Sally Han: Chasing Pleasure

Now let’s hop right into this latest single, “One Last Time” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

I started writing my latest single “One Last Time” in Seoul, Korea, during the summertime in 2021. I was studying music production in Seoul and my previous mentor and I decided to start working together on a track. I went over to his studio and he had drums and chords ready, so I immediately recorded the bassline that day. Once the groove was locked in I wrote the melody and lyrics based on the experience I was going through back then, which was a strange situationship I wanted to get out of. I was 20 years old and this was a few weeks before moving to L.A. on my own, but I wanted to see this other person one last time, so I wrote a song about it.

Of course “One Last Time” comes courtesy of your still forthcoming debut solo EP, Planet Sarang — Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?

Sarang (사랑) is actually my Korean name and it’s literally the word “love” in the Korean language. I was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but went back and forth very often between NZ and Korea, which exposed me to different cultures at a young age. I never felt like I fit in wherever I was and I feel like I never knew where home was, I really just felt like I was floating around. Even to this day I always crave the idea of a home-base and stability, but I’ve gotten so used to moving to the next place and adapting. My EP Planet Sarang is a representation of my own world that I created in my mind. For me, home is not a location but it’s more of a feeling of comfort that I can provide for myself wherever I land. It’s a creative place that I can access whenever I want. It’s a place free of judgement where I can say whatever I want, however I want. Recently I have been moving back and forth every month or two between London and L.A., and it has been even more essential to latch onto this self-made idea of “home” which is Planet Sarang for a sense of security. I hope this project can provide similar feelings for the people that never really knew where “home” was.

How then does “One Last Time” either differ and / or compare to previous SALLY HAN entries?

My first single “On The Phone” was about my mother. The song is about isolating yourself from the world, facing your mind for growth, but in that process feeling lonely. So I call my mother “On The Phone.” I was nineteen when I made the song with my great friend Anant Shah. I’m doing the right thing for myself, letting go of negative external influences to protect myself, whereas in “One Last Time” I’m doing the opposite. In this new song I’m aware that this whole connection is fake but I want to expose myself to it once more out of pleasure. It’s about knowing what I want but still struggling with attachment, lust, and chasing that high one last time.

As a songwriter, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration from?

I write about all my life experiences and thoughts that go through my head in that moment. If I don’t write it all out and process it I feel like I’m going to go nuts, so it’s important for me to pour my feelings out in a safe space in the studio or at home everyday. It’s the only time I feel like I can say literally everything I want and it’s very liberating.

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for SALLY HAN?

I started music when I was 5 years old with Classical Piano, and I have been playing multiple instruments and singing since then. It has been 17 years of the same thing my whole life and it feels like a marriage. I love it the most, provides me the most joy, but it also stresses me out the most. I have a feeling that’s what real marriage would feel like as well.

Now you’re a native of where exactly? And growing up there, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

In New Zealand I was able to really connect with myself and what I truly liked because no one was telling me to do anything. It felt like I had full ownership of my life and the choice was all mine. I was always listening to music and playing my instruments at home. I was involved in every music related class, Jazz band, orchestra, music competition, choir, musical theatre etcetera. I worked as a music tutor after school to make money, everything revolved around music 24/7. I really got deep into Jazz during high school and was playing lots of gigs in Auckland as a bass player. I got into Jazz school, too, but decided to pursue songwriting. Currently in Los Angeles and I plan to settle down here to pursue my music career.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

I want them to feel pleasurable. Sometimes I’ll think myself that constantly chasing “pleasure” is a shallow act, but then I think about all the deep emotions that my favorite songs provide for me, and they all eventually lead to pleasure. If a song is thought provoking, that is eventually “pleasurable” for me since it is mentally stimulating. If a song is dark and painful therefore “relatable”, eventually that makes me feel pleasure since I feel understood, and being understood is a pleasant feeling. If a song makes me feel one with a certain group of people, it makes me feel pleasure since I feel a sense of inclusivity and community. I think the concept of “pleasure” is a lot deeper than we think.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

My dream collaboration is The Weeknd. He makes me feel understood during emotionally complex times.

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?

Love, enjoyment and pure passion has been key for longevity so far and will probably be the only feelings that will help me endure whatever happens is about to happen.

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you all see yourself?

I see myself enjoying life, very passionate about music, art, making dope music videos, dope creative people around me, still unable to drive and Ubering everywhere, performing, connecting.

As for the immediate, what’s next for you, SALLY?

I’m going to release my 3rd single pretty soon, then my EP. I’m so excited to share what I’ve been working on, because it just has been way too fun creating all my songs. I just want to keep creating and sharing.