After spending the last few months building and cultivating his sound, Australian artist and producer Saint Barae has now delivered his euphoric debut EP 'Angel Armour'.
Channelling a wonderfully sweet and uplifting 80s-inspired direction from start to finish, 'Angel Armour' makes for a brilliantly warm and enticing listen. With its effortless production, soaring textures, and his own powerful voice layered throughout, it certainly feels like he is at the start of an extremely captivating journey right now.
So with the new EP available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and influences over the years.
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What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
This might sound like a really random one based on the music I make myself but I’ve been so deeply in love with Florence + The Machine since I discovered them in early 2009. There’s something so visceral about the way Florence performs that really resonated with me – she’s pure passion and I had the pleasure of getting to see her band live when I was just starting my music journey.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
Yes I did haha! I formed a band back in 2016 when I was studying pop music at University and made some lifelong friends through that project. It was a really cool experiment because the music we made was greater than the sum of our parts. I love 90’s and early 2000’s rock so think Jeff Buckley meets early Coldplay.
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
It’s when I do these types of interviews I reflect and realise just how big my upbringing in the church informs my songwriting. My debut EP Angel Armour is littered with heaps of religious symbolism and references – with songs like ‘Hollow’ exploring how religious trauma was ultimately the greatest obstacle to me coming out as gay.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
Bad Friend – Rina Sawayama
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
It would definitely have to be opening for Boo Seeka in my hometown at the start of the year! It was my first time playing to an audience of almost a thousand people and really was a milestone moment for me.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Conan Gray or Troye Sivan!
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
Another left of field one but I have been obsessed with Grimes for the longest time and would just love to pick her brain when it comes to production. I also have so much respect and admiration for Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) and it would be a dream to work with him some day.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Hopefully with a full length album out and an international tour under my name haha. I would love to keep doing what I’m doing and perhaps take the time to invest in some other artists careers too, it’d be a dream to run my own record label someday.
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Saint Barae's debut EP 'Angel Armour' is available to stream now. Check it out below.