March 2, 2026 • 29 mins
Alexis sits down with Sarah Eida, an artist working at the intersection of music, embodiment, and performance identity. From her intimate work as a songwriter to commanding the stage as the leading force behind Howling Mountain, and stepping into the electrifying persona of Sassa Von Vuur, Sarah doesn’t compartmentalise her creativity, she multiplies it. Different stages, same nervous system. Together, they explore alter egos, authorship, vulnerability, and what it means to fully inhabit every version of yourself as an artist.
If you’d like to see more, you can follow on instagram;
@thereal_saraheida
@howlingmountainband
This episode was recorded on 15/02/2026 on the lands of the Woiworung Peoples. We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
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Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:09):
Hello, my name is Alexis Nailer, and I am your host here at Through The Creative Door.
On behalf of myself and my guests, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians on which this podcast is recorded and produced.
May we pay our respects to all First Nations people and acknowledge elders past and present On this podcast, I'll be chatting to an array of creative guests, getting a glimpse into their worlds and having some honest and inspiring conversations along the way.
(00:41):
I'm delighted to welcome you to Through the Creative Door.
Oh my goodness, Sarah.
Hi.
Hey, for those listening, you are such a bloody talented bear.
(01:02):
I have known you periphery over the years through Amy Francis, who's amazing.
Yes, artist, uh, here in Praise Nam in Melbourne.
Yes.
Um, but I don't think that, I haven't been watching what you're up to, Mrs. Talented Bear, because not only are you amazing singer songwriter guitarist, you're a front woman, an amazing band, but you also do this super cool dancey Boleski like, I'm not quite sure what you would call that 'cause it's not quite the standard burlesque per se, but you are such an amazing performer and I've seen little snippets of your stage presence.
(01:40):
It's pretty sick.
Tell us more
in the words from the lady herself.
Okay.
Hi.
All right.
Let's just say I'm a expressive generator.
Yeah, and it all started 10 years ago.
I took on, this is what it used to be called it tribal style belly dance.
(02:02):
It's mainly known as folkloric fusion belly dance.
So it's very inspired.
With a Romanian background, uh, Arabic, Turkish, uh, Indian Oriental, basically all Oriental infused together into belly dance.
It was invented in San Francisco by Carolina and Ricko, and she was taught by Marsha Archer.
(02:29):
So those who know the belly dance world know what I'm talking about.
That's as far as I'm gonna go with history.
Becoming a fusion belly dancer really gave me a space to express my feminism to express more grace.
I am, I've been one of the boys in bands for so long.
(02:53):
I, around that time I wasn't doing much, doing much shows.
I wasn't playing bands, I wasn't doing a lot of music.
I think I was getting to know myself all over again, and I joined a troop called Aqua Moon Belly Dance, run by Lauren Fisher, who's like my longtime dance sister.
(03:16):
Shout out.
Shout out.
Yes, Lauren Fisher.
Get back on it.
And yeah, over the years, over the years, I kind of blossomed with.
With my arm movements and my style of dress costuming with Indian 25 yard skirts and North Indian jewelry and, and I've seen you necklace amazing work with like swords and things like that as well.
(03:47):
You have these amazing, I have two, they're called skim, skim sorts.
They're the curvy round.
They're kind of almost like.
In, in a general public, they would be known as like aic Pirate, sword, sword, sword, you know?
But there is a part of the sword where you can balance on your head.
I balance them on my head and everyone goes, Woohoo.
(04:09):
Um, I have two of them.
I'm working on a new piece that involves jewel sword, magic magical choreography.
So, yes.
Props from my belly dancing background is, is from, uh, baskets to swords.
I love sword dancing.
(04:30):
It's, it's become a feature of mine as a solo dancer.
And over the years, probably about two years ago, I took on burlesque classes learning Feather fan dance with Valerie Valentine, who teaches at Maison Burlesque and.
She also does great, um, one-on-one workshops too, and I picked it up immediately.
(04:56):
I've been wanting to do fan dancing for a long time, and I had this cool idea later that year, this was 2024, where I could do a folkloric fusion belly dance solo choreography.
That it tells a tale of softness and strength by starting with Feather fans and then going through the journey and finding your strength and picking up the sword and, and dancing with the sword and ending it with, like, having it balancing on my head and, and that, that became quite, it's become quite iconic.
(05:37):
I had a song in mind for it for a long time, uh, called Cor Conan and Lesa by.
The great Dallas Fresca.
Love that woman.
Love that voice, and her songs are so powerful.
Yeah, I that, that's another thing as well is cross kind of like cross-promotional, like cross appreciation of, of all your, your favorite artists and people who have taught you your, you know, all your, um, creative powers.
(06:07):
I, I thought I would give a little tip of the hat to Dallas, so.
You know, why not have it all?
Yeah.
Well I think that's a great segue in saying that because of how you present your art in all of these facets, it's like different stages, but it's the same nervous system, it's the same basis basis of, of creativity.
(06:30):
Yeah.
And all of these influences, doesn't matter where they've come from, have fueled.
These amazing creative ventures that you have, which is super sick.
It's so lovely to watch.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So, so lovely to watch.
Now, you have been very gracious to let us into your beautiful home, but I'm curious.
(06:50):
Mm-hmm.
Because otherwise I would be just assuming and a assumption makes a fall outta me and you.
What does a creative space mean to you?
It's really important.
It's, it means a lot.
It means a lot.
And sometimes I find it also important to not only like be alone and have that, um, sense of peace and quiet and feeling to get into that head space of creativity, but I also think it's important to change that environment around.
(07:25):
There's been times where I've gone, I've just gone to, I would go to a rehearsal studio.
I would go to a, a specific space that maybe a friend has, uh, in their home where I can feel inspired in a different environment.
I also find travel as well is, can really, really inspire you in what you see and what you feel and what what you hear in a different place in a different country.
(07:57):
And the songs start.
Coming out.
You know, I think that's why a lot of, a lot of like, it doesn't really have to be signed artists, but like why artists travel so and so that, that's why they get away to just get inspired more.
I think it's good to change it around.
(08:19):
That's how important it's to me, because it helps you get out of your head and you get to hear.
The songs coming in and yeah, some type.
I think having the songwriting environment, the creative en environment, it needs to change every now and then because you can really, you, you can really get in your head and it can block the creativity.
(08:44):
So yes, have your own creative space, but get out, get inspired, go see things.
Lock yourself in another room somewhere in Europe or somewhere in Canada, which I did.
'cause when I went to Canada, boom, just song after song after song.
(09:06):
That was around 2012.
And yeah.
Do you find you flourish writing or thinking of choreography?
Mm-hmm.
Like in different ways, like different areas?
Or do you find that both?
Can be true in the same kind of environment
(09:27):
whenever I'm listening to a spec, a particular song that, you know, really you wouldn't body just, yeah, yeah.
That's when the choreography comes in.
Listening to songs anywhere I either my I, I either think about a choreography or I think about
(09:49):
fuzzy, chunky riffs that I could get out of.
Out of hearing that.
So it's either guitar playing or it's either a choreography of some sort.
She's multi-talented lady in general, and she can do it all.
It, I, I can overwhelm myself bit sometimes.
So there's a balancing act with that.
(10:10):
But in regards to lyrics and writing music, that's also a, it can be anywhere situation.
That's where the notepad comes out.
That's why you press record on your phone and get back to it in your own creative space.
So well said, well said.
(10:35):
Now,
I always feel like it's an interesting thing asking artists something that they're most proud of creating.
'cause I feel, especially for myself, if I'm interjecting, I feel like I haven't created the best fit yet.
We are still chasing that thing.
Yeah.
Yeah.
But is there something, whether that be in your dancing space or your music space, is there something that you've created that you're most proud of today?
(11:06):
I,
there's a few,
I think.
One of my solo songs, blood and Bone, from my EP titled Blood and Bone.
It's a very simple bluesy song, but the, I, I, I tend to, I try not to overthink when I'm writing music and just get, keep it simple as much as possible.
(11:44):
It doesn't have to be verse, chorus verse blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, with blood and bone.
I, it was, it had a very slow buildup.
Recording.
Having that recorded was, was quite cool.
Using my backing vocals, using that haunting atmospheric sound, like I love creating that and I think in blood and bone that really.
(12:13):
I feel most proud with that track.
A few other tracks with Howling Mountain, such as our upcoming single none blooded.
Is this the track that you did, the music video that was like a 43 degree day?
Yes.
Yeah.
(12:33):
Oh my goodness.
Yeah.
So not only obviously in the studio, was that a. He overcome some things.
Yeah.
With I'm guessing with your range and your voice.
Yes.
The range in my voice.
Yeah.
Yes.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And also the challenge of the music video as well.
Yes.
Lots of things to be proud of.
A lot of things to be proud of.
Yeah.
Whip num blooded and also our latest single Raise, your Sword.
(12:57):
That shows my vocal range.
I'm pretty proud of that and how I worked with the band and how I worked with the producer.
And how I did the backing harmonies and, you know, my, my band, they're great rhythm section, but everything else is up to me.
(13:21):
And, and then when the visuals come in with, with music videos and working with a good team of people and you make it work and yeah, that's where you pat yourself in the back.
So.
That's huge.
That's huge.
So much to be proud of.
I love that.
Thank you.
Thank you.
You've also inadvertently segued to obviously challenges.
(13:45):
Mm-hmm.
My next question was gonna be around challenges.
Has there been, in your journey as a musician, as a dancer, just as a creative person, has there been something that's challenged your creativity in being able to create.
You know, I think my biggest challenge is words I'm to just to show everyone I'm human.
(14:12):
I am actually going through a writer's block, and so in the songwriting department I have so much to, to sing about.
I'm writing in my journal, but.
I haven't found that moment of I need to go travel, I need to just get, go to another creative space and, and, um, but things have been really busy lately.
(14:37):
Howling Mountain wants to write new material, which we are, but at the moment it's like, it, I think it's easy for me to write a chorus, verse, chorus, you know, that's simple.
But, um, I'm, I'm kind of.
It is challenging at the moment because my mind is going through a million things and you just gotta find that moment where your brain is not in work mode or you're in a relaxed state.
(15:05):
And I just haven't happened to find that.
I can't really just, no, I can, I can, I can, um, get words down on the spot, but.
I tend to restrict myself a bit.
Only human.
So
(15:28):
dance wise, what's been challenging?
Dance wise?
This is being gentle with myself.
Like I'm, I gotta stick to what I know when I'm creating choreographies and I'm seeing everybody doing like floor work and pole, and.
(15:50):
And that's great.
Tried a little bit of that, but I have to be mindful of my body and I just have to just keep blossoming and with, with what I've got.
So I tend to overload myself with things.
And sometimes, yeah, you just gotta like, just stop and just sit with yourself and think about what's best for you.
(16:15):
So yeah, that's where I'm at.
I love that.
Thank you for sharing.
Have you been in this space before?
Like with both music you are saying, you know, you are in this bit of a writer's block space.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and then obviously, you know, in the dancing space, just trying to be self-aware enough to recognize when you are, you are pushing yourself a little too thin.
(16:41):
Yeah.
Or expecting a bit too much of yourself.
Mm-hmm.
These.
Scenarios.
Are these things that you've had to navigate before or is this the first time that you've had to really work this out?
First time in dancing.
Yes.
Yes.
I guess in a way, since I became a solo dancer, I'm still getting to know myself.
(17:04):
I'm still getting to know limitations, and this year is about workshops, going to classes, not performing much for 2026 because.
A lot going on for Howling Mountain right now.
And yeah.
So it's like the last two years has been Okay, cool.
Savon Ver has made a mark.
(17:25):
Cool.
Okay.
That's my dance name.
Okay, cool.
But we follow her on social, she'll be in the nab,
follow her on Insta.
Yeah.
So it's been a fun two years.
Okay, cool.
Now I'm just gonna.
Sit back, learn some more, watch some shows, re rhinestone some more costumes, add more rhinestones and bedazzle, bedazzle, bedazzle, bedazzle, bedazzle.
(17:56):
And um, just, yeah, just let this year roll on it.
Regards to writer's block, I know myself, I trust myself enough to, it's gonna be fine.
I'm just in it.
I'm just a bit stuck right now.
I know I can break this.
It's just.
Time and place and making time.
(18:17):
Time can be your best friend and it can be your enemy.
And I think, I'm not gonna explain how I'm gonna, I'm gonna unblock my writer's block, but I've done it before.
Just keep writing those.
Just keep writing on the night.
You know, keep writing on your notebook.
Keep recording things here and there.
(18:39):
Put 'em in the filing cabinet.
That's what we al always do is metaphorically speaking, put it in the filing cabinet, get back in there, dig it out.
Like that was really cool.
That was a cool song, or that was a cool riff.
I'm in a different head space now.
I can expand this and turn this into something cool.
So that's, I, I know not to be too hard on myself because I know when I come back it's gonna sound 10 times cooler and I'm gonna make something out of that.
(19:11):
There you go.
Love it.
You love it.
Oh, the writer's block.
Yeah.
I, yeah, I concur.
Yes.
You know, I think whether you are a creative being, oh, we all have the creative in us, but I think as human beings you can do e everything, but not all at one.
(19:32):
Mm-hmm.
And it's with a little bit of age and.
Maturity and, and just lessons learned to know that it's like it's okay to, yeah.
Right now is not the time for X, Y, Z. Yeah.
Because other things are a priority.
Yes.
Yeah.
And yeah, it's nice when you know you've got history to, to lean on to know that it will, the time will come.
(19:58):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I wonder, do you.
Have an object or thing that you can't live without when you are creating?
I do and I can't find it.
I'm sorry.
What?
I can't find it.
Maybe that's why I've got a block.
What is it?
It's my mother's amber ring and I always have it here.
(20:19):
She gave it to me before she passed on.
So am
keeping it real.
I am pretty sure it's somewhere in the house and yeah, I haven't had a chance to look around, but I did have, I did look around very quickly.
I am not gonna go too much into that, but that's one thing that I, yeah, that's always been a part of me.
(20:45):
It's always nice to hear people's answers.
Mm-hmm.
It's very broad.
Yeah.
Exactly the thing.
It's like, you know exactly instinctively what it is.
It doesn't necessarily need to be something that you touch every time you create or Yeah.
Or whatever.
But it's a thing that, yeah.
Just grounds you.
It's a thing.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
I love that.
(21:06):
So, mm-hmm.
Miss Sarah?
Yes.
If you could give one piece of advice, one nugget of gold, what would it be?
Surround yourself with supportive people that love you and.
If they see what you see in yourself, carry on.
You are good to go.
(21:27):
Coming from experience, everyone else has ex experienced this, but
people have their own journeys.
They have their own insecurities, they have their opinions.
Everyone has their opinions.
But if they're constantly bringing you down, if they're constantly making you second guess yourself, if you are consuming their bad energy.
(21:50):
You're gonna start doubting yourself, you're going to start un recognizing your achievements.
Like, oh, it's not a big deal.
It is a big deal.
I think that's why it was hard for me to answer your question of what are the things that, what are the challenges that you're proud of?
Because I've been through a lot of challenges and it's to the point where, I dunno which one to pick because I don't.
(22:16):
I haven't really sat myself down and think, yeah, I'm proud of myself.
I did this, and yes, so work with people that want to work with you.
And also another thing, help them out too.
Work with them as well.
Give and take big thing.
Good support.
(22:37):
Support them.
Support you.
It's very important.
It's what our community's built off.
That's right.
Yeah, that's right.
It's important to surround, to have a strong support with.
For you, you have.
Yeah.
Otherwise, it's not going to work.
You're gonna struggle.
You will struggle and you can have these goals, but doubting yourself or thinking less of yourself because you're scared that you are gonna offend somebody else or you're scared that that's going to flare up.
(23:07):
Someone's incur, I'm sorry.
That's on them.
That is on them.
Just say thank you, nod.
Walk away and carry on.
Don't let them dim your light.
Yeah.
No dimming light.
Yes.
No more dimming lights.
No, no, no, no.
That's what I would tell myself 10, 15 years ago.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
That's beautiful.
Yeah.
Now with your beautiful dancing, you've mentioned, um, just in our conversation, some different courses and different people that do one-on-one.
(23:38):
So I'm gonna ask this question and I'd love you to answer for both.
Is there any resources or so like books, courses, um, YouTube, any, anything pe particular people that mentor any resources?
If someone wanted to do what you do and develop their creative process in either as a, as a musician, a band leader, um, or as a, a dancer trying to.
(24:07):
Yeah, do their trade.
What would your recommendations be for both of you?
Okay.
As a dancer in Melbourne there, there is a big community of burlesque schools to mention, such as Ma Jean burlesque, bottoms up, maj burlesque, online in belly dancing.
(24:28):
From the top of my head, I would recommend de Tour Online featuring Rachel Bryce.
They're all based in estates.
But there's a community of belly dancers that teach, um, if you, if you join in a membership, you get classes of all styles of belly dance.
Me, Jean Burlesque have a very variety of various burlesque styles.
(24:55):
I am currently learning from whiskey falls learning, burlesque, blues, uh, blues, burlesque, and ma.
As well as bottoms up.
We'll teach you bower feathers, feather fans, panel skirt, tees, all different various of tees.
And there's also hip hop and golden age burlesque.
(25:20):
So wow, you're blowing my mind at the moment of just like how diverse this is.
And every term there's, at the end of every term, there's a showcase.
Amazing.
I would highly recommend those schools.
And music related music, what?
What are things that, have you lent on any resources through your time or do you have any recommendation?
(25:45):
Okay,
I'll say this.
When you have your own style, don't be afraid to try different things.
Don't be afraid to join other bands.
That's where the inspire, the inspiration comes in.
I've recently been asked to join to play bass and backing vocals for Wes, all 66.
(26:11):
So I'm learning the bass parts at the moment.
That's gonna be fun to do.
I did heavy choir for a little while.
That was fun.
I have done artist development programs.
Uh, I've had mentors here and there.
They're important to have.
(26:32):
It's handy to have them.
You can find them online now.
You can have those courses online.
Go out there and network.
Go out there and see the bands.
Just go out there.
Don't sit around and wait for it to come to you.
No, go out there and just go see live bands.
This is what I would tell myself 20 years ago.
(26:54):
But yeah, go see live music.
Mix it up a little, make it different.
Don't be afraid to try new things.
If there are workshops happening that would give you the benefit of, um, your growth, go and do it.
The end.
Yes, girl.
Yes.
(27:14):
Well said.
So true.
Oh my goodness.
Now one more question and you're off the hook.
Okay.
Okay.
I could talk to you forever.
I swear to go.
I'm loving this conversation.
Silly.
My goodness.
I'm just trying to stay quiet and not say anything.
Um, but one more question for you.
Mm-hmm.
Well, if you wanted someone to come on the podcast and chat to me and answer these questions.
(27:39):
Who would it be and why?
Sam Edmonds.
Sam Edmonds from Earth Cadet.
He's fricking rad.
The band is fricking rad.
They're Bendigo people.
They're really cool.
They're like, they're nineties kids.
Like, oh, it's like Helling Mountain.
(28:00):
And we just have that similar energy and.
That we just have that nod.
I know you.
And they're like, I see, you know, I see you.
We just have that thing like Sam and I just have that thing like Yeah, that just the nod of rock.
Yeah.
And I think he would be great to chat to and answer those questions.
(28:24):
Um, amazing.
I'll add him to the list.
Sorry, Sam.
Yeah.
Oh my goodness.
Sarah, thank you so much for being so gracious with your time and chatting to us at Through The Creative Door.
It has been such a delight and my goodness, for those listening, if you haven't already got her voice in your ear holes or seeing some of her performances, my goodness.
(28:49):
Get your eyes and e holes around it all because she's amazing.
You heard you had it here first.
Thank you so much.
Oh, thank you so much.
Yeah.
Thanks for tuning in for another episode of Through The Creative Door.
(29:11):
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(29:34):
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Thanks so much for being part of our community.
We'll catch you on the next episode.
Bye.
Hello, my name is Alexis Nailer, and I am your host here at Through The Creative Door.
On behalf of myself and my guests, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians on which this podcast is recorded and produced.
May we pay our respects to all First Nations people and acknowledge elders past and present On this podcast, I'll be chatting to an array of creative guests, getting a glimpse into their worlds and having some honest and inspiring conversations along the way.
(00:41):
I'm delighted to welcome you to Through the Creative Door.
Oh my goodness, Sarah.
Hi.
Hey, for those listening, you are such a bloody talented bear.
(01:02):
I have known you periphery over the years through Amy Francis, who's amazing.
Yes, artist, uh, here in Praise Nam in Melbourne.
Yes.
Um, but I don't think that, I haven't been watching what you're up to, Mrs. Talented Bear, because not only are you amazing singer songwriter guitarist, you're a front woman, an amazing band, but you also do this super cool dancey Boleski like, I'm not quite sure what you would call that 'cause it's not quite the standard burlesque per se, but you are such an amazing performer and I've seen little snippets of your stage presence.
(01:40):
It's pretty sick.
Tell us more
in the words from the lady herself.
Okay.
Hi.
All right.
Let's just say I'm a expressive generator.
Yeah, and it all started 10 years ago.
I took on, this is what it used to be called it tribal style belly dance.
(02:02):
It's mainly known as folkloric fusion belly dance.
So it's very inspired.
With a Romanian background, uh, Arabic, Turkish, uh, Indian Oriental, basically all Oriental infused together into belly dance.
It was invented in San Francisco by Carolina and Ricko, and she was taught by Marsha Archer.
(02:29):
So those who know the belly dance world know what I'm talking about.
That's as far as I'm gonna go with history.
Becoming a fusion belly dancer really gave me a space to express my feminism to express more grace.
I am, I've been one of the boys in bands for so long.
(02:53):
I, around that time I wasn't doing much, doing much shows.
I wasn't playing bands, I wasn't doing a lot of music.
I think I was getting to know myself all over again, and I joined a troop called Aqua Moon Belly Dance, run by Lauren Fisher, who's like my longtime dance sister.
(03:16):
Shout out.
Shout out.
Yes, Lauren Fisher.
Get back on it.
And yeah, over the years, over the years, I kind of blossomed with.
With my arm movements and my style of dress costuming with Indian 25 yard skirts and North Indian jewelry and, and I've seen you necklace amazing work with like swords and things like that as well.
(03:47):
You have these amazing, I have two, they're called skim, skim sorts.
They're the curvy round.
They're kind of almost like.
In, in a general public, they would be known as like aic Pirate, sword, sword, sword, you know?
But there is a part of the sword where you can balance on your head.
I balance them on my head and everyone goes, Woohoo.
(04:09):
Um, I have two of them.
I'm working on a new piece that involves jewel sword, magic magical choreography.
So, yes.
Props from my belly dancing background is, is from, uh, baskets to swords.
I love sword dancing.
(04:30):
It's, it's become a feature of mine as a solo dancer.
And over the years, probably about two years ago, I took on burlesque classes learning Feather fan dance with Valerie Valentine, who teaches at Maison Burlesque and.
She also does great, um, one-on-one workshops too, and I picked it up immediately.
(04:56):
I've been wanting to do fan dancing for a long time, and I had this cool idea later that year, this was 2024, where I could do a folkloric fusion belly dance solo choreography.
That it tells a tale of softness and strength by starting with Feather fans and then going through the journey and finding your strength and picking up the sword and, and dancing with the sword and ending it with, like, having it balancing on my head and, and that, that became quite, it's become quite iconic.
(05:37):
I had a song in mind for it for a long time, uh, called Cor Conan and Lesa by.
The great Dallas Fresca.
Love that woman.
Love that voice, and her songs are so powerful.
Yeah, I that, that's another thing as well is cross kind of like cross-promotional, like cross appreciation of, of all your, your favorite artists and people who have taught you your, you know, all your, um, creative powers.
(06:07):
I, I thought I would give a little tip of the hat to Dallas, so.
You know, why not have it all?
Yeah.
Well I think that's a great segue in saying that because of how you present your art in all of these facets, it's like different stages, but it's the same nervous system, it's the same basis basis of, of creativity.
(06:30):
Yeah.
And all of these influences, doesn't matter where they've come from, have fueled.
These amazing creative ventures that you have, which is super sick.
It's so lovely to watch.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So, so lovely to watch.
Now, you have been very gracious to let us into your beautiful home, but I'm curious.
(06:50):
Mm-hmm.
Because otherwise I would be just assuming and a assumption makes a fall outta me and you.
What does a creative space mean to you?
It's really important.
It's, it means a lot.
It means a lot.
And sometimes I find it also important to not only like be alone and have that, um, sense of peace and quiet and feeling to get into that head space of creativity, but I also think it's important to change that environment around.
(07:25):
There's been times where I've gone, I've just gone to, I would go to a rehearsal studio.
I would go to a, a specific space that maybe a friend has, uh, in their home where I can feel inspired in a different environment.
I also find travel as well is, can really, really inspire you in what you see and what you feel and what what you hear in a different place in a different country.
(07:57):
And the songs start.
Coming out.
You know, I think that's why a lot of, a lot of like, it doesn't really have to be signed artists, but like why artists travel so and so that, that's why they get away to just get inspired more.
I think it's good to change it around.
(08:19):
That's how important it's to me, because it helps you get out of your head and you get to hear.
The songs coming in and yeah, some type.
I think having the songwriting environment, the creative en environment, it needs to change every now and then because you can really, you, you can really get in your head and it can block the creativity.
(08:44):
So yes, have your own creative space, but get out, get inspired, go see things.
Lock yourself in another room somewhere in Europe or somewhere in Canada, which I did.
'cause when I went to Canada, boom, just song after song after song.
(09:06):
That was around 2012.
And yeah.
Do you find you flourish writing or thinking of choreography?
Mm-hmm.
Like in different ways, like different areas?
Or do you find that both?
Can be true in the same kind of environment
(09:27):
whenever I'm listening to a spec, a particular song that, you know, really you wouldn't body just, yeah, yeah.
That's when the choreography comes in.
Listening to songs anywhere I either my I, I either think about a choreography or I think about
(09:49):
fuzzy, chunky riffs that I could get out of.
Out of hearing that.
So it's either guitar playing or it's either a choreography of some sort.
She's multi-talented lady in general, and she can do it all.
It, I, I can overwhelm myself bit sometimes.
So there's a balancing act with that.
(10:10):
But in regards to lyrics and writing music, that's also a, it can be anywhere situation.
That's where the notepad comes out.
That's why you press record on your phone and get back to it in your own creative space.
So well said, well said.
(10:35):
Now,
I always feel like it's an interesting thing asking artists something that they're most proud of creating.
'cause I feel, especially for myself, if I'm interjecting, I feel like I haven't created the best fit yet.
We are still chasing that thing.
Yeah.
Yeah.
But is there something, whether that be in your dancing space or your music space, is there something that you've created that you're most proud of today?
(11:06):
I,
there's a few,
I think.
One of my solo songs, blood and Bone, from my EP titled Blood and Bone.
It's a very simple bluesy song, but the, I, I, I tend to, I try not to overthink when I'm writing music and just get, keep it simple as much as possible.
(11:44):
It doesn't have to be verse, chorus verse blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, with blood and bone.
I, it was, it had a very slow buildup.
Recording.
Having that recorded was, was quite cool.
Using my backing vocals, using that haunting atmospheric sound, like I love creating that and I think in blood and bone that really.
(12:13):
I feel most proud with that track.
A few other tracks with Howling Mountain, such as our upcoming single none blooded.
Is this the track that you did, the music video that was like a 43 degree day?
Yes.
Yeah.
(12:33):
Oh my goodness.
Yeah.
So not only obviously in the studio, was that a. He overcome some things.
Yeah.
With I'm guessing with your range and your voice.
Yes.
The range in my voice.
Yeah.
Yes.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And also the challenge of the music video as well.
Yes.
Lots of things to be proud of.
A lot of things to be proud of.
Yeah.
Whip num blooded and also our latest single Raise, your Sword.
(12:57):
That shows my vocal range.
I'm pretty proud of that and how I worked with the band and how I worked with the producer.
And how I did the backing harmonies and, you know, my, my band, they're great rhythm section, but everything else is up to me.
(13:21):
And, and then when the visuals come in with, with music videos and working with a good team of people and you make it work and yeah, that's where you pat yourself in the back.
So.
That's huge.
That's huge.
So much to be proud of.
I love that.
Thank you.
Thank you.
You've also inadvertently segued to obviously challenges.
(13:45):
Mm-hmm.
My next question was gonna be around challenges.
Has there been, in your journey as a musician, as a dancer, just as a creative person, has there been something that's challenged your creativity in being able to create.
You know, I think my biggest challenge is words I'm to just to show everyone I'm human.
(14:12):
I am actually going through a writer's block, and so in the songwriting department I have so much to, to sing about.
I'm writing in my journal, but.
I haven't found that moment of I need to go travel, I need to just get, go to another creative space and, and, um, but things have been really busy lately.
(14:37):
Howling Mountain wants to write new material, which we are, but at the moment it's like, it, I think it's easy for me to write a chorus, verse, chorus, you know, that's simple.
But, um, I'm, I'm kind of.
It is challenging at the moment because my mind is going through a million things and you just gotta find that moment where your brain is not in work mode or you're in a relaxed state.
(15:05):
And I just haven't happened to find that.
I can't really just, no, I can, I can, I can, um, get words down on the spot, but.
I tend to restrict myself a bit.
Only human.
So
(15:28):
dance wise, what's been challenging?
Dance wise?
This is being gentle with myself.
Like I'm, I gotta stick to what I know when I'm creating choreographies and I'm seeing everybody doing like floor work and pole, and.
(15:50):
And that's great.
Tried a little bit of that, but I have to be mindful of my body and I just have to just keep blossoming and with, with what I've got.
So I tend to overload myself with things.
And sometimes, yeah, you just gotta like, just stop and just sit with yourself and think about what's best for you.
(16:15):
So yeah, that's where I'm at.
I love that.
Thank you for sharing.
Have you been in this space before?
Like with both music you are saying, you know, you are in this bit of a writer's block space.
Mm-hmm.
Um, and then obviously, you know, in the dancing space, just trying to be self-aware enough to recognize when you are, you are pushing yourself a little too thin.
(16:41):
Yeah.
Or expecting a bit too much of yourself.
Mm-hmm.
These.
Scenarios.
Are these things that you've had to navigate before or is this the first time that you've had to really work this out?
First time in dancing.
Yes.
Yes.
I guess in a way, since I became a solo dancer, I'm still getting to know myself.
(17:04):
I'm still getting to know limitations, and this year is about workshops, going to classes, not performing much for 2026 because.
A lot going on for Howling Mountain right now.
And yeah.
So it's like the last two years has been Okay, cool.
Savon Ver has made a mark.
(17:25):
Cool.
Okay.
That's my dance name.
Okay, cool.
But we follow her on social, she'll be in the nab,
follow her on Insta.
Yeah.
So it's been a fun two years.
Okay, cool.
Now I'm just gonna.
Sit back, learn some more, watch some shows, re rhinestone some more costumes, add more rhinestones and bedazzle, bedazzle, bedazzle, bedazzle, bedazzle.
(17:56):
And um, just, yeah, just let this year roll on it.
Regards to writer's block, I know myself, I trust myself enough to, it's gonna be fine.
I'm just in it.
I'm just a bit stuck right now.
I know I can break this.
It's just.
Time and place and making time.
(18:17):
Time can be your best friend and it can be your enemy.
And I think, I'm not gonna explain how I'm gonna, I'm gonna unblock my writer's block, but I've done it before.
Just keep writing those.
Just keep writing on the night.
You know, keep writing on your notebook.
Keep recording things here and there.
(18:39):
Put 'em in the filing cabinet.
That's what we al always do is metaphorically speaking, put it in the filing cabinet, get back in there, dig it out.
Like that was really cool.
That was a cool song, or that was a cool riff.
I'm in a different head space now.
I can expand this and turn this into something cool.
So that's, I, I know not to be too hard on myself because I know when I come back it's gonna sound 10 times cooler and I'm gonna make something out of that.
(19:11):
There you go.
Love it.
You love it.
Oh, the writer's block.
Yeah.
I, yeah, I concur.
Yes.
You know, I think whether you are a creative being, oh, we all have the creative in us, but I think as human beings you can do e everything, but not all at one.
(19:32):
Mm-hmm.
And it's with a little bit of age and.
Maturity and, and just lessons learned to know that it's like it's okay to, yeah.
Right now is not the time for X, Y, Z. Yeah.
Because other things are a priority.
Yes.
Yeah.
And yeah, it's nice when you know you've got history to, to lean on to know that it will, the time will come.
(19:58):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I wonder, do you.
Have an object or thing that you can't live without when you are creating?
I do and I can't find it.
I'm sorry.
What?
I can't find it.
Maybe that's why I've got a block.
What is it?
It's my mother's amber ring and I always have it here.
(20:19):
She gave it to me before she passed on.
So am
keeping it real.
I am pretty sure it's somewhere in the house and yeah, I haven't had a chance to look around, but I did have, I did look around very quickly.
I am not gonna go too much into that, but that's one thing that I, yeah, that's always been a part of me.
(20:45):
It's always nice to hear people's answers.
Mm-hmm.
It's very broad.
Yeah.
Exactly the thing.
It's like, you know exactly instinctively what it is.
It doesn't necessarily need to be something that you touch every time you create or Yeah.
Or whatever.
But it's a thing that, yeah.
Just grounds you.
It's a thing.
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
I love that.
(21:06):
So, mm-hmm.
Miss Sarah?
Yes.
If you could give one piece of advice, one nugget of gold, what would it be?
Surround yourself with supportive people that love you and.
If they see what you see in yourself, carry on.
You are good to go.
(21:27):
Coming from experience, everyone else has ex experienced this, but
people have their own journeys.
They have their own insecurities, they have their opinions.
Everyone has their opinions.
But if they're constantly bringing you down, if they're constantly making you second guess yourself, if you are consuming their bad energy.
(21:50):
You're gonna start doubting yourself, you're going to start un recognizing your achievements.
Like, oh, it's not a big deal.
It is a big deal.
I think that's why it was hard for me to answer your question of what are the things that, what are the challenges that you're proud of?
Because I've been through a lot of challenges and it's to the point where, I dunno which one to pick because I don't.
(22:16):
I haven't really sat myself down and think, yeah, I'm proud of myself.
I did this, and yes, so work with people that want to work with you.
And also another thing, help them out too.
Work with them as well.
Give and take big thing.
Good support.
(22:37):
Support them.
Support you.
It's very important.
It's what our community's built off.
That's right.
Yeah, that's right.
It's important to surround, to have a strong support with.
For you, you have.
Yeah.
Otherwise, it's not going to work.
You're gonna struggle.
You will struggle and you can have these goals, but doubting yourself or thinking less of yourself because you're scared that you are gonna offend somebody else or you're scared that that's going to flare up.
(23:07):
Someone's incur, I'm sorry.
That's on them.
That is on them.
Just say thank you, nod.
Walk away and carry on.
Don't let them dim your light.
Yeah.
No dimming light.
Yes.
No more dimming lights.
No, no, no, no.
That's what I would tell myself 10, 15 years ago.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
That's beautiful.
Yeah.
Now with your beautiful dancing, you've mentioned, um, just in our conversation, some different courses and different people that do one-on-one.
(23:38):
So I'm gonna ask this question and I'd love you to answer for both.
Is there any resources or so like books, courses, um, YouTube, any, anything pe particular people that mentor any resources?
If someone wanted to do what you do and develop their creative process in either as a, as a musician, a band leader, um, or as a, a dancer trying to.
(24:07):
Yeah, do their trade.
What would your recommendations be for both of you?
Okay.
As a dancer in Melbourne there, there is a big community of burlesque schools to mention, such as Ma Jean burlesque, bottoms up, maj burlesque, online in belly dancing.
(24:28):
From the top of my head, I would recommend de Tour Online featuring Rachel Bryce.
They're all based in estates.
But there's a community of belly dancers that teach, um, if you, if you join in a membership, you get classes of all styles of belly dance.
Me, Jean Burlesque have a very variety of various burlesque styles.
(24:55):
I am currently learning from whiskey falls learning, burlesque, blues, uh, blues, burlesque, and ma.
As well as bottoms up.
We'll teach you bower feathers, feather fans, panel skirt, tees, all different various of tees.
And there's also hip hop and golden age burlesque.
(25:20):
So wow, you're blowing my mind at the moment of just like how diverse this is.
And every term there's, at the end of every term, there's a showcase.
Amazing.
I would highly recommend those schools.
And music related music, what?
What are things that, have you lent on any resources through your time or do you have any recommendation?
(25:45):
Okay,
I'll say this.
When you have your own style, don't be afraid to try different things.
Don't be afraid to join other bands.
That's where the inspire, the inspiration comes in.
I've recently been asked to join to play bass and backing vocals for Wes, all 66.
(26:11):
So I'm learning the bass parts at the moment.
That's gonna be fun to do.
I did heavy choir for a little while.
That was fun.
I have done artist development programs.
Uh, I've had mentors here and there.
They're important to have.
(26:32):
It's handy to have them.
You can find them online now.
You can have those courses online.
Go out there and network.
Go out there and see the bands.
Just go out there.
Don't sit around and wait for it to come to you.
No, go out there and just go see live bands.
This is what I would tell myself 20 years ago.
(26:54):
But yeah, go see live music.
Mix it up a little, make it different.
Don't be afraid to try new things.
If there are workshops happening that would give you the benefit of, um, your growth, go and do it.
The end.
Yes, girl.
Yes.
(27:14):
Well said.
So true.
Oh my goodness.
Now one more question and you're off the hook.
Okay.
Okay.
I could talk to you forever.
I swear to go.
I'm loving this conversation.
Silly.
My goodness.
I'm just trying to stay quiet and not say anything.
Um, but one more question for you.
Mm-hmm.
Well, if you wanted someone to come on the podcast and chat to me and answer these questions.
(27:39):
Who would it be and why?
Sam Edmonds.
Sam Edmonds from Earth Cadet.
He's fricking rad.
The band is fricking rad.
They're Bendigo people.
They're really cool.
They're like, they're nineties kids.
Like, oh, it's like Helling Mountain.
(28:00):
And we just have that similar energy and.
That we just have that nod.
I know you.
And they're like, I see, you know, I see you.
We just have that thing like Sam and I just have that thing like Yeah, that just the nod of rock.
Yeah.
And I think he would be great to chat to and answer those questions.
(28:24):
Um, amazing.
I'll add him to the list.
Sorry, Sam.
Yeah.
Oh my goodness.
Sarah, thank you so much for being so gracious with your time and chatting to us at Through The Creative Door.
It has been such a delight and my goodness, for those listening, if you haven't already got her voice in your ear holes or seeing some of her performances, my goodness.
(28:49):
Get your eyes and e holes around it all because she's amazing.
You heard you had it here first.
Thank you so much.
Oh, thank you so much.
Yeah.
Thanks for tuning in for another episode of Through The Creative Door.
(29:11):
If you enjoy our episodes and find value in them, consider supporting us by making a donation.
Just visit buy me a coffee.com/through the creative door or via the link in our Instagram buy where you can choose an amount and even write us a little message.
Every little bit helps, and we truly appreciate all of your support.
(29:34):
But if you can't donate, no worries.
You can still help us out by sharing our podcast with your friends and family, and leaving a review on your favorite platform.
Thanks so much for being part of our community.
We'll catch you on the next episode.
Bye.
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