Sad Song Queens

What makes a sad song so powerful? On this episode of Sad Song Queens, music supervisors Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington sit down with singer-songwriter and hit songwriter Sasha Alex Sloan to dive deep into her emotionally resonant song “Older,” a deeply personal track about growing up, complicated family relationships, and realizing that our parents are human, flawed, and figuring life out just like the rest of us. Sasha Alex Sloan opens up about the childhood experiences and family dynamics that inspired the song, the healing power of songwriting, and how getting older has given her a newfound perspective, understanding, and grace.

Sasha Alex Sloan shares the story behind her journey from posting songs on Reddit to signing a publishing deal at 19, moving to Los Angeles, and becoming an in-demand songwriter for some of the biggest names in music, including Olivia Rodrigo, Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars, Charli XCX, and more. She talks about writing for other artists versus releasing her own music, navigating the music industry, her viral hit “Dancing With Your Ghost,” and the inspiration behind her latest album, The Crowd Goes Mild. She tells us what a dream it was to write “What’s Wrong with Me” with Olivia Rodrigo and Daniel Nigro, and then to have Robert Smith of The Cure included on the track! Sasha Alex Sloan also gets candid about vulnerability, relationships, codependency, body image, and finding the courage to keep making music.

Plus, we explore what makes a song truly sad, why major chords paired with heartbreaking lyrics can hit even harder, and the songs that have made Sasha Alex Sloan cry. From the emotional stories behind her songs to the unexpected moments that shape a songwriter's life, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes music says what we can't quite put into words.  

If you love sad songs, thoughtful songwriting, and the stories behind the music that makes us feel everything, this episode is for you.
Support the show
To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! 
Find us elsewhere: 
https://linktr.ee/sadsongqueens

If you like what you hear, you can buy us a coffee!
Our theme song is "All My Favorite Songs" by Weezer, courtesy of Crush Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.
Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui. 
Check out our friends at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles!

In this truly unforgettable episode of Sad Song Queens, hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington are beyond thrilled to sit down with Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of the legendary Indigo Girls. The conversation kicks off with a nostalgic dive into the true origins of the duo’s 1992 track "Love Will Come to You" (off their seminal Rites of Passage album) and expands to their unexpected global pop-culture resurgence when "Closer to Fine" soundtracked Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster Barbie movie - a synch they never expected that also introduced their song to a whole new generation. 
Emily Saliers and Amy Ray reflect on their incredible four-decade long musical partnership, unique creative processes, the powerful storytelling that shaped a generation, the gorgeous mechanics of their stunning vocal harmonies, and why the Indigo Girls continue to be such a vital, unifying force in music today. Amy and Emily share lovely reflections on how they first met in high school, the organic way their distinct creative styles blend together, and the enduring bonds that have sustained their journey through every changing season of life. 
The Indigo Girls share how the powerful sense of community at their live shows remains a vital anchor for both them and their fans. From their enduring commitment to grassroots activism, they open up generously about the causes closest to their hearts, while also swapping their all-time favorite sad songs and discussing the deep musical influences that have shaped their lives.
Along with stories from their lifelong dedication to music and advocacy, the conversation naturally turns to the present day as they share candid updates on Emily's health, touring adjustments, balancing family life with teenagers, and upcoming projects and tour dates. 
Tune in for a deeply moving, heartwarming, and unforgettable hour with two true legends—you won't want to miss a single moment! 
Keywords: Indigo Girls, Barbie Movie, Love Will Come to You, Closer To Fine, Music Podcast, Folk Rock, Emily Saliers, Amy Ray, Songwriter Interview, Music Supervisors, Lindsay Wolfington, Laura Webb, Sad Song Queens podcast
Support the show
To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! 
Find us elsewhere: 
https://linktr.ee/sadsongqueens

If you like what you hear, you can buy us a coffee!
Our theme song is "All My Favorite Songs" by Weezer, courtesy of Crush Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.
Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui. 
Check out our friends at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles!

Hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington sit down with Nick Carpenter—aka Medium Build—for an honest and unfiltered conversation on this episode of the Sad Song Queens podcast.
The episode centers on "Thank You, Cook," the closing track from Medium Build's album King of Having Fun. Together, they explore why Nick gravitates toward slow, melancholic tempos and how getting sober allowed him to strip away years of emotional armor, regret, and defensive facades. Along the way, they unpack unique insights—from the creative process behind writing lyrics in stages and the exhausting pursuit of external validation, to the creative weight of balancing catchiness and raw despair.
From reflections on childhood in Marietta, Georgia, to a live guitar demonstration breaking down why specific minor chord progressions create tension and grief, the discussion stays grounded in the heavy, necessary work of feeling your feelings. They reflect on how Medium Build's honesty in music builds an unexpected community of fellow artists, proving that shared grief can turn into genuine connection. They unpack the quiet space where past heartbreak, deep gratitude, and self-acceptance meet—and why sometimes a sad song is the only true medicine.
Medium Build also shares his favorite sad songs - ones no one has mentioned before!
What happens when an artist stops trying to outrun their own darkness and finally lets the tape roll on what the heart wants to say? Tune in to hear the candid, unvarnished story behind the songs that refuse to let you off easy.
Keywords:
Medium Build, Nick Carpenter, Thank You, Cook song meaning, King of Having Fun album, story behind the song, singer-songwriter interviews, indie folk, indie rock, alternative singer-songwriter, music supervision, music supervisor podcast, Lindsay Wolfington, Laura Webb, Sad Song Queens podcast

Support the show
To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! 
Find us elsewhere: 
https://linktr.ee/sadsongqueens

If you like what you hear, you can buy us a coffee!
Our theme song is "All My Favorite Songs" by Weezer, courtesy of Crush Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.
Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui. 
Check out our friends at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles!

In this episode of the Sad Song Queens, music supervisors Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington sit down with the incomparable Brandi Carlile—an Oscar nominee, 11-time Grammy winner, two-time Emmy winner, and New York Times best-selling author who has released ten studio albums to date.  They discuss Brandi Carlile’s stunning new deluxe release, Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version),  which features intimate, reimagined versions of all ten songs from the original album. Brandi details the meticulous and vulnerable choices behind reshaping these tracks, including a deep-dive discussion into Brandi’s latest single "Human (Sad Gay Version)," her beautiful collaboration with Jon Hopkins. 
Fresh off winning Song of the Year at the 2026 Americana Awards for the title track "Returning To Myself" from her acclaimed 2025 album of the same name, Brandi Carlile joins the show to discuss her incredible career and collaborations with idols like Joni Mitchell and Elton John. She also reflects on how the music she listened to in her adolescence influenced both versions of Returning to Myself, and what sad songs got her through her younger years. 
Laura, Lindsay and Brandi share their love for sad songs and go through many of their favorites to determine what makes a song “sad gay” - a genre in and of itself, according to Brandi - while playing a game of "Sad vs Sad Gay,”  They also share stories about the shows’ past guests whom she has been inspired by and worked with, including Sara Bareilles, Bernie Taupin, the Secret Sisters, and Lucius, celebrating the tight-knit community of incredible artists she continually champions.
Whether you are looking for a good cry, a deep dive into the craft of songwriting, or simply an inspiring conversation about community and creativity, this episode has it all. Grab your tissues, check out the show notes for the full playlist of every track discussed, and tune in now to experience this unforgettable chat with Brandi Carlile!
Keywords: Brandi Carlile, Returning To Myself Sad Gay Version, Human featuring Jon Hopkins (Sad Gay Version), story behind the song, indie folk music, singer-songwriter interviews, music supervision, acoustic sad songs, music supervisor podcast, Lindsay Wolfington, Laura Webb, Sad Song Queens podcast
Support the show
To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! 
Find us elsewhere: 
https://linktr.ee/sadsongqueens

If you like what you hear, you can buy us a coffee!
Our theme song is "All My Favorite Songs" by Weezer, courtesy of Crush Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.
Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui. 
Check out our friends at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles!

Singer-songwriter duo, The Secret Sisters, join Sad Song Queens hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington to dive into the emotional backstory behind their poignant track, “Hold You Dear” from their 2020 album Saturn Return.  In this intimate conversation, real-life sisters Laura Rogers and Lydia Slagle, reflect on the raw vulnerability of early motherhood, family, and the fleeting nature of time that inspired the song.   

Known for their close vocal harmonies, traditional Southern roots, and introspective songwriting across country, folk, and Americana music, The Secret Sisters have carved out a unique space in modern roots music.  They share details of their music career journey that started unexpectedly when a spontaneously open audition in Nashville led to a record deal and their 2010 self-titled debut, produced by T-Bone Burnett and Dave Cobb. The album brought rapid national attention and tour slots alongside Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, and Ray LaMontagne.   
The Secret Sisters tell Lindsay and Laura about their challenging experiences in the music industry, and how they almost left the business before Brandi Carlile encouraged them to continue making music. Carlile then co-produced two of their albums, You Don't Own Me Anymore (2017) and Saturn Return (2020) - both earning them Grammy nominations for Best Folk Album.  Their most recent album, Mind, Man, Medicine (2024), is a deeply emotional exploration of human connection, self-reliance, and post-pandemic healing co-produced alongside Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes, St. Paul & the Broken Bones) and John Paul White (formerly of Grammy-winning duo the Civil Wars).   

To wrap up the episode, Laura and Lydia break down their personal favorite cry-worthy tracks from legends like John Prine and George Jones to modern masters like Big Thief and Madison Cunningham, making this an essential listen for anyone who loves a good cry. 

So grab your tissues and prepare for tears as you dive into this deeply moving episode!
Keywords: The Secret Sisters interview, Hold You Dear, Laura Rogers, Lydia Slagle, Cry-worthy songs, songs about motherhood, acoustic folk harmonies, Sad songs podcast, music supervisor podcast, Lindsay Wolfington, Laura Webb

Support the show
To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! 
Find us elsewhere: 
https://linktr.ee/sadsongqueens

If you like what you hear, you can buy us a coffee!
Our theme song is "All My Favorite Songs" by Weezer, courtesy of Crush Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.
Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui. 
Check out our friends at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles!