Los Angeles-based artist Savannah Pope unveils her latest single, “Terrible Thing,” a song lifted from her upcoming EP, still in production, that explores motifs of repression, identity, and survival.
Pope explains, “These are the kinds of things you can’t just say out loud. You need a song to say them.”
Known for her opera-like voice, impressive visuals, and visceral songwriting, Pope’s sound resides between cinematic art rock, avant-pop, and lyrical indie.
Pope learned to play guitar while in reform school, where music was her lifeline. She studied painting in Barcelona, and later dropped out of the Pratt Institute, followed by going back to Los Angeles, where she was at loose ends.
While attending an open mic night, she impulsively jumped onstage. She shares, “I felt a strange urge in the pit of my stomach. I borrowed someone’s guitar and just went for it. The response was electric. I was hooked.”
She began performing in bands. Then, just as her own band was beginning to take off, she was struck by a car, leaving her immobile. Addiction followed. Music provided rescue. Her health returned. Insurance money provided the means to record her debut album, Atlantis.
“Terrible Thing” conveys the feeling of finding the love you’ve always wanted, but once you get it, you can’t handle it. Pope says, “It’s about needing something you have no place to put.”
The song opens on a gentle, expressive piano accented by sighing harmonies. As the rococo, flamenco-tinged melody takes shape, Pope’s deliciously complex voice imbues the lyrics with hints of splendidly evocative ornate timbres. There’s a dark, portentous aura surrounding the song, as if someone broke Medusa’s heart and she’s plotting retribution.
With “Terrible Thing,” Savannah Pope continues to redraw the map of pop music, using rhythm and emotions as her implement.
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Tour Dates supporting Andy Bell (Erasure)
November 7th – Chicago, IL – Metro (USA)
November 8th – Chicago, IL – Metro (USA)
November 9th – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s (USA)
November 11th – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room (USA)
November 13th – New Orleans, LA – Orpheum Theater (USA)
November 14th – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater (USA)
November 15th – Dallas, TX – Majestic Theater (USA)
November 18th – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre (USA)
November 20th – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall (USA)
November 21st – Park City, UT – The Marquis (USA)
November 22nd – Park City, UT – The Marquis (USA)
November 25th – Sacramento, CA – Crest Theatre (USA)
November 26th – Menlo Park, CA – Guild Theatre (USA)
November 28th – San Francisco, CA – Palace of Fine Arts (USA)
November 29th – San Francisco, CA – Palace of Fine Arts (USA)
December 2nd – Portland, OR – Newmark Theatre (USA)
December 3rd – Vancouver, BC – Vogue (Canada)
December 4th – Seattle, WA – Showbox at the Market (USA)
December 6th – Stateline, NV – Harrah’s Lake Tahoe (USA)
December 9th – Phoenix, AZ – Van Buren (USA)
December 10th – San Diego, CA – Music Box (USA)
December 12th – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theater (USA)
December 13th – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theater (USA)
