Last month, for the first time ever on Indieterria, we reviewed music by Tragic Sasha and it was love at first sight/listen. There is so much great music out there, it is simply not possible for us to cover all independent artists, but once we realize how special certain musicians are, you can bet they will be mentioned on our blog again. And here we are, Tragic Sasha has a new single out and oh my Goodness (insert whichever deity you prefer), this song is absolute gold. Slow, moody and a revenge track. We are sold.
Single Cover
If my personal opinion counts for something, Tragic Sasha and TASH are my two favourite artists to listen to this year. TASH was my artist of the year in 2023 and Sasha, it seems, will be my artist of the year in 2024. Both ladies are incredibly talented, write fantastic music and they offer something truly original on the music market that is saturated with repeats, reheats and covers.
“Overnight Success” has been described by reviewers as a revenge pop. I know where they come from, the song was written about the idea of becoming successful to spite an ex partner or a former friend. However, I can’t simply classify it as a simple pop song. Tragic Sasha is not a pop starlet. The track standing at just two minutes and 50 seconds is slower, more ballad-like than her previous single “Fate’s a Bitch”, but is more elaborate, rich and layered. As usual, Sasha is blending several genres: there is a traditional pop in it, but also, electronica, alt, bedroom-pop, dream-pop and mood and indie. I know that’s a lot of “pops” in there, but each sub-genre is distinctively different from what we hear on popular radio stations. I only wished national stations actually dedicated more airwaves times to young, upcoming artists instead of playing them the same garbage all over again. But hey, sadly I do not make the rules.
“‘Overnight Success’ is a song I wrote about the idea of success as revenge. A big part of being in the music industry is trying to prove your worth to other people, even close friends” says Sasha in her well written press release. “ I remember writing the track feeling like I was worthless if I had nothing to offer people on a superficial level and this song came out of that need to form deeper relationships with people based on more than just status.”
Music business, or fake-it-till-you-make-it attitude is incredibly toxic. Instead of concentrating on creating music and touring, artists are now forced to constantly make new content for their social media channels. It’s not that bad if they have a new release, new album or a single coming out or a tour to sell. However, the majority of new and emerging artists simply do not have a never-ending stream of gigs, even if they are signed to a really active booker. Without shows or new music on the horizon, they have to improvise to stay relevant: sharing bits of their private lives, making stage costumes, streaming from their rehearsal rooms, sharing their holiday destinations, dancing to a new TIKTOK craze etc. As entertaining as it may be for a passing stranger, those closer to the artists can get jealous if the artist’s living standards are perceived as better than their own. I have seen a record producer accusing a band of being posh just because they had enough funds to attend a big festival. Or another artist criticizing a young girl that she spends too much money and time in a tanning salon instead of working. Sasha is dead right in what she writes – artists are starting to feel worthless, their relationships become strained. What one can afford becomes more important than any personal growth.
Not so long ago, I had a new, debuting artist telling me a band we help are truly successful. In their eyes national radio play and a few gigs were huge accomplishments they couldn’t yet reach. When I explained that the band was around for nearly a decade and they had time and opportunities to achieve some accomplishments, I was attacked that they were just rich and privileged. When I protested they were actually not, I was told, “oh just wait until I get famous on TIKTOK. I will show you all”. I hardly knew how to respond.
Tragic Sasha in the “Overnight Success” video
A decade ago starting musicians were fans, now they are frustrated, often envious and angry. If one person is lucky to get a limited opportunity, the online scrutiny can be swift and harsh. When an artist comes with a new, original idea, it is quickly stolen or reproduced. We hear stories from musicians whose entire stage personas are stolen by other artists based in the same city to the point of people mistaking them for twins. Even established bands are not safe: in January this year, Rowetta admitted that all her hand-made and self designed costumes were copied and stolen merely a few days before her tour was supposed to kick off.
Having friends in the social media era is becoming incredibly hard. Instead of collaborations, people are pitted against each other. Instead of building scenes, we have artists fight or badmouth others. We no longer have healthy cooperation – now everyone is on their own, dreaming of a rare chance to become an overnight sensation, which may never come.
“Overnight Sensation” is a smart, vibrant and incredibly addictive track. I have been listening to it for hours and I still can’t get enough. Tragic Sasha creates music that is absolutely brilliant, on point and very very good.
Looking for an artist that makes great music and has something to say? Tragic Sasha is ya girl.
Follow Tragic Sasha online at:
www.instagram.com/tragicsasha
www.facebook.com/tragicsasha
www.tiktok.com/@tragicsasha
https://open.spotify.com/artist/13POEdcy38kG2ZzQD6PnTB?si=Yh90dCzeRoasR7fGhDU6OQ&nd=1&dlsi=81aa469cf2f5423b
https://soundcloud.com/tragicsasha
https://twitter.com/tragicsasha
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMXMsi5MXDZPK2aPp8V9t3w
“Overnight Success is out now independently.
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 