Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Saree McIntosh

Saree McIntosh is an up-and-coming artist who’s paving her own way in the industry and refuses to color within the lines. She’s staying true to herself and that authenticity has connected with thousands of listeners around the world. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with this fast-rising star about her career, her new single “Trust Me Baby“, and so much more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Saree: My dad is a musician. I grew up around him writing songs and recording music. That planted a seed in my brain when I was younger. I loved watching musicals. I really did love singing when I was younger and would write little songs in my bedroom for fun. But at the time, it was just for fun. I was so young that I thought working at Taco Bell would be cool. I never thought I would be a singer and making music.

Then I discovered Queen. It was an interesting time in my life because I wasn’t really a teen, but I wasn’t a kid anymore. I was going through this weird, awkward stage. I actually stopped singing for a full year because I felt so nervous and was too scared to sing in front of anybody. But then I found Queen through the Bohemian Rhapsody movie and saw how confident Rami Malek was on screen. After doing some more research about the band, I was really inspired. I started writing songs and started to break out of my shell and sing again.

I wrote this one song and showed it to my dad. He was like, “Wow. This is really good. We should get it professionally recorded.” We found a studio out here in Las Vegas, and I haven’t stopped since.

PC: What is your creative process like when you’re working on a song and has that changed throughout the year?
Saree: My songwriting has definitely grown. When I first started writing music, I couldn’t even pinpoint the chorus. There was so much going on. But it’s different with every song. Last night, I wrote a song that came from a little guitar melody I had come up with. I was like, “This sounds really nice.” So I started singing gibberish and came up with the melody, and then I sat down and wrote some lyrics to it. The process really changes every time. Usually, it comes from a melodic idea or a cool chord that I heard.

PC: Where do you draw inspiration from for your songwriting? What do you hope to say as an artist?
Saree: I haven’t experienced a lot since I’m still really young and I’m homeschooled. A lot of the things I write about concerning relationships or love are things I’ve never really experienced. I draw inspiration from movies, friends, my parents, people that I know, stories that I hear. I think what I try to say in my songs and lyrics is the truth of what a fifteen-year-old girl feels. I just want to be as honest as possible in my music.

PC: You’ve dropped a couple of singles already in your career. If you had to pick one of your songs that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
Saree: That’s a good question. I would say my song “Color Outside The Lines” embodies me the most because it’s the mindset that I live in my life. Music is a risky path to take. A lot of people get shamed because it’s not a safe path. A lot of people stay away from it. But that song is about doing what you want to and not coloring in the lines.

PC: Tell us about “Trust Me Baby” and the inspiration behind the song.
Saree: “Trust Me Baby” is inspired by my dad’s past relationships. I twisted it around. It’s about this girl realizing that the guy that she’s with is all talk and no show. He’ll say things like, “I’ll be better to you. I promise.” It might change for a week or so, but he goes back to his old ways. She’s sick of hearing the same old lies and she realizes that he’s never going to change.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2021, what can fans expect from you?
Saree: They can expect a lot more music…and some in a different language! I’m going to be releasing some Korean songs. I’ve recorded about seven Korean songs. Two of them are covers that my dad taught me. He used to live in Korea and can actually speak and sing in Korean. He taught me two of the songs, and the other five are originals.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Saree: Stray Kids.

PC: First album you bought?
Saree: My World by Justin Bieber.

PC: First concert you attended?
Saree: The first concert I attended was my dad’s friend’s. He’s a drummer. I got to see him perform.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Saree: Play the Game by Clean. That album really inspired me. I just love every song on that album.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Saree: Wembley Stadium.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Saree: My dog, Darla. I can’t go anywhere without her.

To keep up with Saree, follow her on Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Listen to “Trust Me Baby” today.

Photo Credit: Araya Doheny Photography // Make Up & Hair: Allison Noelle Mesa