INTERVIEW: Sara Jean Stevens Calls For Pan Visibility

Sara Jean Stevens doesn't hold back – her thoughts as blunt and as the outlaw country heroes she pays homage to in her music. Stevens, based near Chicago ("I don’t live in Chicago. I like being in the woods with my kids."), is prepping to release her sophomore EP, Lovesick. Out February 14, the four layered tracks bring hints of country, folk, roadhouse and singer-songwriter poetry, and continue exploring her unique voice in Americana.

Stevens grew up on a horse farm in Illinois — and those long rides inform her honky tonk-inspired country. There’s a punk edge lurking in the background though, which provides an intriguing texture to Stevens’ timeless tales. In the past couple of years, her sound has caught the attention of acclaimed roots, rock, country and folk artists like John Hiatt, Rhett Miller (Old 97s), The Wood Brothers, Nora O’Connor and Whitehorse who have called on Stevens to open for them. In our interview, Stevens tells us about her heroes and the value of queer visibility. Her latest single, "Fourteen Carat Mind," premiered on our sister site Adobe & Teardrops.

Who are some of your musical influences?
I grew up with hippies for parents, so lots of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Moody Blues, Allman Brothers in rotation.

We had a horse farm, so that 90s country is also ingrained in the fibers of my being! KD Lang, Alan Jackson, etc. My big love is Emmylou Harris, of course. She opens her mouth and this perfect voice just falls out.

Nothing else like it. Current players who blow my mind include Kassi Valazza, Lizzie No, SG Goodman, Yola, Kacey Musgraves, Sierra Ferrell.

Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.
“Luxury Liner” by Gram Parsons, but the Emmylou version. Every time I listen to it I hear something I missed the time before. It’s full of life, and makes me want to dance. The band on her recording is just on fire. Perfection.

Explain the title of your album.
I wrote "Lovesick," the title track for the EP, 20 years ago, back when I was a bleeding heart nomad traveling all over the country. It had to live inside me all
these years before I finally released it into the world. I feel like it earned its keep. It’s important enough (to me) to title the EP after it.

Do you start off with the music or lyrics first? Why?
I keep running notes and books of lyrics…some are many, many years old. When I come up with an interesting guitar part, I sort through lyrics to see what sticks. I’ll add in new lyrics as needed. I never force it. If it comes to me, it comes to me. If it doesn’t, I step away or try something else. Recently I’ve finally gotten to record a couple old OLD songs, like “Lovesick” and “Depths Below.”

Where are some places you’ve found joy within the country/Americana world?
There’s so many of us queer artists out here now! It’s beautiful to see people opening up and embracing that part of themselves, as artists.

How do you feel your queer identity ties into your performance style or music?
Honestly, I’d love to get booked for more “queer country” nights! I deal with queer erasure, being a pansexual woman in a hetero marriage. Like, I’m still queer! Hi! Over here!

My sexuality didn’t magically change when I got married to a man. I’ve posted about this before, and I get so many messages from other queer women friends who are married to men, sympathizing. It’s a real thing.

Have you ever been given something remarkable by a fan?
When I release new music, my sister in law gives me the most lovely, heartfelt critiques. She listens to each song multiple times, then shares her beautiful, detailed thoughts on each one. Just knowing that someone took the time to really listen to the songs and lyrics means so much!

Chicagoans can catch the Lovesick release show on 2/14 at Fitzgeralds, which will also feature The Hoyle Brothers, Reilly Downes, Lydia Cash, Kiley Bree, and Christine Melody

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