It can be challenging to genuinely understand your emotions or appreciate your surroundings when you're constantly lost in fantasies; about a person, a dream job, or a future event. In a way, fantasizing can serve as a coping mechanism—we believe that if our fantasies were to come true, everything would be perfect, and thus, we don't feel the need to change our current circumstances. However, this mindset can be perilous. Placing too much emphasis on improbable fantasies can relinquish control from us, blurring our perception of reality. We begin to view life through the lens of our fantasies rather than reality, failing to recognize that our current situation may already be pretty good. This concept is what Sarah Gargano’s aimed to explore with her new single, ‘Red Solo Cup.’

Sarah started working on ‘Red Solo Cup’ in 2019, the inspiration came during a semester abroad in London, a period of introspection and clarity that allowed the Sarah to confront and articulate a melody woven around the the image of a solitary dinner, hinting at the depths of loneliness and the overall craving for connection,

“I had the line 'I make some pasta/set a table for two/pretend one plate’s for you' before anything else." Sarah continued “I was doing a semester abroad in London and having the most wonderful time and I think having a clear head allowed me to really think about the headspace I get into when I’m depressed and things aren’t going well. And I’ll often latch onto the ideas of people and romance as a coping mechanism and I decided that I needed to let go of certain people and ideas if I wanted to really live in the moment and be present in this new inspiring city so separate from my past”

A poignant reminder that it's easy to become ensnared by fantasies, overlooking the richness of the present reality.

The music video for ‘Red Solo Cup’ is steeped in the aesthetics of tea parties and teddy bears, yet veiled in an undercurrent of sadness. This contrast is a deliberate choice, reflecting Sarah's penchant for the visual and the emotional complexity of their narrative. "I had the idea for the video in my brain for many years…it’s the most me thing ever - extremely wholesome, cute, aesthetic, but pretty dark/sad when you really follow the storyline,"

It's the kind of video that slowly seeps into your consciousness. Beyond the vibrant colors and the genuine joy shared on screen between real life best friends Sarah and Amanda, there's an underlying sense of dread and isolation. You can't help but feel for our main character, yearning for a dream that seems out of reach. With ‘Red Solo Cup’ Sarah aspires to offer comfort to those wrestling with their shadows,

"I hope that other people might feel solace in knowing they’re not alone in their sometimes self defeating way of moving through the world - because life’s tough and it’s ok to be honest about that. And also maybe empowered to let go of certain fantasies that are only derailing them further into their depression."

At its core, the creation and release of ‘Red Solo Cup’ are a reaffirmation of Sarah's unwavering commitment to music and the power of sharing one's art. "I keep going because I’ve wanted this forever and I also just love music... So sometimes I think it could be selfish of me not to share if one of my songs might help even one person feel less alone."