MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.
Introduce yourselves, what are your names and roles in the band?
- Sage and Stone: )Steve Mclaughlin and Corie Sorensen Fowler comprise the duo Sage and Stone. Steve writes the music and lyrics, Corie works her magic on the vocal arrangements! Steve also manages the business side of the band.
MuzicNotez: How did you meet and form up? How long have you been together?
- Sage and Stone: A couple of guys and I were trying to start a band, and were struggling with vocals. A friend encouraged Corie to come to a practice and sing a bit with us. Bam! We had a winner! We finally formed Rock n Harmony, recorded one EP, and then dissolved due to life changes within the band. It happens. Corie and I continued to meet and work on new compositions I wrote and decided to give it a go. I’d say we’ve been playing together 5 years total, 3 on our own.
Website: www.SageandStonemusic.com
Facebook.com/SageAndStone1
Instagram: @sageandstone1
MuzicNotez: How did you come up with the name Sage and Stone?
- Sage and Stone: We originally called ourselves JoJo Mac, but realized there was an established recording artist with that name. So we combined elements from where we grew up as kids, Stone represents the Red Rocks region of southern Utah where Corie spent her early years, Sage represents the sagebrush grasslands of Eastern Oregon where Steve was raised.
MuzicNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the band you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?
- Sage and Stone: For Steve the journey starts with a Peter, Paul and Mary album my mom had. When I first learned guitar in 1972, I learned some modern folk songs, like Bobby McGee, Tom Dooley, etc. Afterward came Jim Croce, Don Mclean, 3 Dog Night, Elton John, Eagles, Doobie Bros.,Joe Walsh/James Gang, Fleetwood Mac, to name a few.
Corie cites Stevie Nicks, Eagles, Aerosmith and Heart as her major musical influences. She also comes from a long line of musicians in her family, one relative was tapped to be in The Sons of Pioneers group, only to have WW2 interrupt that gig!
MuzicNotez: What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
- Sage and Stone: Steve- Eagles- Hell Freezes Over tour! Corie-toss up between Aerosmith w/ Fuel, or The Wailin’ Jennys!
MuzicNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a band? Any particular message you wish to send?
- Sage and Stone: We both just love music, especially the healing properties of sound and lyrics. We like to present a positive outlook, championing love, kindness and compassion. We hope our songs may give someone comfort, make them think, reflect and maybe be inspired.
MuzicNotez: Your debut album release is entitled ‘Silver Lining’, how would you describe this album? How long did it take to create?
- Sage and Stone: Silver Lining is our freshman release as a duo. The name Silver Lining is pulled from the lyrics of one of our songs, It Never Rains. This EP took about 4 months of weekends to record, (Set up by Marshall) then each song was released over the next 9 months as a single. This EP was officially released and distributed by Distrokid March 1st , 2023.
MuzicNotez: How has this band experience been different for you from previous projects?
- Sage and Stone: Well in a larger band, more people means more work for the manager “herding cats”, so to speak. A duo is less complex in many ways, and much of the live work in our area is in very small venues, so fitting into small or bizarre places is our forte! We also use our own custom self-recorded backtracks for a fuller sound, anchored by acoustic guitar
MuzicNotez: What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?
- Sage and Stone: We are live gigging for the summer, and plan to record a couple more singles this winter we’re excited about! We also have plans to do a video for one of the songs on the EP!
MuzicNotez: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
- Sage and Stone: Well, first of all, we thank you for interviewing us! We will continue to make music as long as we can, always trying to be as creative and unique as we can be! We aim for that warm, SoCal sound that came out of the 70’s, and we both naturally gravitate to that vibe.