“IT’S STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS” | SAINT SAPPHO ON NEW ALBUM, GRIEF AND CREATIVE REBIRTH
INTERVIEW | SAINT SAPPHO by Anne Kelly
It’s not often that a band can say that they evolved from a swipe right to a criticially acclaimed debut album in the space of a few years, but for Tammy and Zoe – the combined mind of Saint Sappho – the journey has been a whirlwind of discovery, grief, and creative rebirth. Blending a hazy, 90s-infused shoegaze aesthetic for a 2026 audience, the duo are hitting their stride with the release of their much anticipated debut album Between the Lines this week.
From packing out Glasgow Assai Records one day to taking the JD Twitch stage at Queen’s Park Spring Weekender the next, Saint Sappho are next set to take on the Classic Grand as part on Northern Exposure Live on Saturday 9th May.
We managed to catch a moment with Tammy to chat about the new record, their live transformation from a duo to a quartet and the wide reaching influences that bind their unique sound together.
For those unfamiliar with Saint Sappho, how would you describe your sound? Where did you two first cross paths, and at what point did you realise you had to make music together?
The sound is somewhere in between shoegaze/indie/britpop. We (Tammy and Zoe) met on a dating app so that’s how we ended up crossing paths but the making music together came 4 years later. Zoe was a solo musician and when I heard her music I encouraged her to do live shows but she didn’t want to perform without a band so I decided we should form one, even though I didn’t play anything. I started learning the drums and the rest is history.
Your debut album, Between The Lines, dropped on May 1st. Talk us through the timeline that has led to this point?
The album was supposed to come out last year but we put it on pause temporarily, as we started this journey with Keith McIvor (JD Twitch/Optimo) and planned to release it with him. Sadly, he passed away [September 2025] and we made the decision to postpone it and eventually the date we landed upon was May 1st. We started the journey with him and we pushed through, trying to make the album with his words of encouragement in the back of our minds. It was really difficult at times.
Does the finished record align with the vision you had when you first formed the duo, or did the songs evolve into something unexpected? Also, which track do you feel acts as the “heart” of the album?
I think the finished record is far beyond what we ever imagined we would create when we first made this decision to make music together. Things evolved so much and are constantly evolving – which is exciting. I think the heart has to be ‘Between the Lines’, it really summarises everything.
You’ve mentioned a love for that 90s alternative sound – who was on heavy rotation at the time of recording? Were there any non-musical influences (films, places, or feelings) that bled into the lyrics?
We usually listen to the same songs over and over – Primal Scream, Madonna, Meredith Brooks, Sarah McLachlan, REM, William Orbit, Moby but also influence comes from films and places/experiences so the conglomeration of all of that merged together has definitely influenced the sound.
As for the live show, do you perform as a duo? What are your biggest challenges in bringing your big sound to the stage?
Although we write and record as a duo when we play live we have two session players join us – Jack Henderson on bass and Jack Gavin on guitar. They are amazing musicians who know the sound inside out and we work together very naturally. The biggest challenges are probably trying to translate the recorded sounds into live sounds, it’s still a work in progress.
Looking ahead to your next gig at The Classic Grand on May 9th – just a week after the release – how are you translating these new studio tracks into a live setting?
We have been working hard rehearsing these songs together for a few months now in anticipation of performing after the release. Again, the actual sound is still a work in progress.
Are there any ‘Between The Lines’ songs you’re particularly nervous or excited to debut?
Definitely! We all have our favourite tracks, especially for performing live. It’ll be exciting to see how the audience react to the new songs.
In the high-pressure days leading up to a release and a big show, what do your preparation rituals look like?
We have been rehearsing a lot but we don’t have any rituals as such. Just try and enjoy it and not have any expectations.
The lineup for this show is stacked with local, female leading talent. Is there anyone else on the bill you’re particularly excited to catch on the night?
They are all great musicians, it’s a very inspiring line up to be part of. I’ll be happy to watch them all! It’s amazing to see female fronted events as well, that’s something we are super passionate about.
Finally, if you could share a stage with any Scottish bands, who would you pick?
Texas or Garbage – would be the dream.
Between the Lines by Saint Sappho is out OUT NOW and you can get your hands on very limited vinyl pressings from their website. Stream HERE.
Tickets for Northern Exposure Live on 9th May with Red Vanilla, Brielle, Flames, The High Priestess and Saint Sappho are available for just £10 (plus £1 booking fee) from B12 Entertainment now.
