We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Gargano a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been much more geared towards creative pursuits than anything else. I was always complimented on my writing in English classes and when I got a little karaoke machine in first grade or so I became obsessed with singing along to things in my room, particularly noting all the lyrics I liked. I’d write down lyrics on my hands and in my notebooks. When I was bullied in middle school, Taylor Swift’s music seemed to come out at that exact time to comfort me, and I saw the magic in how much solace art could provide someone within myself. I only hope to be able to do that for someone with my music and art!

Sarah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

With my jewelry business (The Crafty Songwriter), started making book/tv show/movie earrings and beaded bags for myself during COVID just because I really wanted them. And just about a year ago I randomly found some charms and turned them into a necklace and when I was at a party the following night, multiple people asked me where I bought it and when I said I made it, they’d say they’d pay me to make them one ASAP. And so the business was born. It’s still very small – I’m still working on a better website, but it’s also a fun way for me to make more money on the side of my music project.

With my music, I kind of oscillate between genres – from anti folk to pop punk, etc. But what always remains true is my lyrical focus and clever way of wording things. I’ve just finished a song and music video and am preparing for my first big release in 3 years!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

This is a funny question with the music industry because it’s always changing – it seems by the day. For instance, Tik Tok wasn’t even really a thing when I released my last EP in 2020 right before COVID, so now I’m trying to figure out how to navigate the new music landscape for my upcoming release.

With my jewelry, I’m still learning because it’s so new for me!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think a lot of my artist friends struggle with comparing themselves and their career paths to their non-artist friends (myself included!). I think it’s important to remember how different our paths are and also that success isn’t linear. You might feel like you achieved a lot one week and the next like you’ve never accomplished anything in your life. Pursuing art comes with so much insecurity. But I think it’s so worth it to pursue art over something that will leave you bored and miserable!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/sarahgargano29 and instagram.com.the.crafty.songwriter
• Facebook: Facebook.com/sarahgarganomusic
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/exQWOK7twOk?si=WcUGbsYdsrqbM-Ki

Image Credits
Noga Ackerman, Amanda Book, and Ana Silvia