“I Haven’t Been to a Function Since Birth”: Pop Experimentalist Saya Gray Makes Us a Playlist

Photo courtesy of Saya Gray.

Welcome to SOUND ADVICE, Interview’s weekly destination for playlists curated by our friends, enemies, and lovers. Over the past few weeks, we’ve collected playlists from Heartworms, Benny Blanco, and 9mice. This week’s installment comes from Toronto-based songstress Saya Gray, who’s just come off the release of her third studio album, SAYA. At times, it feels like the alt-pop multi-instrumentalist can’t help but bounce from genre to genre, so to help us get a grasp of what she’s all about, she made us an eclectic playlist to match her vibes. Before she heads out on her North American and European tours, she took a stab at our Sound Advice questionnaire, where she told us what film score always makes her cry and what she plans to wear—or not wear—for Judgement Day.

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Where do you dance? Eating.

Who do you trust most with the aux? Lucian Gray.

What song on this playlist makes you cry? Anything from Harry Potter.

What’s your next tattoo? Finishing my dragon sleeve so I will have finally have special powers.

Name a film you wish you’d make the soundtrack for: That documentary on Gustave, the murderous Nile crocodile.

What song on this playlist reminds you of 10-year-old Saya Gray? Anything Kelly Price.

What Toronto hidden gem are you gatekeeping? IDK I don’t go outside

What track in your discography feels like a downward spiral? Any of Qwerty.

What are you DoorDashing to the studio? Bubble tea.

Three things do you bring with you to the function: I haven’t been to a function since birth.

What album is playing in heaven? Probably just a bunch of hungry cats meowing in perfect harmony, waiting for their tuna and salmon flakes.

Sunglasses indoors: yes or no? Only indoors.

The world is ending. What are you wearing? Nothing.