Said Sara – Same (2023)
The brainchild of music veteran David Benson, Said Sara finds that balance between folk and indie-pop with intimate tinges of grunge hidden in his tunes. The drummer of San Francisco’s “crust punk turned death metal” band Acephalix, Benson has that hard-hitting brashness in his soul; however, as Said Sara, he is coming full circle with a soothing, heart-warming sound. Growing up in the 1970s, Benson was raised on a diet of Cat Stevens, James Tayler and Jim Croce, and he has returned to this intriguing sound with Said Sara. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Same’.
Over the last three years, Said Sara has released one single per year since the debut track ‘I Star As You’ (released in 2020) – at least, this is according to Spotify. Following his song ‘Sea’, ‘Same’ is the first single of 2023 and potentially the only single this year. As with previous material, ‘Same’ is a flowing, charming and laidback folk song. Driven by an acoustic guitar, but with an obscure insertion of the banjo, this track adopts a simplistic soundscape showcasing how minimalist arrangements can be kaleidoscopic. This track may not overpower metal tracks in head-banging power but is far more intimate and soul-stirring.
While the acoustic-inspired melody can hold its own, it is Benson’s rich vocals that take ‘Same’ to another level. Rich and warm but with a gruff, vulnerable intensity, Benson exposes the grittiness of human fragility and trauma. He explains that the lyrics were a “…strenuous undertaking…” with the concept looking at “…the strains of wanting and missing the blurry sentiments attached to emotional concealment and heartache, and the ways in which we torture ourselves even more when inside that torment.” Created as a labour of love with producer Jesse Nichols of Atomic Garden Studios, ‘Same’ catches your breath, sends sentimental shivers down your spine, and leaves you with a heady feeling – all with a very simple tune.
For more from Said Sara, check out his official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
