe, playing with my puppies, and working on projects around the house. I love cooking also, so on my days off I like to chef up something gourmet.
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Sarah Peacock, a product of the Atlanta suburbs, growing up in the town of Lawrenceville. In Nashville Peacock did what most youths do: she performed in the church as part of band and choir, as well as in stage musicals in high school. Forbidden to listen to any secular music, it wasn’t until much later that she sought out popular music like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt and country icons Dolly and Reba.
Her new album, Burn the Witch (Out March 27th) aims to uproot what we think we know about the world. Peacock works her magic across every single moment, each syllable diligently carrying its weight and heart. The music is expertly packaged and delivered with a sense of urgency while never feeling heavy-handed or exploitative. Burn the Witch is about truth and understanding of humanity, and Peacock will not back down until the whole world is listening. |
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