A Conversation with Saphir

Vocally compelling and musically gifted L.A. based vocalist Saphir is a powerhouse for moving lyrics, versatile music, and barrier breaking in the underground community. Over the years, she has released music with some of the highest respected names in the industry, such as Rozz Dyliams, Lil Tracy, and Brennan Savage. Successfully creating music that can be classified as anything from hip hop to EDM to disco, she has allowed her listeners a 4 year journey of musical growth; showcasing sound after sound, never settling in one style for too long. One thing is consistent when describing Saphir’s journey as a musician; she has remained true to herself, never straying from her identity as a “Jewish girl who never got out of her scene phase.” Saphir allowed us a moment of her time to discuss many aspects of her career and life – from confirmation to new music on the way, her relationship with fellow artist gizmo, how her heritage has taught her much on this journey, and much, much more.

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UU: So where are you from? What was it like growing up there?

Saphir: I was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and later moved to California. I lived in a few places, San Francisco at one point in the beginning, and then Los Angeles. It was just a really cool experience. Everything is super convenient. One weekend you can go to Hollywood, the next you can go to the beach. There’s so many shows happening too. Take a bus, take an uber, take a car… it’s really just the best place to be.

How exactly did you never get out of your scene phase?

As early as I can remember, and as early as I can remember being in middle school, I was just so fascinated with MySpace. It was just my first outbreak to music, I was listening to all these bands. Over the years I would go to different genres, but I would always go back to the Emo sound because it just felt right. And now its more accepted, it’s kind of made a revamp. There was a time it was accepted, then a time where people were like “Why the fuck are you still wearing heavy eyeliner and band tees?” Now it’s like, accepted again. I can wear my heavy eyeliner, I can do this freely, thrive, perform, do whatever the hell I want.

What drove you to start making music?

Basically, when I was 12 or 13, I was just learning how to sing. Even that young I thought “Damn, I’m really good at this.” I had this feeling that even though I’m young, and I don’t really understand what I’m doing, that this is it, and my calling in a way. I was in band for a bit, but It was hard working with people because it was just a bunch of people telling me what to make when I know what to make. So, I just kept going and going, and social media played a big part into it as well.  High school pushed me because people told me that I wouldn’t go anywhere and my music wasn’t good, but I was like “No, my music is good, you’re just mean.” Now I’m at a point where I’m really getting there. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Who are some of your largest musical influences?

Avenged Sevenfold, they were probably my first rock band, and they were my first show. Slipknot, always a huge influence. And their singer Corey Taylor, I admire the fuck out of him. He’s so multi talented. NeverShoutNever Christofer Drew was one of the first people I really admired as well. His voice was amazing, the songwriting was 10/10. Even being 13 I would look at him and think, wow, this performance is out of this world. One more would probably an be album, rather than a specific artist; Dying Is Your Latest Fashion by Escape The Fate. The whole thing is a huge influence on my music, songwriting wise, musically, everything.

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Who is your dream collaboration?

I’d want to one day have Dave Grohl produce an album of mine. Also Christopher Drew and Corey Taylor as I mentioned before. Honestly, a lot of rock ‘n roll type people. Even Synyster Gates would be cool, just playing guitar on one of my albums some time.

I have all these huge dreams from childhood that I really like to hold on to, because now they’re possible.

Where do you draw your inspiration from when you’re writing lyrics?

Just a lot of pain. Everything that’s hurt me or frustrated me. I don’t really have any other outlet to talk about my problems. Growing up, I dealt with a  lot of what you could call depression. I’ve never been great at handling things, or processing them. I can find the core of any problem I may have and explain it through my music.

What is your most personal song, and why?

I wouldn’t say I have a very personal sound out yet. It’s more situational, I guess. I will be releasing a song, however, called “Melatonin.” That song is basically  100% what I am feeling and thinking at all times. I should be releasing it this month or next, so keep a lookout!

You’ve mentioned your Jewish heritage on social media. Is that something that has influenced you, or shaped you in any way musically?

I wouldn’t say musically, but culturally yes. Growing up I wasn’t super into my culture, but as I’ve grown older, visited Israel, and learned more about it I’ve realized how rich of a culture it is. I see all these aspects of the culture in me, even though I grew up in California. I do the traditions, celebrate the holidays, and observe what Judaism stands for. There are a lot of strong morals, and positive messages. Most Jews I’ve met are some of the hardest working, honest people I’ve ever met, and I’m super about that. A lot of these people decided to leave Israel, or whatever country they’re from, and have worked their asses off. They did it 100%.

What was a moment where you realized you weren’t being treated equally since you are a woman in the music industry? How have you combated the industry’s inequality?

One specific instance that stands out to me, it was one with a producer. There have been others but this one really struck me. We had gotten into this argument, and he told me, basically, that “Your worth is just pussy. The only way you’re going to get around is by sleeping around, and that’s all your worth.” It kind of hit me like, “How fucking dare you say that about me.” It made me feel like there are any of the other girls performing sold out shows? Where are the girls getting put on by other artists? Why aren’t we getting any of that spot light? Realistically, there isn’t a single person who’s putting females on. We really don’t get that recognition we deserve. And yes, on the top 40 radio there are female artists and there is representation, but in our little community that we’ve built, I haven’t heard of one person doing it [Putting on female artists.] I’ve spoken to some other girls in this industry, and they really agree. We don’t have that kind of recognition, and we have to work so hard to get it. Anytime we try to talk about it we’re told “No, you need to shut up, because we’re not required to help you.” We’re very emotional creatures, and were trying to be vulnerable while also being strong and sharing some of our most personal, fragile thoughts.

I’ve seen it face to face, I’ve had people say awful things to me. But I do feel like this is something that needs to be talked about. One blog article here, one show there; Like, NO. We need to be doing something about this, we need someone sticking up for these girls. Let’s start a tour, or something.

Tell us what it’s like dating gizmo. How is it balancing your personal lives with your lives as artists? Are there ever any creative quarrels?

It’s a rollercoaster, it’s fun. He’s probably the coolest boyfriend I’ve ever had, he’s loving and caring. We both try to respectively do our own things, and balance out musical lives and our private lives. I like to see him succeed just as much as everyone, I believe in him a lot. Of course there’s moments where I’m like “Oh my god, boyfriend!’ but other times I’m like “Oh my god, no, he’s also gizmo.”

It works, it does. It’s a very special relationship. I want to see him, he’s gotta go to the studio, then he want to see me and I’m off to the studio. It gets difficult, but it’s all about learning from it and growing.

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How is it making music with him? Does your connection help at all during the writing and recording process? Do you have any plans to make more music together?

We actually made that song before we met, and he sent it to me and I was like “Oh my God, in love.” We actually just finished a song last week, we’ll be performing it at Ham on Friday. It’s untitled right now. He does his thing, I do mine. Were both quick at songwriting, that it honestly shocks me how fast we get things done.

You’ve made music with artists who have helped define this industry such as bones, Lil Tracy, Nedarb, and more recently FishNarc and Brennan Savage. What has it been like getting recognition from them, and what was it like working with them?

When I work with anyone, I really want them to respect me as an artist. It’s really great knowing how much recognition they get, and I get to work with them. It’s really cool knowing that we can work together. Each of these artists are so talented, it just flows so easily. It’s a really cool experience. Whether it be producers or singers, you know, some have reached out to me, I’ve reached out to some, It’s just so nice sharing this mutual bond. The music we make together always comes out just so great.

How many instruments do you play total, and what are they? When you learned how to play the first, why did you reach for the next?

Piano, Drum, Guitar, Bass, and that’s about it. If someone can show me an instrument and how to play it I can pick it up. I’m really quick at picking up instruments, if you can just show me exactly what to do I’ll probably be able to play an instrument after a couple months.

I guess the first instrument would be guitar. It felt really natural. After that, I picked up bass. With piano, I played a little when I was younger but hadn’t touched it in years. I just tried it and it all just made sense, like it came supernatural.

In what ways have your music changed since you began making music? Were these changes consciously made, or did they naturally happen?

It’s just the growth of making music. Years ago I was still learning my voice, and learning what I could make, and what to work with. The more I grew older, I saw my potential as an artist. For me, It’s always growing. Now my songwriting has matured. I know how to sing correctly now. It’s just natural, Its the growth process.

Would you ever make music in you older ‘hip hop’ styles heard in ThisRopeWon’tHangItself and N.A.U., or do you not like to revisit areas of creation you’ve moved on from?

I would if I grew back into it. With rapping, I felt like I couldn’t write rap songs anymore. Singing is my thing, I know how to sing really well. If i had tried and really committed to it, I know I could’ve been writing really good raps. Maybe one day. For now, my goal is to sing, and later have a band.

What has been your proudest moment in this process? What was a moment in which you could see the results of your hard work?

Playing Emo Nite. That was the coolest thing ever.

It was like “Damn.. I’m literally playing a festival right now with all these people I listened to as a kid.”

13 year old Saphir was like, Chris Owens is in front of my face right now. I could go talk to the lead singer of EscapeTheFate in the back room right now. What the fuck is going on? And then performing, we played the Ham stage, shout out to Adam. I was with everyone I listen to on SoundCloud, just the homies. I had this glittering gold wrist band, and at one point I saw Demi Lovato? It was just such a crazy experience, and I felt like I definitely hit a milestone.

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At what age did you start singing? Did you ever have vocal training, or did you develop your voice yourself?

I’ve been singing pretty much as long as I can remember, but taking it seriously around 13 or 14. I never had a vocal coach, I would just kind of mimic other singers that I liked to see if I could hit their vocal range. With time, I got better and better and started to develop my sound.

You’ve been releasing music steadily for about 4 years now. How has the industry changed over the years, and how have you had to adapt to it?

The industry has become more accessible. The main music industry was the radio, which I was never a huge fan of. Now we have, what I’ll call the SoundCloud industry, with more artists now. There wasn’t much to adapt to.

If you’re riding the wave, you’re riding it. I haven’t had to change myself much.

Name a movie that you think your music would be the perfect soundtrack to.

Definitely something starring Michael Cera… Probably Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist or something like that. That pretty much it. Something starring Michael Cera or Jonah Hill maybe. If you get into my darker stuff, maybe a Quentin Tarantino movie, like I could definitely see 3:00 a.m. in a Quentin Tarantino movie.

What’s next for Saphir? Do you have anything in the works that you can give us in inside scoop on?

I have a few songs coming out with Dead Robot, as well as gizmo. I’m working with an amazingly talented producer right now, Nicole, on my band projects. I’d hopefully like to book a tour this year. Go out and explore the country. Nothing really set in stone yet, because I’m trying to get into the groove of monthly releases. So, new music monthly, and new music videos monthly.

If you were to be reincarnated, what would it be as?

What’s an animal that just lives peacefully? I think I’d like to be a house cat… just chillin’. Or an owl, I do look like an owl. I think a house cat, though, because my life is just so full of stress and work, that it’d be nice to just sit around the house and hang out.

Do you have anything else you’d like your us and your supporters to know?

I love you guys a lot. It means the world that you listen to my music, and I’ll do my best to keep going harder. I want to travel all over and meet every last one of you. There’s a lot more to release, and if you guys ever need to talk I am here.

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