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Photos provided by: Zane Bruce
Pretty Little Saturday delivers a breathtaking, emotionally charged masterpiece with "Tangerine," showcasing stunning vulnerability and luminous artistry.
Pretty Little Saturday's new track, "Tangerine," invites you into a world where vulnerability collides with hope, and chaos gives way to the search for something real. With her luminous vocals and haunting lyricism, this Asheville-based artist pulls listeners into a raw, emotional journey that reveals a personal exploration of trust, love, and the complexities of connection. As the track unfolds, the song’s delicate blend of vulnerability and strength creates an atmosphere that is both fragile and empowering, a soundscape as vivid as the very title itself.
We spoke with the artist behind the captivating sounds of “Tangerine,” diving deep into the inspiration and emotions that fuel this powerful piece. From the quiet corners of Asheville to the bustling streets of Los Angeles, Pretty Little Saturday’s music navigates the delicate spaces between isolation and yearning for connection. In our conversation, she opens up about the creative process that brought “Tangerine” to life, sharing what it means to her on a personal level and the deeper stories behind her lyrics.
As we explore the emotional weight of “Tangerine,” we also reflect on the shift from being an observer of others’ stories to telling her own. The song becomes a window into her evolving journey as an artist, one that moves between moments of personal chaos and profound clarity. The track, filled with both urgency and hope, asks a question we all wrestle with: who will stand by you when you’re falling apart?
Dive into the full interview as Pretty Little Saturday opens up about the making of “Tangerine,” the growth of her artistic voice, and the emotional layers that continue to shape her sound.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Pretty little Saturday, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. After listening to ‘Tangerine,’ it’s impossible not to feel the raw emotion and depth of vulnerability in the track. Can you share with us what led you to create this song, and what it means to you on a personal level?
A. Oddly enough, the song was inspired by my best friend’s daughter, who was just days away from giving birth to her first child at 20. I remember sitting there, listening to the music I had so far, searching for a melody and lyrical direction. I started thinking about her—how brave and terrifying it must be to face something like that at such a young age—and that’s when the first verse and the seed of the chorus, “Who’s gonna love you,” just appeared.
On a deeper, more personal level, it became a journey inward. I found myself asking, “Who’s gonna love you when you’re falling apart at the seams?” By the time I finished writing it, I realized the answer was about learning to love myself and have my own back.
Q. The name ‘Tangerine’ evokes such a unique image, it feels both vibrant and delicate at once. What does that title represent for you, and why did it feel like the perfect fit for this song?
A.There’s a line in the song that says, “Who’s gonna love you when everything turns tangerine.” It was a turn of phrase I came across and instantly loved—I was honestly giddy when I found a way to weave it into the song.
Q. This track really dives into themes of vulnerability and isolation, yet there’s still a thread of hope woven throughout. Was there a particular moment or experience in your life that sparked those emotions while writing this song?
A.Yes and no. I was reflecting on my own life and how I tend to handle difficult moments—my craving for connection and community, especially when things get tough, and a time when that support wasn’t always there. That experience pushed me inward, to learn how to have my own back and give myself the love and reassurance I needed. In that way, the song became a personal reflection on the question, “Who’s gonna love you when you’re falling apart at the seams?”—something I think many people can relate to.
Q. You mentioned that ‘Tangerine’ captures a moment of growth and clarity. Looking back, how do you see yourself evolving both as an artist and as a person since you started this journey of creating your own music?
A. I’ve wanted to do music my whole life. As a kid, I took piano and guitar lessons; in high school, I played in bands. But one bad experience in college made me feel like I wasn’t good enough, and I fell into a creative funk that lasted for years. During the pandemic, I finally got tired of feeling like I’d let myself down and decided to do something about it.
Showing up for myself day after day to make this album has been transformative—it’s helped me grow, given me courage, and reminded me that it’s never too late to start again. Making music has been the most humbling and rewarding thing I’ve ever done.
Q. Can you tell us more about your experience recording ‘Tangerine’ with Patrick Doyle and Phillip Shaw Bova? What was it like working with them and bringing this song to life?
A. Patrick Doyle is incredible at what he does. You can tell he truly cares about his craft as a producer and engineer. I feel so lucky to collaborate with someone who’s also a master of harmonies — something that’s still pretty new to me. Every time we added harmonies to Tangerine, it brought out the vulnerability and softness in the lyrics. Patrick is genuinely one of a kind, and I’m so grateful to have him helping me shape my sound as a new artist.
Philip Shaw Bova is such a talented mastering engineer, and I was thrilled when he agreed to take on my project. Having someone who’s worked with artists like Feist, Bahamas, and Lake Street Dive add his final touch to Tangerine — and to the record as a whole — was an absolute honor.
Q. Now that you’re stepping into the spotlight as an artist after years of documenting others, how do you approach your own narrative? Is there a particular part of your personal story that you feel compelled to express through your music?
A. Honestly, I try to approach each song with a blank slate. As I’m working, the songs tend to reveal what they want to be about — it’s my job to listen and find the words to communicate that.
Q. Since ‘Tangerine’ is such a deeply personal exploration of emotional vulnerability, do you ever find yourself holding back when writing about intimate experiences, or do you let yourself fully dive into that rawness?
A. I generally dive right in, albeit poetically and metaphorically usually, learning how I want to say something has been a challenging and yet fun practice that seems to be unique per song. Some write themselves, some take months, some I’ve spent years messing withI usually dive right in — though often through a poetic or metaphorical lens. Figuring out how I want to say something has been both a challenge and a joy, and it’s different with every song. Some songs write themselves in a moment, others take months, and a few I’ve spent years trying to get just right.
Q. In the song, there’s this mix of personal chaos and a longing for something real. When you’re feeling overwhelmed in your own life, how do you find clarity or calm amidst all of that?
A. I find clarity and calm in a few different ways. Recently, I’ve gotten back into meditation and yoga, which have both been really helpful. I’ve also started a habit of burning incense and putting on a calming playlist as I wind down in the evening. Limiting my time on my phone — though it’s definitely a challenge — has helped open up more space for daydreaming and reflection, especially when I’m searching for lyrics or trying to understand what I want to say in a song. And lately, spending time with a new instrument has been grounding, too. Getting to know the Weissenborn guitar has helped me hear music in a fresh way — it’s brought me back to a beginner’s mind, and that’s been really inspiring.
Q. For anyone who’s felt the weight of unraveling but is still reaching for something real, what would you want them to take away from ‘Tangerine’? How do you hope the song resonates with them in their own moments of struggle?
A. Everyone’s situation is different, but my hope is that anyone who listens and connects with Tangerine walks away with a little more self-love. It’s okay to feel like things are falling apart — that doesn’t mean you are. Sometimes it’s in those moments of unraveling that we start to see ourselves more clearly. I want people to know they’re not alone, that tomorrow really can feel different, and that it’s worth holding on.
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. For personal growth, I’d have to credit my late father. He was a truly good man who always believed in me and encouraged me to follow my passions. If I can be even half the person he was, I’d consider myself lucky.
Artistically, it’s my mom. She’s an incredible artist — her medium of choice is encaustic painting — and I feel like she’s at her best when she’s creating. Watching her so connected to her craft has always inspired me.
Musically, I’m constantly influenced by so many different artists and genres, and I hope that sense of inspiration never stops.
Q. Do you have any plans to take your music to local stages or even hit the road for a full tour?
A. I’d love to open that up as a possibility — probably starting local first. I’m just beginning to dip my toes into performing here and there, little by little. It’ll get there :)
Q. We love your artist name, Pretty Little Saturday. Can you share the story behind how you chose that name?
A. I spent ten years living in Venice Beach, CA, USA — a vibrant melting pot of people, art, and energy. Those were some of the best years of my life. I’d wake with the sun, play beach volleyball with friends for hours, watch every sunset I could, and share family-style meals with travelers passing through. I rarely left my little ten-block radius of sun-soaked paradise. I walked, biked, and skated everywhere. Life was simple and spontaneous — it didn’t need much planning, just presence.
Pretty Little Saturday is a tribute to that time and place that shaped me so deeply. It captures the spirit of those days — light, free, and full of connection and creativity.
Q. We can’t thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what’s next? Can you give us a sneak peek into your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about?
A. My debut album, Long Overdue, hasn’t been fully released yet — Tangerine is the second of two singles I’ve shared so far.
A. Since this is all new to me, I wanted to take some time to release a few singles first and really learn the ropes of putting music out independently. It’s been a great way to understand the process and connect with listeners along the way.
I’m planning to release a few more singles throughout the year, with Long Overdue set to arrive in full in early 2026.
Pretty little Saturday, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
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English (US) ·