Salt Lake has a rave community unlike any other. Our local music scene is diverse and busy, with events in just about any genre happening almost any day of the week, in venues that range from parking garages and warehouses to theaters, amphitheaters, and even temples. For a small city, Salt Lake has a lot to offer—and Sarah Lies is a great example of that.
With lots of shows under her belt, Sarah is preparing to hit the booth with an unforgettable set at Das Energi on Saturday, August 10th at the Great Saltair. Her sets are upbeat and culturally aware, mixing in the latest pop trends with house, techno, and disco you won't be able to get enough of.
iHeartRaves: You're about to put out your debut track "With You" on August 16th, could you tell us a bit about it?
Sarah Lies: Yes! I just announced my very first track “With You,” which has been a long time in the making. It’s a blend of deep/minimal house with catchy chord patterns and heavy kicks. Perfect for dance floors, this song really bumps and keeps energy high. I’ve loved playing it out and I’m excited for people to hear it!
Distracted Somewhere Wide Leg Pants
"I love wide leg pants! Black cargos are a must, and look so good with a little black top. This is a good vibe whether you like house, techno, bass or you name it."
iHR: Walk us through the production process on the track, what was the inspiration? How did you go about producing it?
SL: Putting out my first track has been a long time in the making. I started off only DJing and never thought I would be making my own music, mostly because I know so many people who are so good at it, and DJing felt more like my lane.
However, I’m learning that there’s nothing like finding your own sound and creating music to be able to share with other people, which is the whole reason I wanted to start. I know I’ll be working to hone my sound and continue learning more about production, but I’m excited to have something of my own out!
I’ve had a lot of friends helping me along the way sharing tons of tips and I really appreciate every ounce. This track for me really is about trying something new, learning and allowing the art to evolve as I go. For music I continue to create, my biggest inspirations for my sound come from my favorite artists like Peggy Gou, Franky Rizardo, Chris Stussy, Azzecca and so many more. I love to bring in elements of other genres I really love like 70s psychedelic rock and hard techno. It’s really fun to try to mash all these things together and see what comes up!
iHR: You're about to take the stage for Das Energi in Salt Lake, what are your plans for that set?
SL: I can’t even explain to you how excited I am to play Das! This will be my 11th Das Energi (I’ve been raving that long!!) and V2 shows at the Saltair is where my love for electronic music really started, so to be on this lineup means so much. I actually could never have dreamed it back then.
For any of my sets, I really love to curate my tracklist from beginning to end, with the venue, atmosphere and crowd in mind. I like to take people on a journey with music in a way even if I only have any hour to make it happen.
For a festival set, this means BIG tracks and HIGH energy from start to finish, while weaving in some stuff people can sing to and a couple surprises. Of course including some IDs, but making sure every single track feels like my sound. My goal is to have people dancing from start to finish, and then walk away saying “THAT was a Sarah Lies set for sure”
Recycled Fabric Evolution Buckled Crop Top
"I love a bra top, I honestly think they're flattering on everyone and this one really holds the girls in so you can dance. I Love a buckle detail! So fun with any big pants."
iHR: Being a local SLC producer, how has the scene influenced you? I'm a SLC local too!
SL: Like I mentioned, I’ve been raving here in SLC for 11 years, and pretty much every single friend I have now, I have met because of music in some way or another. Since 2015 I have made so many friends who produce music, whether electronic or something else, who have inspired me in so many ways; Friends who’ve been doing this for 10, 15+ years who really just love the music, friends who have been throwing their own shows and massive events, they all make me so proud to know them.
I could never even list all my friends who I’ve met through the music scene, and I wish I could should out every single one of them. More than anything, Salt Lake is big on COMMUNITY and it really really shows in the music scene here <3
Zero Gravity Platform Sneakers
"Big pants means you need big shoes. These combine my fav things, sneaks and platforms!! A perfect vibe for baggy pants"
iHR: A lot of people from out of state don't know that we have a pretty awesome underground scene. What are some of your favorite local parties to play?
SL: Part of me wants to gatekeep just how sick our music scene is in SLC because it’s kind of perfect… but I’ll spill. It’s SO good, and it’s only growing and getting more creative. At least every Tuesday-Sunday you can find somewhere to go for music (Seriously!!) and there is no shortage of events, it’s become overwhelming even how many options we have!
My favorite promoters to play with who are doing the absolute MOST are for sure Mutiny and Blaq Void, I will never stop shouting these guys out. They’re each putting on the coolest shows in their own ways and using the creative boundaries with what is possible. I got the opportunity to play direct support for Sidepiece at Mutiny’s Boxpac warehouse and it was the MOST FUN I have ever had playing, 360 setup, most insane production and the best crowd.
I’ve been able to play multiple Blaq Void parties (an honor) in all different locations, these guys throw the sickest underground, secret raves with secret lineups and they know how to throw down. Recently I played a tech house show with them in a Masonic Temple! to add to that, both the Mutiny and Blaq Void guys are so cool, so fun to work with and have become my close friends <3
Obviously V2 will always have my heart, I LOVE playing with them any chance I get. They put me on my very first show ever at Sky SLC, my first festival SLC LIVE and many others. I attend every single show and festival I can and it really is an honor to be on the Das Energi stage this year! And I love the entire team <3
Strawberry Cream Parachute Pants
"Parachute pants are a must for the rave closet, one in every color is you can... Pink is my favorite color! I love outfiting anything pink with... more pink. Lol or black and white! Always hits."
iHR: What is your favorite festival or rave memory?
SL: It’s so hard to pick just one, but last year I attended my first EDC, I sent it on a whim for day 3 with my closest guy friend. While the 2 of us were on our way driving to Vegas, he told me our friend Eric was planning to propose to his girlfriend and he was waiting for us to arrive.
We met up with our other homies in camp and spent the day with them, ran into the festival (I was freaking out, obviously!) and after I hit a few stages we all met up at a spot where he proposed and I CRIED and cried and it was such a sweet moment. That entire group will be at Das Energi this weekend too!
[Editor's Note: Congratulations Eric & Alexa, we love you!]
Party's Here Recycled Fabric Top in White
"Another essential in the rave arsenal: a triangle top. Give me one in every color! So perfect with big pants, chunky jewelry and a little bag."
iHR: Tell us about your festival/rave style:
SL: My style has evolved so much it’s kind of funny. When I started raving in 2013/14 we were still making flower & glitter bras by hot gluing fake flowers to them lol. I’ve always liked to push the envelope a little with my festival style, I love getting compliments especially on creativity.
Similar to my tracklists, I love theming and curating for the specific vibe. I used to be really girly, sparkles, pink always, little pants little top. But lately I’m feeling a little more sporty, I love cargos, sporty spice vibes, big chunky sneaks, big pants, little top vibes. I LOVE my platform boots. I love carrying just a little shoulder bag, I think this elevates a rave fit. Sunglasses are a must, always!
iHR: If you created a piece of kandi today, what would it say?
SL: It would probably say ‘with you’ because my first track is coming out on August 16th and that’s kinda cute!! But maybe that’s cheesy lol I recently made one that says GOU CRAZY bc I love Peggy Gou :)
