When Sarah Kinsley is asked what she’s trying to escape from these days, she pauses, unsure of the exact answer—but she’s getting closer to it.
“I was really keen to explore why escape feels so necessary, and how it can be both freeing and harmful at the same time,” Kinsley, the rapidly rising alt-pop sensation, shares from the comfort of her New York City apartment, mentally preparing for her upcoming North American tour, which kicks off on Sept. 15 in Vancouver. “Life demands so much of us, and while making this album, I often found myself wanting to avoid or escape those demands entirely. Yet, this music became a place where all those feelings could exist naturally.”
This delicate dance between embracing life’s tribulations and the desire to retreat lies at the core of Kinsley’s debut record, “Escaper.” The title itself is a revealing choice, reflecting Kinsley’s fascination with alternate realities, imaginary worlds, and the concept of escape—not just from external pressures, but from emotional pain, failed relationships, and the constraints of self-doubt.
“For me, this entire record is a journey—an odyssey through a lot of grief that’s accumulated over time, and what it takes to come back to yourself and realize that the present moment is still happening. That’s what this album is all about,” she reflects.
Across 12 tracks, Kinsley unpacks deeply personal yet universal themes—old friendships that have faded, the strain between romantic and platonic love, and the vulnerability that comes with loss. But despite the weighty subject matter, there’s a sense of celebration woven throughout the record.
The album’s musicality is also deeply rooted in her past.
Born in Mountain View, California, she moved to Connecticut before her family relocated to Singapore during her early teenage years. Amidst all the upheaval, one constant in her life was classical music. From a young age, Kinsley found solace at the piano, and through countless moves, her dedication to music grew. She joined youth orchestras, immersing herself in the works of Chopin, Debussy, and Ravel—composers who would later influence her own sound.
SEE ALSO: Stanley Clarke is a jazz legend. He says he just aims to be a bass player.
“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where my musical upbringing influenced me because, at this point, it’s so subconscious,” Kinsley says with a laugh. “I’ve been learning music since before I can even remember being human. I started lessons when I was about three or four, so I feel like I understood music before I could express myself through language. I’m deeply moved by Romanticism and certain composers, but on a deeper level, I’m influenced by song structures, by chords and progressions, and the way classical composers make you feel. It’s not just about the lyrics. Classical music has always been about transcending language for me. That abstract quality, the idea that music doesn’t need words to make you feel something, is what fascinates me most.”
Now based in New York, Kinsley’s classical training forms the backbone of “Escaper,” where sweeping orchestral elements meet modern alt-pop production. Teaming up with Grammy Award-winning producer John Congleton, recognized for his work with alt-rock darlings like St. Vincent and Angel Olsen, allowed Kinsley to push beyond her musical comfort zone.
With Congleton’s guidance, she expanded her creative toolkit, experimenting with new sounds, new stories, and treating each track as if it were its own story, like chapters in a larger book. The 24-year-old artist also learned to loosen her grip and step away from the perfectionist role she had taken on since her early days of making music. It wasn’t an easy shift, especially for someone who had always produced and written all of her previous work, but the payoff was worth it.
“At first, it was really challenging because I wasn’t used to collaborating like that. I’d spent so much time working alone, sometimes not seeing anyone for days, just fully immersed in the music. So opening up that process to someone else and going to a studio every day felt strange but also beautiful. In the studio, John would just shout, ‘Let’s try anything,’ and throw ideas at the wall. It was this peaceful, meditative process and the music would reveal itself if we were in the right state of mind. I never feel that way when I work alone. I always feel like I have to know exactly what I’m doing. Watching him work that way, especially since he’s made some of my favorite records, was an incredible experience.”
SEE ALSO: Linkin Park returns with new co-vocalist, album and world tour stop at the Kia Forum
And with the rollout of a new record comes a new tour. The 32-date trek will include two sold-out shows at The Troubadour on Sept. 20-21, a venue that holds special meaning for Kinsley.
“Performing in Los Angeles is always one of my highlights on tour,” she shares.
Related Articles
Insomniac’s Countdown NYE: Zedd, Alesso, Marshmello, Chris Lake, Diplo, Galantis are set to play
Coastal Country Jam: What fans need to know ahead of the country weekend
Green Day celebrates anniversaries of ‘Dookie’ and ‘American Idiot’ at SoFi Stadium
Dua Lipa is bringing the Radical Optimism tour to the Kia Forum
Stagecoach 2025: Zach Bryan, Jelly Roll and Luke Combs top the bill
Still, the experience of touring brings its own challenges. “I find it hard being away for so long, but it’s incredible to see people’s faces, to watch their bodies dance and move at the shows.”
After starting her musical journey on social media, Kinsley wasn’t always sure how her music would translate to live audiences. But now, as she visits city after city, she feels a deep sense of gratitude.
“All I wish is for people to be surprised, to be persuaded into another realm of music and feeling. I want them to leave their bodies for a moment and just think about the people they love, their lives, and everything that matters.”
Sarah Kinsley: Escaper Tour – Troubadour
When: 7 p.m. Sept. 20-21
Where: The Troubadour, 9081 N. Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood
Tickets: Shows are officially sold out, but tickets are available via secondary sellers.