ALLYOURS is the musical project of Atlanta based musicians (and musical soulmates) Sarra Jayne and XSAVIOR. Originally New York natives, the pair recently packed their bags and moved to Georgia in search of change. We at Indie Top 39 recently came across their sultry, summer track called ‘Sweet Babe’ and just couldn’t get enough of it. We had to know more about the magical duo and the story of The Sugar Shack – and we were lucky enough to be able to interview them! Introducing… ALLYOURS.
Could you tell our audience a little bit about how ALLYOURS began and when your love affairs with music started?
We would love to! ALLYOURS is the brainchild of Sarra Jayne and XSAVIOR, who met at a producer showcase in Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 2017. Our affection for music began in our early teens. We were both involved in our high school’s Jazz Ensemble programs, and we soaked up as much knowledge of music as we could early on.
Your brand new single, ‘Sweet Babe’, is an absolute banger! How did it come into existence and what does it mean to you?
Thank you!!! Our single Sweet Babe is very special to us, as it was created with our dear friend FrenchiexVii, who Sarra Jayne met at a songwriting workshop in Brooklyn in 2018.
I read that ‘Sweet Babe’ was recorded in Sarra’s mother’s backyard studio named The Sugar Shack. You have to tell us more!?
Ohhhh, The Sugar Shack! Nestled in the woods in the backyard of Sarra’s mom’s house, this converted shed is the perfect creative sanctuary. We’ve been very lucky to utilize the space for sessions over the years.
We’ve curated some amazing vibes in The Sugar Shack! In the summer of 2019, FrenchiexVii came to visit from Brooklyn and when she arrived, we wrote Sweet Babe in one sitting.
ALLYOURS
It was so fun making that song, and we know for certain that the energy was on point because of that space.
I know that you’re highly influenced by R&B, Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop, to name just a few. What bands/artists have shaped your musical soundscape?
We are students of R&B for sure!
ALLYOURS
We’re incredibly inspired by the likes of H.E.R., Erykah Badu, Miguel, Sabrina Claudio. On the hip-hop side we love 6lack, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Teyanna Taylor and so many more. We could ramble on for hours!
Desert island time! You’re about to be cast away and each of you are allowed to take 2 albums with. What do you go with?
XSAVIOR:
1) What Kinda Music by Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes
2) El Último Tour Del Mundo by Bad Bunny
Sarra Jayne:
1) Made In Lagos by Wizkid
2) Urban Flora by Alina Baraz
The pandemic continues to play havok on the world! How has the experience been for each of you?
The pandemic did indeed turn our world upside down. In early March, as things were worsening and tensions getting higher, we wrote a song as a means of a release called “Wild As We Wanna Be”. It acted almost as a metaphor for how we were feeling in the beginning phases of the Covid crisis. When we were in full-on lockdown, we tried our best to stay connected and present. We were separated for weeks at a time, but luckily had Zoom and Facetime to stay in tune with each other. One of our favorite discoveries was a plugin called Satellite Sessions designed by Mixed In Key. It allowed us to collaborate with each other in real-time over Zoom while recording and using our DAWs.
Atlanta has been called “hip-hop’s center of gravity” and “the melting pot of the South”. Do you feel lucky to be based there?
We do feel lucky to be here! As native New Yorkers, we were seeking a change of scenery, energy and lifestyle and we feel incredibly blessed to have a lot of friends down here that are also producers, songwriters, artists and all-around good folks.
We are in great company and are really looking forward to expanding our creative tribe out here.
ALLYOURS
It’s actually crazy when looking at all the musical talent to have come out of Atlanta. Ludacris, Outkast, Lil Jon, Jeezy. The list is endless. What’s in the water down there?
We think it must be fire water or something! Moonshine? We’ll be finding out soon enough 🙂
I’m always intrigued to discover how band’s decided on their name. What’s the story behind ALLYOURS?
Music is our love language. It seemed almost too good to be true, that we were musical soulmates and lovers.
ALLYOURS
After the first few years of experimenting sonically, trying to find our sound – we realized that we were a duo. That we had this identity that no one else could replicate, and so we set out to find the perfect name. While listening back to our earlier demos, there was a love song that Sarra had written about X and in the final phrase of the song, she sang “I’m all yours.” We shortened the said phrase and voila! We found the perfect name that truly reflects how we feel about each other.
I know that lots of your songs have come about from co-writing with your musically inclined friends. What do you find so special about collaboration?
Collaboration is KEY for us. We are firm believers that without collaboration, work gets redundant, bland, and can even lack excitement.
ALLYOURS
Once you invite other like-minded individuals into the creative equation, that’s when the magic sparks. Songs come together at a faster pace and ideas are dreamt up that we wouldn’t have expected. Experimentation is fun and we enjoy doing so with our collaborators. That’s why co-writing, co-producing and sharing the work flow with others is so special.
If you were each allowed to ‘steal’ one song in the world and claim it as your own, what would it be and why?
Sarra: I Want You Around by Snoh Aalegra
Why? The song is timeless for me. The melodies and the message of the song are so pure and can be enjoyed by people from all different age groups.
XSAVIOR: Floods by Lucky Daye
Why? The emotion in the piano chords, the progression, and the way Lucky’s vocals float above and carry the story of the song.
What would success in the music industry look like to you? Is it important or a cherry-on-top?
Success in the music industry for us would be to make all of our income from music, to quit our day jobs and never look back. A big motivator for us is getting on the radar of music supervisors and publishers. Our dream is to consistently work in the world of Sync, with our songs being sought after for commercials, television shows and films.
You’re allowed to collaborate with one musician or band. Who do you choose?
Hands! Down! Snoh! Aalegra! We have been huge admirers of her and her work from the beginning of her career. To write and produce for her would be a dream come true.
What does the future hold for ALLYOURS?
The future holds a lot of new musical releases and lotsssss of new collaborations and continuous growth. We are so excited to be in a new city together and finally have a joint studio.
The world will know the name ALLYOURS, we can promise you that!!!
ALLYOURS
Make sure to connect with ALLYOURS via Instagram
Introducing » Artists We Interviewed
This coverage was created in collaboration with Musosoup as part of the #SustainableCurator movement.
