We recently connected with Sarah Swensen and have shared our conversation below.
Sarah , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I have been surrounded by music my whole life. Growing up, my Grammy taught me to sing songs while she played the piano. Sharing those moments together are a very special memory for me and has bonded us in a way I do not have with anyone else in my life. Through my own struggles with mental health, I relied on music as a source of comfort and support. As a mental health therapist, I have used music as a way to connect and help people navigate some of their hardest times in their lives. As a songwriter, my goal is to write songs that highlight mental health and be an inspiration for empowerment and resilience. My single that came out on September 22,2023, RISE, was written to focus on the best way to overcome any obstacles or trauma is to face it. I have also struggled with depression & anxiety due to past trauma so this song is very personal.
Since my ultimate goal is to be a songwriter, I wanted to have the focus of the single to be on the message – staying strong and being resilient, even when it seems impossible. I had a pre-release show on September 20,2023 to raise money for a local non-profit, TN Voices. TN Voice’s mission is to build hope for all generations and guide mental health transformation in TN. I used to work closely with children and adolescents when I was a full time Licensed Clinical Social Worker, which is why I chose this non-profit since they do a lot to help the same population.
I chose two important people to also be a part of the release show. Tyler Crifasi, a talented cowriter and close friend who has always been there for me professionally and personally since day 1, and Ava Suppelsa, the co-writer on this song who helped me bring my idea to life. Ava Suppelsa is an extremely talented songwriter and won Songwriter of the Year with Canadian Country Music Awards for being a cowriter on the song “Relationship Goals” released by Steven Lee Olsen. Ava also runs her own non profit – Hope On The Row, a Nashville-based non-profit that serves the unhoused community in middle TN.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Originally from New Jersey, I moved to Nashville 5 years ago because of my love of music. Growing up, I was heavily involved in choirs and music programs in my town. I received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and planned on having a private practice as a full time career until I discovered songwriting. I have always admired the power of music and have a passion for helping people put their emotions into songs that will hopefully relate to others.
I hope to get a publishing deal and help give artists their voice, while also still being an active member of the Nashville writer’s rounds scene. Another long term goal of mine is to release an EP that highlights mental health, since it’s a cause I am passionate about.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My mission is to use my creative writing and musical skills in order to write songs that resonate with people on a deeper level. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love writing sassy, upbeat songs, and when I do I try to highlight the empowerment of the singer. When people are able to hear a song that touches on a subject not typically discussed and makes someone feel less alone in this world, I feel like I’m making a difference. Countless times I have used songs to process emotions with clients and I hope someday a song that I have written would be considered an inspiration for someone.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I love seeing/hearing/reading people’s reactions to the songs that I write. It could be laughter, or even nods of a head when they agree or relate to the song’s message. With my recent release Rise, I have had one lady come up to me in tears after I was done saying that she experienced a loss of her husband and it resonated with her a lot and it really touched her. It is moments like those is why I continue to play writer’s rounds on a regular basis.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahswensenmusic.om
- Instagram: @sarahswensenmusic
- Facebook: facebook.com/sarahswensenmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR1JNHGLZrM5jxwKd9O0Adg
Image Credits
Braincandy, NashBashCollective,