AWAY FROM THE NOISE
SAD13 HAVING OTHER PROJECTS...
I’ve played music my whole life but never expected it to become my source of income. Home recording was my diversion from OTHER commitments. I still have a bunch of songs on old hard drives with matter-of-fact titles like “New Song in Calculus” - I'd scribble down song ideas during lectures and hurry back to my dorm to make demos. Working random jobs since I was a young teen, I'd write songs after hours or on breaks, but when Speedy Ortiz became full time, I had to re-train my brain. You’re not really “escaping” into songwriting when the work you’re escaping from is performing other songs you’ve written. I’m lucky I have non-musical interests to dive into, like running. Training for races on tour is a cool way to get to see a city. Plus it Words by Sadie Dupuis
helps ground me in my body, adds structure to the chaos of travel, and helps alleviate the chronic pain that touring exacerbates. It’s nice to have something I do without any expectation of doing it well. Engaging with other forms of writing helps energize me too. I published my first poetry book in 2018, have been working on a second manuscript over the past couple years, and started a poetry journal through my label, Wax Nine, editing and publishing bi-weekly issues since April. But music is my main thing, and I’m lucky I have a few projects to rotate between to keep it from feeling like a chore. The last two shows I played before quarantine were for charity - a tribute to David Berman, for which I learned 20+ Silver Jews songs on guitar, and Hot Stove Cool Music, an annual covers revue 21
that unites MLB baseball players and musicians in all-star bands to raise money for education. Over quarantine, I’ve been able to play with, produce for or remix a number of remote collaborators. And I’ve helped organize or contributed to nearly a dozen different benefit compilations. Part of why I got into playing in bands was to make friends and community. Being reminded of music’s power to unite by working on other artists’ songs keeps me inspired when it’s time to get back to my own writing." Sadie Dupuis is the frontperson, songwriter and producer in the bands Speedy Ortiz and Sad13. Her most recent album, Sad13’s "Haunted Painting", came out in September on Wax Nine. Photography by Natalie Piserchio
