Today we’re joined by Sage. Sage is a young, up and coming pianist who lives for music. They have done a bit of everything: choir, composing, playing multiple musical instruments. It’s very clear that they absolutely love music and has a very bright future ahead of them. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
I’m a 14-year-old musician and I compose for and play piano. I also play guitar and ukulele, and I sing in a choir at my school. I’ve been playing piano for about 4 years. I mostly play classical music on the piano and I take Royal Conservatory of Music exams (I’m in grade six), and I also enjoy doing covers of various songs. As for my compositions, they are in a variety of different styles and genres, but I compose in minor keys mostly, although I’m not entirely sure why.
What inspires you?
Literally anything. Sometimes nature, sometimes art, sometimes people. My piano teacher is a composer as well, so he often gives me tips and pointers on composition. I would say that he inspires me too.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
When I was little, there was always a piano in my house and I would play songs by ear. My mom played piano and I really looked up to her. I was constantly asking for lessons, and when I was 10, I was finally got my wish. My dad played violin and my cousin played guitar, so I guess I grew up surrounded by music. Seeing the people around me play music sparked my own interest. I’ve always wanted to be an artist, but when I was younger, before I started playing piano, I was interested in drawing. It was only when I started taking piano lessons when I realized that music was my passion.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
Not really, except that 99% of my compositions are in a minor key XD
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
I would tell them to try everything because there are so many different types of art. Also that they shouldn’t give up if something doesn’t work out or if they don’t like something immediately.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I’m asexual and aromantic.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
I haven’t encountered any ace prejudice, because I’m not out for the most part. All of the musicians I’ve come out to (which is like four) took it well and said that the fact that I’m ace and aro doesn’t change the fact that I’m a musician.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That we don’t like anyone, we’re heartless, or we can’t love. This is absolutely wrong. We’re definitely not heartless, and we definitely can love. Being asexual doesn’t mean being aromantic, and even if someone is ace and aro (like me) we still love our families and love people platonically.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
I would say that they shouldn’t worry if they can’t find a label that fits them, or if they don’t feel like they belong in the ace community, or if people don’t accept them. They know who they are deep down, and if it takes a while to find a label, or if they can’t find a label, that’s fine. Sometimes it’s a good thing to go without a label for a while. I would also say that they shouldn’t cling too tightly to labels, because there may be a better label for them that they would miss if they clung to their current label too tightly.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Currently, nowhere. I’m going to get a Sound Cloud account, but I don’t have one right now. I occasionally post music stuff on my Tumblr (programming-ace) so I guess people could look there.
Thank you, Sage, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Asexual Artists 