Sasha Alex Sloan “Older”

What makes a sad song so powerful? On this episode of Sad Song Queens, music supervisors Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington sit down with singer-songwriter and hit songwriter Sasha Alex Sloan to dive deep into her emotionally resonant song “Older,” a deeply personal track about growing up, complicated family relationships, and realizing that our parents are human, flawed, and figuring life out just like the rest of us. Sasha Alex Sloan opens up about the childhood experiences and family dynamics that inspired the song, the healing power of songwriting, and how getting older has given her a newfound perspective, understanding, and grace.

Sasha Alex Sloan shares the story behind her journey from posting songs on Reddit to signing a publishing deal at 19, moving to Los Angeles, and becoming an in-demand songwriter for some of the biggest names in music, including Olivia Rodrigo, Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars, Charli XCX, and more. She talks about writing for other artists versus releasing her own music, navigating the music industry, her viral hit “Dancing With Your Ghost,” and the inspiration behind her latest album, The Crowd Goes Mild. She tells us what a dream it was to write “What’s Wrong with Me” with Olivia Rodrigo and Daniel Nigro, and then to have Robert Smith of The Cure included on the track! Sasha Alex Sloan also gets candid about vulnerability, relationships, codependency, body image, and finding the courage to keep making music.

Plus, we explore what makes a song truly sad, why major chords paired with heartbreaking lyrics can hit even harder, and the songs that have made Sasha Alex Sloan cry. From the emotional stories behind her songs to the unexpected moments that shape a songwriter's life, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes music says what we can't quite put into words.

If you love sad songs, thoughtful songwriting, and the stories behind the music that makes us feel everything, this episode is for you.

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Our theme song is "All My Favorite Songs" by Weezer, courtesy of Crush Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.

Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui.

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