Sarah May

Pop Singer on The Move

Sarah May is the artistic name of Vancouver-based pop singer Sarah May-Shogan. Sarah entwines dark-based themes into her pop/alt music, inspired by the sounds of rain falling on water, waves at her head, and overcast days at sea.

In 2020 she debuted with her EP: It Feels Real, with her first single, “2 Minutes”, released January 23rd. A musical interpretation of the end of the world.

This song was featured on the popular radio show “Sound Resistance”.

On February 21st, 2020 her next single “It Feels Real”, the title track of the EP debuts. Inspired by late-night conversations with a late friend about alternate realities.

March brought her third release “Universal”, followed in May by the fourth release “Before I Go”, and in June her final release of “A Song of Somebody”, represented by independent record label Gateway Records on their all-compilation album “Pop Right Now”.

Evoking feelings of fear, trauma, violence, and sadness, this EP features the talents of producers such as Wildxyouths and Tundra Beats. It Feels Real is about perception, emotion, consequence, and reality as we know it. A Langley native, Sarah has been working on the EP for the better part of 3 years, having released her debut with Spinnup. With a peaked interest in alternate realities and human behaviour. Sarah is currently an unsigned talent, working on her first full-length album.

How did you get started?

I’ve always been very interested in poetry and lyrics. I would watch lyric videos of my favourite songs over and over again. I’d write my own poetry or letters to myself almost everyday. It always made me feel better. As I got older and in my late teens, I started writing lyrics to music I would find and that’s how it started for me.

Who are your favorite bands/singers?

Right now I listen to OkGo, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Lizzo, Halsey, WILLOW, Dua Lipa, Mother Mother, BTS, iyla, Scott Helman, Tasha The Amazon. So many others… I love new music.

What do you think about when your preforming?

I don’t really think when I perform a song. I’ve not had a chance to perform my own music, but when I do sing for others, all I really feel is this euphoric sensation. It just feels really good and natural.

What else can we expect from you in the future?

Right now I’m working on my first full length album. I want a complete body of work out there and to really establish myself as a serious artist. I’m expecting it to be finished by 2021. I’m also hoping to start performing at smaller venues as the opportunities arise.

When did you first start singing?

All my life. As soon as I could speak words, I was singing. My family is very musical and it was always encouraged. I’ve always been very shy though, so I often sing to myself instead of around others.

What did your family do to encourage you?

As I got older and poetry started to really become apart of my life, my parents were very adamant that my poems sounded like songs and encouraged me to consider writing songs for other artists. I did attempt this for some time, but my songs were always so personal to me, so my parents encouraged me to consider becoming a recording artist myself.

Have you always enjoyed the art of music?

Yes, always. Every kid dreams about being a rockstar. As I got older, those thoughts never left me. As school children we are told to think about our futures, “realistically”. I just couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. It’s what I was meant to do. And I know there was never a moment that it dawned on me, it was just something I did, because it felt so right.

Any loves, other then music?

I love art. Sculpture, painting, drawing, and digital art. I’m also extremely fascinated with the study of metaphysics.

What was the best advice ever given to you?

Always try to be the dumbest person in the room. If you surround yourself with people who know more than you, then you have so much to learn. If you’re the smartest person in the room you have nothing to gain.

If you could have any style, what would it be?

I like to dress very chic. I’m a bit of a tomboy, so I always fall to more masculine clothes. I do enjoy a formal dress.

What kind of music do you listen to today?

I listen to a lot of R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop Music, and Alternative. My music taste is always fluctuating and changing. My playlists are the most disorganized mess of artists and genres you’ve ever seen.

What embarrassing songs might we find on your playlist?

I don’t think it’s embarrassing, but the amount of One Direction I listen to is astronomical. I love boybands.

Where would you most like to perform?

I’m from British Columbia and I love Vancouver, so my bucket list is definitely Rogers Arena.

Who would you most like to open for?

The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Harry Styles. So many great artists I would love to open for, but those come to mind first.

If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?

If I weren’t singing, I would go into film. I love post-production, especially for music videos.

Do you play any instruments?

I don’t professionally play any instruments, but I have a piano I use often.

If you could dabble in another genre of music, what would it be?

I love Hip-Hop and I’d say, I’m very influenced by so many Hip-Hop artists. I’d want to explore the genre more, but I’m not sure how well I’d do as a Hip-Hop performer.

What hidden talents do you have?

I’d say art (drawing and painting). I love editing photos and things like that, but I don’t think I’d be able to make a career out of it. I also love photography.

Do you enjoy writing music and/or lyrics?

I love it. It comes very naturally to me. I feel so calm and well when I’m writing lyrics.

What is your favorite quote to say to other?

“Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in.” - Leonard Cohen

Do you have a website or social media for our readers?

You can follow my on Twitter @SarahMayMusic1 or on instagram @sarahmayshogan