Welcome to our exclusive interview with Kathy Sabol! We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to dive into her creative process, learn more about her and her art.
Could you tell us about the inspiration behind your upcoming single? What themes or experiences influenced its creation?
I wrote “Belong with You” with two groups in mind: The first are the people who are getting into a new relationship after having been burned in the past. The rush of emotions can be fun and exciting, but it can also lead to some pretty dark places within yourself as you learn how to trust again and open your heart to another person.
The other group are those who have decided to get back together after “taking a break” and their friends are saying things like “It’s not going to work” or “You’re making a big mistake”. Truth is, everyone has an opinion, but you are the one who has to live your life. You make the decision. You own the outcome. You have to do what feels right in your heart. If you want to give it one more try, then go for it. Better to try and fail than to never try and always keep wondering about it.
Today’s dating scene is filled with so many options and apps that it often seems easier to just move on and look for someone else as soon as the romantic waters start getting choppy. Sometimes you do need to abandon ship. Other times you need to stay the course. There are no perfect people out there, but there are plenty of people who would be perfectly suited for us, if we could just set aside the unrealistic images painted by television, film and popular music. Comparing ourselves to these ideals makes us feel inadequate and afraid to love. But loving the right person should be as easy as breathing.
How does this new single differ from your previous work, both musically and thematically?
“Belong with You” is the first “romantic” or “love” song I’ve released, and it is also a song that is not written in a minor key. My 2023 releases (“Satellite”, “Ghost of You” and “The Wheel”) were about navigating the post-breakup experience and taking back your power. The holiday single (“Here”) was about missing a loved one over the holidays. So, I wanted to put something out that felt hopeful and happy for Valentine’s Day. While the video is skewed towards the traditional male/female dating experience, the lyrics can apply to any type of situation that involves taking a risk when investing in another person. I welcome listeners to make reels with this song using their own photos to share their unique love stories.
What was the collaborative process like when creating this single?
Can you give us a sneak peek into the production and recording process of the single? Any memorable moments or challenges you encountered along the way?
“Belong with You” was originally written from the POV of a woman trying to persuade an avoidant man (with trust issues) that he is “enough” for her just as he is. And while the lyric does a good job in expressing those heartfelt emotions, there was too little development of the theme from start to finish. My producer, Vincent Byrne, who designed the video and performed the male vocal, came up with the idea of turning the song into a duet where the POV of both individuals could be examined. He applied a jazzy “swing” feel to the music with softer percussion, allowing Jay Hassler’s string arrangement to create a dreamy, romantic backdrop for Kate Denman’s female vocals.
The biggest challenge was in “waiting” to bring this song to life. The first draft of “Belong with You” was penned in 2019, three years before I even started working with Vince. But the final result was well worth the wait!
With the release of this single, what message or emotion do you hope listeners take away from it?
I want them to feel encouraged to trust in the idea of love. To not be afraid to give their heart to someone else. To always believe that there is a special person who will respect, honor and treasure them as a gift, even though they may still be waiting to cross paths. (This is something I remind myself about every day.)
Looking beyond this release, what’s next for you?
At least two more singles from “The Great Divide” project before the full album drop in late June (or early July). I will be adding a section to my website to dive deeper into the storyline crafted through each of the carefully sequenced songs. Since “Belong with You” is the final track, I can reveal this much: there is a happy ending. I also have a church music project getting underway, as well as some inspirational music that I’ve been working on. It’s important to have multiple “irons in the fire” in various stages of development so that you can keep being productive in all seasons.
A huge thank you to Kathy Sabol for sharing insights into her creative journey.
Connect with Kathy:
Website: kathysabolmusic.com
Facebook: facebook.com/people/Kathy-Sabol-Music/100085689211141/
Instagram: instagram.com/kathysabolmusic/
YouTube: @KathySabolMusic
Other: linktr.ee/kathysabol
End of Interview