Get to Know: Sarah Levins
Sarah Levins. Photo credit: James Tarbotton
Sarah Levins is a Sydney-based artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist crafting introspective soundscapes that blur the lines between intimate and orchestral. Known for her eclectic live shows, Levins continues to shape Sydney’s genre-agnostic scene through collaborative performances and innovative projects that reimagine space, sound, and emotional storytelling.
Her sophomore EP Eye Spy, out now, explores life’s circular patterns and the interplay between scale, pairing delicate observations with expansive arrangements.
We caught up with Sarah to chat about what’s inspiring her in the local scene right now, what she’s been listening to, and what makes a live show special.
For fans of Joni Mitchell, Julia Jacklin, and Lianne La Havas.
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Go to song/album when you want to listen to something you know you love?
Lianne La Havas’ self-titled 2020 album, will never get tired of it. Particularly the last song ‘Sour Flower’.
First album you ever bought?
Joni Mitchell’s Blue. Before that, I think it was Hook Me Up by The Veronicas or So Fresh Hits of Autumn when I was eight.
Are there any local acts you're loving at the moment?
Jerome Blazé, Beryl, Hinano Fujisaki
What’s the best live gig you’ve been to lately?
Nils Frahm at the Sydney Opera House. He played a gold glass harmonica that was lit from above and threw light around the concert hall the whole performance. Really haunting and beautiful.
Where would you take a friend visiting Eora/Sydney for the first time? Any hidden gem spots-food, parks, shops etc. that you think more people should know about?
Small’s Deli for lunch, Nomodikoro Indigo for dinner. Not a hidden gem but the combination of a walk in the Botanic Gardens followed by a swim at Boy Charlton on a sunny day is the best. The Randwick Ritz is a great old art deco cinema that’s never super busy. I can’t stop going to Cairo Takeaway at the moment, so would probably take them there for a second dinner.
In your opinion, what are the elements that go into making a show special?
I think the key ingredients are good sound, an interesting visual element and if it’s more than one person playing, the level of engagement between the people onstage (which tends to shape the audience’s engagement). I love seeing the people onstage respond to each other, seeing their surprise or enjoyment towards what another person is playing and observing how this draws the audience in.
Do you have a book or movie recommendation that you could share?
Does a Substack count? I’ve loved reading Laura Marling’s newsletter called Patterns in Repeat recently.
What are your go-to venues to see live music in Eora/Sydney?
Lazy Thinking, Phoenix Central Park, Annandale Creative Arts Centre
Top 3 singer/songwriters of all time?
Joni Mitchell, Laura Marling, Simon & Garfunkel
You're a multi-instrumentalist, is there an instrument you think is underrated?
Harmonium! Glass harmonica close second.
Listen to Sarah Levins x Somersault curated playlist along with her latest EP ‘Eye Spy’ below.