Homeshake’s Peter Sagar Fights Loneliness on the Tour Bus with Rock Songs and Yoga – Daily News

Loneliness creeps into every corner – on the way between tour stops, in crowded spaces, and even in the privacy of familiar everyday activities. For Peter Sagar, the creator of Homeshake, these feelings are not just fleeting thoughts, but recurring motifs woven into his latest albums “Horsie” and “CD Wallet”.

“I’ve been anxious and depressed about almost everything my whole life, but I’ve learned to deal with it,” says Sagar during a tour with stops at The Regent in Los Angeles on November 7 Observatory North Park in San Diego on November 8 and Santa Ana Observatory on November 9.

“I even did yoga this morning and managed to get a jump rope, which I use when we stop for gas on the road. It’s weird, but it’s the little things that keep me sane.”

As the world reopens post-pandemic, Sagar continues to grapple with the complexities of human relationships – torn between returning to live performances and the sense of alienation that may remain afterwards. This time, however, there is a small but significant change that brings him comfort: he finally got his driver’s license in his thirties.

“That’s weird,” Sagar muses. “Touring is supposed to give you a sense of freedom, but sometimes it makes everything more confusing. Still, I like being out on the open road. I’m a late bloomer, but this is the first tour where I’m fully licensed. Even though you feel lonely most of the time, it is also a happy thing. “

The title track “Horsie” represents this duality, a sonic journey that captures the euphoria of the open highways and confronts the emptiness that can remain after concerts are over.

These twin albums “Horsie” and “CD Wallet” mark a new creative chapter for the Toronto, Canada-based musician. The decision to leave his previous label in Sinderlyn, known for releasing “In The Shower” and “Fresh Air”, gave him the freedom to experiment, resulting in two completely different albums. “Horsie,” which took first place, carries themes of anxiety, loneliness and the search for meaning, as well as emotions amplified by the isolation of confinement. However, “CD Wallet” was a quick, spontaneous project, completed in just two weeks. “It was the fastest thing I had ever done,” Sagar explains, recalling the thrill of making music without overthinking the process.

The release of “CD Wallet” allowed Sagar to once again look at the music of “Horsie” from a new perspective. Some of these original tracks will reappear on the deluxe version of the album, signaling his desire to evolve even with his latest work.

“I decided to do ‘Horsie; travel album,” he shares. “With this album, I wanted to expand my personal experiences into a broader context that I hope will resonate with listeners. Trails are such a big part of my life that they seem to be second nature to me, but I’ve never talked about it before. I just felt like I had to do something. I do not intentionally intend to discuss these matters. It’s more about them coming out because they have to.

Returning to the road left Sagar with mixed emotions. Although he had long been open about his struggles with anxiety and depression, the experience of getting back on the road after lockdown was unexpectedly unsettling. “Performing live again was something I was looking forward to, but it also brought up a lot of anxiety. Always, no matter where we go or where we perform, the thought always comes to my mind: “Will anyone be here?” I still do that on every show.”

It’s a surprising sentiment considering his cult following has remained with him since his 2014 debut album, which blossomed after the fervor of the DIY bedroom pop scene that spawned artists such as Cuco, Clairo, The Marías, Still Woozy and Frankie Kosmos. Over the years, Sagar has moved from intimate venues to larger stages, performing at major festivals such as the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Primavera Sound in Barcelona, Spain.

Beyond the emotional hurdles, Homeshake’s music itself has undergone a significant change. Originally known for his mellow pop guitar sound, Sagar’s work now embraces a more textural, synth-driven approach. His latest influences include artists such as Four Tet and D’Angelo, whose early recordings inspired Sagar to explore sonic layers. “I wanted to get away from the dry sound of computer music,” he says. “So I used the Sonic EPS sampler and went back to the basics of getting really good textures.”

Sagar’s creative evolution is deeply intertwined with the core group of musicians he has worked with since 2014, the same year he left indie stardom Mac DeMarco team to focus on Homeshake full-time. Although Homeshake is largely his personal project, Sagar has relied on his steady band for live performances and tours, which has allowed him to bring his vision to life on stage.

“I always knew I would pursue my own music,” Sagar recalls. “Since I was 12 or 13, I haven’t been good at anything other than music – it means the world to me. I always knew I would find a way to write songs and be successful with it. I knew I had to make it work, I had no choice.

He goes on to explain that DeMarco’s time with the band – where he spent as much as eight months a year on the road for three years in a row – was formative but ultimately unsustainable. “Being in DeMarco’s band was amazing, but I got to the point where I didn’t have room for anything anymore. I don’t regret it and he is still a dear friend of mine. During this time, I’ve learned a lot in terms of how I want to handle my craft.

Maintaining the same team for over a decade had its challenges, especially with members living in different cities. Still, Sagar emphasizes the importance of a healthy dynamic while on tour. “Touring is not just about the music,” he explains. “It’s about being able to navigate life together and understand each other’s emotions along the way.”

Despite the ups and downs, Sagar remains grounded in his creative journey. “The biggest change over the years has been managing expectations,” he admits. “When everything is going well, it’s easy to get lost in the pressure. But at the end of the day, I make music because I have to – it’s something I have to do.”

The current Homeshake tour has given Sagar a chance to reconnect with his audience in a new way. While the challenges of adapting fresh material to a live performance remain, Sagar finds joy in playing louder, more energetic rock songs on stage. “I look forward to every day on the road. I’m just grateful that people still listen to me.”