EQUATE Introducing Low Girl
“I naively hope that there’s something for everyone on this EP because I know how much it can help to know you’re not alone in something you feel.”
Since starting to write songs at the age of 12 in her hometown of Hemel Hempstead, Low Girl (aka Sara) has always used the process as a ‘coping mechanism’, something which is evident throughout her music. Recently releasing her new single and visuals for ‘Big Now’, taken from her debut EP of the same name., the 5-track collection’s narrative was dictated by Low Girl’s own struggle with OCD, as she explains: “The overwhelming presence of this disorder in my writing very much reflects my reality, except it feels like I get the final say in my songs. Sertraline takes back control of all the difficult intrusive thoughts and imagines a future where I am as unphased by the world as I was when I was a child. Thematically, the ‘Big Now’ EP explores feelings of loss, apathy and self-doubt across five tracks, ranging from the irresistible alt-pop of lead single ‘Big Now’, to the restrained indie-folk of ‘Lovable Maybe’ and closing with the grandiose and hopeful ‘Sertraline’. We speak to Low Girl about ‘Big Now’ and delve into her artistry and musical plans.
Read the full feature below…
Words & Interview by Danielle Temeng
EQ: Hello – welcome to EQUATE! Can you tell us a little about yourself, and who or what inspired you towards the path of music?
LG: I’m Sarah from Low Girl and I love watching films rated below a 3 on IMDB. I started on this path as a result of feeling super lonely and alienated at the start of secondary school.
EQ:…and in terms of musical artists who do you look to for inspiration?
LG: I think at the moment I’d mainly say Clairo, Perfume Genius and Phoebe Bridgers!
EQ: If you could describe your sound in three words what would they be and why?
LG: Melancholy, Alt, Pop – I’m really melody-driven and that usually makes my songs quite poppy, but the instrumentation we create as a band is more alternative and the lyrics are, of course, usually sad.
EQ: You’ve been songwriting since you were 12 years old – apart from maturing, how would you say your music has developed since you began? Do the same things still bring out your creativity?
LG: I think musically it’s not enough for me to just write a good verse and chorus anymore, there needs to be a lot more going on musically to reflect the emotional intensity of the lyrics. The same things definitely still bring out my creativity though, it’s always just venting and trying to cope through writing.
EQ: And on creativity, do you have any other outlets aside from music? If so, what are they and how does it enhance your artistry?
LG: I wish I did but there’s genuinely nothing that helps me express those difficult feelings so well. I’m not very assertive so all the hurt and anger I feel has nowhere to go but inwards. Videogames and walks are a good distraction, but it doesn’t deal with the issue!
EQ: From some slight social stalking I could it interesting that you stated that you’re “formally known as Sara, latterly known as Low Girl”, what is the difference between those two entities or where does Sara stop and Low Girl begin?
LG: I think Sara is still very much the base songwriting side of things, and Low Girl is all about taking that further and pushing the palatability of the arrangements to another place.
“…I think musically it’s not enough for me to just write a good verse and chorus anymore, there needs to be a lot more going on musically to reflect the emotional intensity of the lyrics.”
EQ: You recently released your new track and visuals to ‘Big Now’ and it’s taken from your upcoming EP of the same name. What was your creative vision behind this new project, and has it come to fruition?
LG: We really wanted to allude to some difficult themes like climate change and apathy while juxtaposing everything in bright colours and nintendo-y sounds. I definitely think it came to fruition and the video was shot for shot how it was planned, and it’s been really useful to have a strong visual identity when it comes to the posts and promotional side of things!
EQ: And what’s your process like? Do you like to work mainly alone or collaboratively?
LG: There are certain parts of the process I find hard to do collaboratively – even if the song starts to come about in a rehearsal. I’ll write and refine the lyrics, melody, and structure by myself, then bring it back into rehearsals and work on building it with the boys.
EQ: Which would you say is your favourite track of the 5, and overall, what do you hope fans and listeners take away from this body of work?
LG: I think I have a real soft spot for Sertraline because it’s one of those songs that really grounds me every time, I perform it. It’s just really cathartic and ends on this hopeful note that keeps me moving. I naively hope that there’s something for everyone on this EP because I know how much it can help to know you’re not alone in something you feel.
EQ: With outside open again are you planning any live performances? What can we also expect from you as the year progresses – can you let us in on any EQUATE exclusives?
LG: We’re currently putting together a mini socially distanced tour! Hopefully, that will take place at the start of the summer. An exclusive would be that we are planning another EP already, with a wrestling-themed music video…
YouTube/Low Girl
Stream ‘Big Now’ HERE
Taken from the ‘Big Now’ EP, Pre-save HERE
Keep up with Low Girlon socials
Facebook: Low Girl Low Girl
Instagram: @lowgirllowgirl
Twitter: @lowgirllowgirl
TikTok: @lowgirllowgirl