Satya just got back to Oakland, and before she got too settled in, Melodic Magazine sat down to talk about her debut album, Yellow House. She sounded grounded and just happy to be back around the redwoods and nature.
This album is a huge deal for Satya, marking the end of a long journey that started back in 2020. Recorded in Nashville with producer Colin Linden, Yellow House really maps out her life, tracing her path from nature-filled Oakland to the humid streets of New Orleans. It’s a record that lets Americana, soul, and jazz all live in the same space, reflecting on childhood memories.
Melodic Magazine: We’re getting close to the release, or for the debut of Yellow House. You started working on those in 2020, is that right? How does it feel physically and emotionally to finally get this out to the world?
Satya: I have a big mixture of feelings. I’m proud, and it feels like a very big release to me. This project has been living in me for a really long time, and it’s so personal. I had to feel mentally ready to let go of it, and I finally feel that way. It’s really exciting.
A lot of your work is really personal. How do you decide when a story is ready to be shared with the world, especially things that are so vulnerable?
Satya: Sometimes I just know when something’s done. Other times, it takes the people around me to be like, “Girl, it’s time.” Especially my managers, we’ve made hundreds of versions of these songs. But I also remind myself that it’s not just about me anymore. I try to think of the music that helped me through hard times. What would have happened if those artists never released those songs because they were too heavy? I try to do that for myself and just let it go.
Totally get that. You’ve shared the stage with legends like Jason Isbell and Macy Gray. Was there anything you learned from being on stage with greats like them?
Satya: Being at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville with Jason Isbell was just magical. I was already a fan, and I just took away how much I admire their dedication. Jason is such an amazing, genuine person, and his music is so beautiful and vulnerable. Seeing the crowd’s reaction to him being himself and open. I saw how much beauty that attracted into his life. It inspired me and reminded me that we’re all just people.
What are you listening to right now?
Satya: Every time somebody asks, I can’t remember! But I love Olivia Dean, that newer album is perfect. I’m listening to the band Alvvays a ton right now, and I love Lady Wray.
You’re very open about exploring childhood trauma and recovery. Do you feel like there’s been a shift in the industry encouraging more vulnerability in R&B and folk crossovers?
Satya: I think so. I hope we see more of it. Original soul and blues have always been vulnerable and intense, but there’s been so much genre-bending in the last few years. I hope to see more of that vulnerability instead of people just sticking in one lane.
What inspired you to genre-bend in your own music?
Satya: I don’t think it was conscious.I pull from whatever inspires me like jazz, blues, folk, and some country. It all bleeds together. I just gravitate towards what feels good. I love live instrumentation and inviting people from different backgrounds, like a church background, to the stage to see how they all blend.
You recently released “Project 10,” which explores the struggle to remain hopeful. Why was it important for that to be one of the first things you put out?
Satya: It’s one of my favorite songs from the album and represents the energy of the project. I wrote it when I was really stuck and hated everything I was writing. I told myself, “I’m just going to make a stupid song, whatever.” It ended up being my favorite. I wanted to release it first just for myself.
Is there a reason why it’s your favorite?
Satya: I love the tempo and the solo. It’s the first guitar solo I’ve released. It feels very visual to me; it just sucks me into it. It’s also really fun to play live.
What can fans expect from the Yellow House live experience?
Satya: They might expect to cry. I’m really excited to do live arrangements and rearrange things for the band. Live performance is my favorite part of all of this; I’m drawn to the atmosphere and the energy in the room. This project is a heavy one, but I hope it’s a healing space where people feel comfortable enough to connect and share their own stories.
What’s the one taste of home in Oakland you miss the most when you’re gone?
Satya: I miss the nature so much. I just got back a few days ago and felt like I could finally breathe. I’m a very outdoorsy person, so I love being near the water, seeing the mountains, and the redwoods. The smell here is very fresh.
Do you have a specific ritual or space you use before you start writing?
Satya: I’ll journal for a really long time before starting. I free-write. I set a timer for 10 minutes and just don’t lift the pen. It feels silly, but it’s a way to get out of my own head and subconsciously bring forth the hidden stuff. And even though I love recording in a clean space, I’ve recently been setting up my whole studio in bed. I’ve been recording in bed a lot lately.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about the album or the tour?
Satya: This album has been a really long time coming. I’m just excited to play it live and see how everybody absorbs it.
You can pre-save Yellow House on your favorite streaming platform, now.
Keep up with Satya: Instagram // YouTube // TikTok
