What happens when a band or singer isolate itself in rural Connecticut to write an album? For Sarah and the Sundays, the result is an introspective and emotionally charged record that shows us that humanity is everything, even when it’s being taken away.
Despite its name, the indie rock band does not actually have a Sarah. Comprised of Liam Yorgensen (lead vocals, guitar), Declan Chill (bass), Quinn Lane (drums), Miles Reynolds (keyboard, guitar), and Brendan Whyburn (vocals, guitar), the group has made a name for itself as a rising force in indie rock. Deeply rooted in raw emotions like love, loss, grief and uncertainty, their latest album, Like A Damn Dog, addresses “the now,” showing us the world as it is, and as we feel it.
From current events like the Willow Project to seeking closure after a falling out, the band leaves everything on the line, having written and demoed the album in isolation in rural Connecticut. With the song “The Cue” dominating streaming services — amassing more than 2 million streams on Spotify as of Feb. 28 — it sets the initial tone for the record. Like A Damn Dog is everything you’re experiencing and more. With a mellow yet indie rock sound mixed with dreamy reverb-induced guitars, the album blends melancholic nostalgia with introspective lyrics that makes you drip with longing. Whether you’re in your bedroom with your headphones on, reminiscing about lost friendships or romantic relationships, dealing with uncertainty or putting on your favorite soundtrack to those long late-night drives, this album feels like a lost hug that hits you hard.
In an interview with Melodic Magazine, the group discussed the inspiration behind the album’s title, their writing process in Connecticut and the successes of “Policy” and “The Cue.”
The album is out now. What inspired you to choose the title Like A Damn Dog, and how does it tie into the overall themes of the album?
The album title Like A Damn Dog was originally the song title of what is now track 6: “You Must Be Tired.” It was a working title derived from the chorus lyric “you must be tired of me shaking like a dog”. When it came time to find a name for the project, we were drawn to this phrase as much of the lyrical content embraces life’s most intense feelings: love, loss, grief, fear, uncertainty. Conceptually, the phrase “like a damn dog” forfeits the nuance of humanity and shows us offering our experiences at their most fundamental level. Whether that be feeling diminished and dehumanized in relationships or feeling fearful akin to a cowering dog, the metaphor felt fitting for our overarching narrative of settling into adulthood and the strings attached to doing so in the modern world.
Were there specific musical or personal influences that shaped the direction of Like A Damn Dog either as a whole or for particular songs?
Like A Damn Dog was influenced in sound far more by the lyrical content than it was by outside musical influence at the time of writing, which was a bit of a departure for us compared to the writing processes of our previous work. We made efforts to create a symbiotic relationship between the music and the message, trying to accurately portray the feelings both sonically and lyrically. We spent 3 months in rural Connecticut writing and demoing this record, and the fully immersive and isolating experience fostered an environment of intense focus and dedication, which resulted in us mostly listening to the music we were actively creating. We did put jazz records on the turntable while we ate breakfast but can’t say that is reflected much in the music.
You released the newest song “Policy” on Jan. 10, shortly before the announcement. How did that song come about, and how does it reflect the direction of the album? Does it signal a shift in sound or lyrical depth compared to previous releases?
“Policy” was a direct response to the Willow Project, which is an oil drilling project in Alaska for the unfamiliar. The project was approved during the writing of Like A Damn Dog, and the massive environmental impact it implies struck a chord. More generally, this song reflects upon the failures and greed of our leadership, and how the devastating impact of their actions will fall upon the younger generations. In contrast to previous releases, almost all of Like A Damn Dog is reflecting upon current events, both internally in our personal lives or externally in societal happenings. Much of our catalog prior to this release has been reflection on past feelings and experiences, so the departure from that practice led to a new and refreshing take on songwriting and lyricism for us.
“The Cue” blew up and now has over 2 million streams on Spotify. How did that song set the tone for the album, and what inspired you guys to release that song?
“The Cue” was a surprise favorite within the band. Although we recognized it as a song of substance, it never truly got the demo it deserved. Because of this, we were all pleasantly surprised when the final recording came back to us and it quickly rose from deep cut to lead single status. Lyrically, “The Cue” explores the unfortunately common experience of finding yourself wishing for more closure after a falling out. It wasn’t until we began teasing the song on social media that we realized just how much it would resonate with listeners. Although it was always destined for the album, as soon as this fan connection became apparent it was a no-brainer to release the song as a single ahead of the album release.
How did you decide which tracks to include on the album, and how did you ensure they complement one another? How do you balance the different tones across the album while keeping it cohesive?
The process of choosing tracks for the album was a relatively natural one. Although we came into our stay in Connecticut with a small pool of potential album tracks, we were also intentional about simultaneously writing to the songs we already had. All in all, roughly half the record was written prior to the demoing process, while the other half was written in tandem. This helped keep themes, both lyrically and sonically, aligned with our vision for the album and cohesive with the tracks we already had written. Although there was intention behind the sonic landscape of the record, most of the writing and song building came intuitively.
Of all new songs, is there one you are most excited for people to hear?
Track 2, titled “Afterlife,” is a song we are all excited for the fans to hear. It is a bit of a departure sonically, but lyrically is one of our most potent yet and we hope for it to connect with fans, especially those dealing with grief and loss, which are the main themes of the track.
How does Like A Damn Dog compare to your previous albums in terms of sound and storytelling?
As mentioned earlier, we made great efforts to match the sonic themes with the lyrical themes on this record. On The Living End, we did almost the opposite. Sad lyrics were countered with upbeat, happy sounding music. On Like A Damn Dog, we naturally found our way towards keeping the sad songs sad, forfeiting pop sensibility for authenticity and emotional impact. We wanted the music to evoke the same feelings the lyrics do, letting the instruments do just as much storytelling as the words. Although there is risk in this departure, we are more than happy to gamble for the sake of impact and honesty.
What do you hope fans take away from Like A Damn Dog?
Like A Damn Dog ultimately chronicles our journey as we settle into adulthood and how we are navigating this stage of life. We hope the fans find solace in our expression of such, knowing they are not alone in anything they are feeling.
What are you most looking forward to about your North American tour? Are there any specific songs or moments you’re especially excited to share with fans live?
Connecting with fans is the highlight of any tour, and this tour is no exception. We get to visit a handful of cities new to us which is always a pleasure, along with seeing familiar faces from tours passed. Although we did get the chance to play a handful of songs from the new record on our 2024 spring tour, playing them post-release is a different ball game. Collectively, we are most excited to see the momentum of “The Cue” personified during these shows and experience the connection we’ve made with our fans through that track.
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