Her second song released in 2021, Sydney-based alt-pop artist Sarah Yagki continues to explore darker pop sounds with 'Shared Eyes' – a track built on rhythm, seductive grooves and stirring vocals.
"'Shared Eyes' acts as a storybook to retelling my distant relationship with a parent," Sarah shares."The verse, I created to represent me as a child and the song transitions through my teenage years. "I've been writing songs since I was 13 and quite often, they come quickly to me.
"'Shared Eyes' was actually written over many years as the subject matter was constantly evolving as I was growing with the song."
Sarah plays a sold-out, home-town show at The Vanguard 19 May.
Who is... My name is Sarah Yagki and I'm an inner-west, Sydney-based alternative pop artist. I've been a vocalist and writing for about ten years-plus and have in the last four years been focusing on releasing and working with my band supporting my music.
We sound like... A blend of Avril Lavigne with dark pop sounds, lyrics heavily inspired by poetry and a larger-than life soundscape that has been crafted with Yagki's personal experience she has laid out in her music.
Our first gig was... Our first major headliner is on 19 May at The Vanguard. We've sold out the evening two months prior to the show and we're spending our time practising, rehearsing and getting prepared for an amazing night.
When did you settle on the group's name... I decided to go by Sarah Yagki as a major part of my music is ensuring it has a sensibility and authenticity of who I am, and to use my name was another way for me to connect to my audience.
I also kept my surname Yagki as it is the most unique part of my name and this was something I wanted to have as part of the music and stories I write about in my art.
In the studio I usually... Come in with an idea, melody or chord progression, or I have the song lyrics, melody and chords finished.
Through a collaborative process, I then work with my producer to create the sounds I want to represent my music and then lay down the vocals. My go-to in the studio is honey and lemon tea, which is a must have.
If I could tour with anyone... It would be Blake Rose at the moment. He is an Australian artist who originates from Perth, and his songwriting along with his ability to capture a crowd through his blend of storytelling and jaw-dropping vocals is incredible.
My favourite app at the moment is... Timetree. Sounds super geeky, but I love my organisation, calendars and this app is an organisational tool I live off for all my music, personal and general day-to-day tasks.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was... My producer sending a photo to my managers of me happily chomping away on some Doritos in the studio.
It was extremely funny as he sent the photo with the caption: 'Here's Sarah working hard in the studio!' As he'd captured me on a break and this was definitely something that makes me laugh thinking back.
Life on the road... Is something that I haven't experienced as much at the moment, but I am looking forward to getting the chance to perform, explore and be on the road with my team.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I'd ask our rider has... Is lemons, honey and some hot water for my tea and potentially a Red Bull. Also potentially strawberries. Who doesn't love strawberries.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in was... Being in the process of moving out of a home. I'd been in for three years this year during the process of getting an AVO out on a past partner.
This was something that I worked through and taking these major steps in my life to prioritise my happiness, health and safety was scary, and I am continuing to write and process these moments.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson? I'd love to be the spokesperson for Mothica. She's recently blown up in the music scene overseas and her punk/ pop with blends of rock sound and her honesty and musical sensibility is incredible, and I could talk about it for hours.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? It would be either London or The States at the moment.
At the moment, my focus is growth in my career, music and my personal development, and I feel these two large places would be the best to help me enhance myself as a musician, artist, and as my own person.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I'd either cook grilled chicken with avocado, veggies and either mash or rice.
Otherwise, with my Lebanese background I’d make a lamb dish with a red sauce, rice and potatoes. I grew up with this and have always known it from my dad as 'kofta and red sauce' from a kid, so I'm sure there's a technical term for it, but we will go with this.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I absolutely LOVE animals, any sort of animal I love and my favourite animal is a duck. Very odd, but I absolutely love ducklings.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Unicorn Elixir. I found this small business in Canberra at the Easter Show and supported them buying a bottle and I'm absolutely in love with the Tropical Vodka liqueur. I also hope when the question was about 'a case' it was regarding something alcoholic or this could be awkward!
The last time I saw an inside of a gym was... Last week actually. I'm trying to train about three, four times a week but had a massive working weekend so I also need to prioritise my general health and it's very hard with long days to go to the gym.
I don't get upset when I don't go, but I'm actively getting myself in the habit of three, four times a week.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Taking the bins out and deep cleaning the bathroom. Both chores have intense smells at times, whether it's from the bin or the cleaning products, and this makes me dislike them.
Do you have any phobias? I have a bug phobia. Whenever I'm with my someone and I'd see a bug I will run to the furthest corner of the room and decline to help as I'm petrified.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I would to be honest, take part in 'Big Brother'. It's very cheesy I know, but it was something I grew up with my step mother loving, so there's a secret part of me where if the chance came, I'd probably take it.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? I'd probably target some of my cousins and/ or brother.
The 'boys group' in my family is my brother and cousins who are all around my age, and I love them to bits but we are close and I do see them as friends too. So I'd totally prank them!
Wouldn't know how yet, they are pretty good, so I'd probably think of some things they've done and use it against them. Mwahah!
Best local takeaway joint for a 2am feed that will leave you with a food coma? Undiscovered at this point. I've recently moved closer to the city and I haven't had a chance to check out places or really be up at that time to check it out, so any local suggestions I'd be totally down for trying.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? The Doctor played by Matt Smith, the eleventh doctor in 'Doctor Who'. His bubbly personality with his quirky nature would totally be me.
Last show you binge-watched (and what kept you glued to the screen)? I have a secret obsession with 'Vampire Diaries'.
I think I haven't grown out of pre-teen phase and I don't watch TV a lot, but I had surgery last year and had complications that put me in the hospital over the weekend. This meant I had heaps of time alone due to COVID restricting visitors, so I accidentally put myself in a binge with it.
I only watch it now if I need to force myself to relax and watch something, so the fact it has heaps of seasons helps.
