Now she has released her debut album, Belladonna of Sadness, after signing with Columbia records. The Oregon native recently performed at SXSW. “[We] did four shows and the first one was pretty average but then I realised everyone was just delusional so nothing really mattered.
“We were all mutually exhausted, then after that it was really fun because no one gave a shit. By the last show it was really fun and filled with lots of adrenaline,” Savior says.
Her artistic integrity is never in question as she writes, directs and even does all the artwork herself, taking full creative control. “The album title stems from a film that I saw when I was living in Los Angeles. I was having a pretty hard time and in that last month when I was living there, I went to see this film called Belladonna of Sadness. It’s this 1973 watercolour anime, Japanese horror story that stuck with me,” Savior says.
She definitely recognises the importance of growing up in Oregon when developing an appreciation for music. “It’s always cold and rainy so you make stuff. That’s why there are so many creative people around.
“You have really intellectual, creative or depressed people that live in Oregon and that’s generally the population because you can’t really go out much.”
Her music can be categorised as alternative pop with her main source of inspiration stemming from specific moments in her life. Conception is definitely her favourite stage of album producing. “Definitely the writing, I like the creation part as it’s my favourite thing in the world. Being able to create something that people would appreciate is definitely the best,” says Savior.
“When it comes to the creative process I think it comes from a big climax. It just comes to you, and you have to be hopeful that you’re in a place where you’re able to sit down and collect. Spending a large time in your creative space is the most important aspect, then the magic blesses you.”
Savior is indubitably unique, describing herself as a feminist angst horror film. Her love for books, film and horror add to her artistic profile. “My favourite film is Don’t Look Now. I’m also reading this book called Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, who actually wrote all these thrillers that are my jam”, she says.
Having recently visited Byron Bay for a holiday she still hasn’t made it all the way down to our city. “I didn’t make it to Melbourne. We were staying with my boyfriend’s friends who are in a band called The Babe Rainbow. They’re definitely my favourite Australian band. We were driving around in this car and it was infested with huntsman spiders, so that was weird. They really jump and get you – I’m not a fan of that.
“I’m planning on coming back next February for Laneway Festival, but there’s talk of August this year so we’ll see. Australia is so interesting because it’s so big and there are a lot of different landscapes. I’m interested to check them all out. I really like Australian people. I would say you guys are the opposite of being chilled in that you are party animals.”
This year looks to be quite a big one for Savour with the release of her debut album triggering a full touring schedule. “I’ll be touring quite a lot and then between that time and trying to get the new records together I’m just trying to figure out my life,” she says.
“We’re going to Russia which should be really interesting. Americans are kind of scared of the country, so people say don’t do it. But right now I’m going to head out and see this band called The Máscaras, it’s my bass players band so that should be cool.”
By Giddy Heine
