Casper Sage Is A ‘Synthesis’ Of Emotion ‘+’ Courage

Courtesy of Elizabeth Marsh

Casper Sage touches on a litany of traditional R&B topics like love, love lost, heartbreak, infatuation, and yearning, among other feels. 

However, Sage's Synthesis+ explores that emotion through unconventional songwriting and leftfield production. The 6-track EP was crafted with a "back-to-school" backdrop in mind. And much like that annual autumnal experience, Synthesis+ invokes anxiety, eagerness, and a certain wide-eyed innocence. 

Casper Sage spoke to In Search Of Magazine about his project, what inspired him to get into music, and more about the mysterious rising musician. 

In Search Of Magazine: So how did we get here? What inspired you to get into music?

Casper Sage: Every opportunity to play or listen to music loud pulled me in as a kid. I've always loved getting lost in music. The inspiration came when I felt like I could learn to provide that experience for others like me. It started with a MacBook and midi piano, then I learned some guitar, and then I really started getting into mixing and matching production styles and songwriting. Music has helped me to feel accepted and understood.

Where are you from? Who are your main musical inspirations?

I was born and raised in Northwest Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I thought it was boring when I was younger which led me to spending a lot of time on the internet, which helped me to find the source materials for what I love now and led me to leave the city. The ironic thing is that now that I've left, my favorite moments in each and every new city are the ones when I'm reminded of home. Very full circle. 

My main musical inspirations right now? hmmm…I have been really enjoying refreshing textures and nice songwriting within music like Jean Dawson's latest EP and Choker's Honeybloom. I never know what's gonna inspire until I find it though.

What was the inspiration behind your latest project, Synthesis+?

Synthesis+ was mainly crafted for the beginning of the school year (my favorite time of the year). I had been making a bit more warm/daytime/listenable music and wanted to deliver a project that captured the past, lived in the present, and bridged to what's coming in the future. 

What was different in your approach to this project from your past work?

I feel that I really have a beautiful group of people around me to kinda bounce ideas off of on whatever creative endeavor I'm obsessed with at the moment. This project had some of the most effortless collaboration I've ever had which really changed my mindset on it as a whole. I've got my lovely lady (aria.) on backgrounds on "U4EA", and got some mixing / production credits from some homies/band mates on "Brown Noise" as well. It feels better to have a tribe of people to celebrate the project with you. 

One of my favorite cuts off the EP is "U4EA". There's something vintage yet wholly new about the production and your delivery. Talk to me about the creation of that song? Is that a sample on that record? 

The drums came to me first and then the clav and electric piano and I kid you not it was pretty much wraps from there. There aren't any samples on there. 

What's your favorite track on the project? Why? 

They've all been my favorite at one time or another but I really love "FML" because it's the perfect song to end the project on, but the end of it kind of leaves you wondering which direction things will go in next.

Did you handle all of the production across the EP? 

Yeah kind of? It's rare that I don't touch any of the production on a song that I work on even if I'm not the main producer. However, "Brown Noise" was mainly the work of Henry Park. He has a beautiful work space and was the catalyst in how that song came together. I just showed up, jammed a bit, wrote my music, and was out. 

I know you just dropped Synthesis+ BUT are there plans for an album in 2024? 

The album and next project will be entitled SAGEhaven.

What are three albums or tracks you've had in rotation lately? 

I've been listening to Man Alive by King Krule, the new Sampha / new James Blake, and "moderation is better for us" by Cosmo's Demos.

Is there anything else you want the people to know?

That I'm truly grateful and appreciative for everyone who has listened as well as shared my music. Also, thanks for having me for this interview and thanks to those who took the time to read through it.