There’s a certain quiet honesty in the way Sara Angel talks about music. “Emotion leads, genre follows,” she says, and it’s easy to believe her. Born in Mexico, raised in Texas, and now based in Nashville, Sara grew up surrounded by the discipline and passion of her parents’ musical worlds, yet never set out to simply follow in their footsteps. From writing her first songs in third grade to blending indie pop, R&B, and Latin influences today, her path has been about finding a sound that feels entirely her own.
So, what is love? Untouchable and always changing, flowing like water down a river — sometimes a sweetness you want to keep forever, sometimes so painful you wish it would never find you again. That same push and pull runs through her latest single, “what’s love?”, a beautiful, powerful ballad that shows the full warmth and strength of her voice. It’s the kind of song you want to sing along to from the first listen—only to realize it ends far too soon. Vulnerable yet clear, it captures that space between certainty and questioning, just as it began.
We caught up between looks on her C-Heads shoot to talk about writing from emotion, moving between languages, and finding the truth in a song.
Photography and Interview by Christopher Brown
Hey Sara, it’s great to have you with us. Your sound blends indie pop, R&B, and Latin vibes. When writing, do you think in genre – or just follow the emotion?
I definitely follow the emotion first. I never sit down thinking “I’m going to write an R&B song today.” It’s more about capturing whatever feeling I’m in and letting the production or melody guide where it lands genre-wise. Usually, it’s after the fact that I realize, oh, this has some indie textures, or this feels more Latin-influenced. Emotion leads, genre follows.
“what’s love?” feels like both a question and an unraveling. What was going through your mind or your heart when writing that song?
That song came from a place of questioning everything I thought I knew about love. I was reflecting on a relationship that blurred the line between real connection and illusion. It’s almost like I was talking to myself, trying to untangle whether what I felt was love or just the idea of it. While writing it, I felt vulnerable but also free.
You started writing songs in third grade. Do you remember what your first ones were about – and how does that compare to now?
Oh, yes. My first songs were very dramatic for an eight year old. They were about heartbreak I hadn’t even experienced yet. They were made up scenarios inspired by movies or what I’d hear on the radio. Now, my writing comes from real experiences and feelings. At the core my way of writing hasn’t changed… I still love storytelling through my songs, but there’s a lot more honesty and depth behind it now.
“…I still love storytelling through my songs, but there’s a lot more honesty and depth behind it now.”
Growing up with two musically iconic parents, how did their influence shape your approach to music, not just your sound?
Watching them work taught me discipline and passion more than anything else. I saw firsthand how much heart and persistence it takes to build a career in music. They never pushed me to do it, but they created an environment where music felt natural and expressive. I think that shaped my approach to always lead with authenticity and not be afraid to experiment.
Your cover of your father’s “Creo Que Voy a Llorar” introduced your audience to your bilingual artistry. How do you navigate choosing between English and Spanish when you’re creating new work?
It’s very instinctual. Sometimes a lyric just feels better in Spanish, and sometimes English captures the nuance I want. Because I grew up between both languages, it’s natural for me to flow between them. I don’t like to overthink it. It’s more about what makes the song feel the most genuine.
“Watching my parents work taught me discipline and passion more than anything else.”
You’ve said Nashville helped sharpen your craft. Where do you see yourself creatively heading in the next year?
I see myself leaning even more into blending the worlds I grew up in—bringing that Latin influence into modern pop in a way that feels seamless. I’ve been writing so much and experimenting with new sounds, and I’m excited to keep pushing myself and telling stories that feel both personal and universal.
On that note, what can we expect next from Sara Angel – any new music, collabs, live shows?
Definitely new music! I have a single coming soon that feels like my best work yet. I’ve also been collaborating with some amazing writers and producers, so there are a few surprises in the works.
Follow for more:
www.instagram.com/sarapangel
www.facebook.com/saraangelmx
open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist
