K-R&B Powerhouse SAAY Talks Seoul Inspiration and Starting From Scratch

With her suave vocals, atmospheric beats, and fiery choreography, K-R&B singer-songwriter SAAY is taking her artistry to new heights as she rises back up the scene as a solo artist—creating music on her own terms and striving to be remembered for a sound distinctively hers.

Busan-born SAAY is no stranger to the business. She first dipped into music in 2012 and rose up as a solo artist a few years later—releasing her first full-length record, CLAASSIC armed with great knowledge in the process, enabling her to create everything herself—from lyrics, production, choreography, all the way to writing for music videos—based on her own rules. Coming from a family deeply-rooted from a musical background, she has always been immersed in a melodic world and this became the gateway to finding her passion. “As far as I can remember regarding my childhood, all my family members played musical instruments [and] knew how to dance and sing. Each of them were playing their own music,” she tells, sharing the icon responsible for being the catalyst for her decision to pursue a music career. “The biggest starting point was the concert footage of Michael Jackson my parents showed me. After watching his videos, I began to imitate his gestures, facial expressions, and vocals. Ever since, I decided to seek path as a singer.”

“I had a lot of hard times [but] those difficult moments were also filled with the joy of making songs. Music is the root of my existential struggles but it is also my only way to relieve my stress.”

Now with her redebut and coming up with such a diverse record—ranging from funky ‘90s-inspired grooves to easy-going pop tunes and smooth, sultry melodies, SAAY aims to go beyond the confines; expressing a love for every genre and forgetting any limitations when it comes to her sonic creations. “The genres of R&B, hip-hop and pop were the ones that most influenced me in my childhood. But all the while I was growing up, I also liked rock and heavy metal, like Metallica, x-Japan, and Megadeth. I also enjoyed classical music and jazz. I love every genre of music that crosses my head just now. I don't want to be limited to just one.” Experimentation means different things to different people but for SAAY, it’s stepping out of her comfort zone and making a mark.

“These days, many musicians find it important to be famous online but while I know that fame is an important factor in becoming a big musician, I’d like to focus more on the integrity of my music as an art form.”

CLAASSIC is the pièce de résistance in her current journey as a flourishing performer; aiming to establish an authentic expression and solidify her identity as a female artist in a predominantly male industry—tackling self-reflection and facets of love. “The process of working on this album was the biggest challenge and adventure in my life. It's an album about who I am and what I do. Before reaching out to a bigger audience, I had to take care of the root—my identity, through my first debut album.” Intertwining between pop, R&B, and bilingual lyrics sang in Korean and English, SAAY weaves her soundscape around three concepts, “As you can hear from track 8 of my last album, the core factors of my life are time, energy, and love. This is an album that describes myself with these three things.”

Flying to Manila for the first time to perform alongside DEAN, we got to know SAAY a little more as she delves deep into her South Korean roots, taking full control of her craft, and the future at hand.

How did growing up in South Korea influence your artistry? And with Seoul being such a cultural hotbed of music, fashion, and art, how did all these diverse elements inspire you in any way?

Seoul is the city of inspiration. It is full of passionate artists and you can see their work wherever you go. All the sources I make music from, from visual to audial, are easily accessible to anyone. It’s hard to choose and pick one thing that inspired me; from daily exhibitions to many of my friends who are leading trends in fashion and the indie music scene, etc., everything naturally comes together as a holistic cultural inspiration. I am thrilled to absorb all of this.

You made your debut last year as a solo artist. Coming into the scene again, what was the biggest challenge you faced when you started out? And what changed within your artistry?

Through my first full-length album, CLAASSIC, which was released in May this year, I tried blending in various factors that I had not attempted before. Though I made my debut last year, it felt as if I was making a new debut again. In this process, I had to consistently discover new sides of myself in order to articulate my story more clearly. So I had a lot of hard times [but] those difficult moments were also filled with the joy of making songs. Music is the root of my existential struggles but it is also my only way to relieve my stress.

Now that you have complete control of your music, how would you describe your creative process? How do your ideas take form when shaping your songs and visuals?

I am inspired by all different source of elements around me ranging from people, time, nature, etc. There are times when we easily forget how precious all passing moments are and live without appreciating because we grow so natural to these. I like to keep all these passing thoughts in my diary or music notes. And they later become the source of my songs and albums.

As an R&B artist, how do you innovate your sound and style of music apart from others who are singing the same genre?

I find it distinct that I produce everything on my own—from composing lyrics to designing artwork, writing screenplays for music videos, and even choreography for the dance. I cannot think of creating something that’s not purely mine, or made by someone else. These days, many musicians find it important to be famous online but while I know that fame is an important factor in becoming a big musician, I’d like to focus more on the integrity of my music as an art form.

CLAASSIC’s collective theme centers a lot on love. As a singer-songwriter, can you say that the compositions involved in your album closely relate to you personally? And do you think it’s vital for a musician to have a firsthand experience on the things they write about (such as heartbreak) in order for it to take form well?

It differs from person to person but I do think it is vital for musicians to write about something they have experienced themselves. I write about everything I have seen, felt, or experienced when I write songs. I think there is a limit to creating art based on imagination alone.

My album is all about my experiences and the contents of my real life.

What has been the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? And what’s one you can offer to young people who are also aspiring to be musicians?

My parents always told me not to be greedy and just to follow my heart. Because the more you empty yourself, the more there is space to fill. “Life is short, art lives long,” I would like to say.

What are your plans for the future? What’s coming up for SAAY in 2019?

I am currently preparing a new album which will be coming out soon. You can look forward to it in winter next year. Thank you, Manila, mahal ko kayo!

Photographed by Jerick Sanchez

Fashion direction by Steffi Solano

Styled by Steffi Solano and RJ Roque