Where to Start isn’t just the name of Sacha’s new EP — it’s also a pretty fitting description of the creative journey behind it. Over two years in the making, the project is packed with personal stories about love, heartbreak, and figuring things out along the way. With her first major label release, Sacha really leaned into who she is, both musically and visually. And that’s where longtime friend and stylist Amber Watkins comes in. From spontaneous songwriting sessions over FaceTime to red carpet looks inspired by Cher, the two have built a creative partnership that brings the stories in Sacha’s music to life — one bold idea (and rhinestone) at a time.

_

Where to Start takes listeners on an emotional journey through love, heartbreak, perseverance. Can you share a specific moment or experience that shaped the direction of that project?

Sacha: Yeah, it’s actually the EP title, I think, because these songs have been in the making for like over two years. I’ve had this collection, and these are just a really small few that we decided to put forward first among all the rest that will be coming. But I definitely wanted to tap into more of my story with this project, and just kind of share some of who I am, where I’m from, what I’m about in some of these songs.

I just remember feeling like the EP wasn’t exactly complete yet, or there wasn’t a song that kind of was that catalyst for the rest to fall in place. And I just remember, I was about to put my Christmas tree up and start the decorations, and I’m just like, “Oh, where to start?” And then I’m like, wait a second — Where to Start. So I grabbed my guitar, started writing, and then I called up some of my writer friends like, “Hey guys, got this idea going — you wanna write with me?”

So we started over Zoom, FaceTime. I was on a deadline — the EP should’ve been delivered by then — but I felt like we weren’t there yet. This song needed to happen. This is it. This is the title track. I know it. So we wrote it over FaceTime, voice notes, whatever. And bing boom, we got ourselves an EP called Where to Start and some songs that kind of fall in line with that. So I’m really excited that they all came together.

This is your first EP with a major label. How has that changed your approach to making music?

Sacha: It’s interesting. I feel like I have such a great team. I don’t know if it’s a timing thing or like meeting with a major label and all the people that are in the picture now, but everything just kind of came together at the right time where I could say what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it and communicate it. And have people that saw that vision, believed in it, and are running with me.

Working with a major label really helps to expedite some of those things I’d been kicking around for a long time. And now I feel like, with all this incredible reception we’re getting from the EP and the songs, and everyone being so supportive — a great deal of that has to do with having the label support behind me.

Your new single “Till I Don’t” comes out with a powerful music video. What story are you trying to tell in this video, and what do you hope that fans take away from it?

Sacha: I’m just tapping into a good old-fashioned heartbreak, you know? And all the feelings that come with it. But at the same time, hopefully inspiring some hope — that you’re not going to feel like that forever. Because heartbreaks feel like they’re never going to end. It’s like the end of the world. But in the words of But I can’t wait till I don’t, it’s kind of like — you’re expecting that someday you’re not gonna feel like that. So if you’re saying you can’t wait for something, that means there’s anticipation and hope. That’s where “Till I Don’t” comes from.

Your single What the Truck became the fastest Canadian country song to go platinum in the streaming era. How did that moment change the trajectory of your career?

Sacha: I think it just gave me visibility. Getting on a hot song like that with The Reklaws — people get to know, hey, there’s this girl here. And it gave an awesome opportunity to get in front of people that may have never heard of me or seen me before. It made people wonder what’s next. It was a really fun time and a great opportunity to line things up for people to hear who I am and what I’m about.

You’ve mentioned that this EP reflects personal challenges and new beginnings. What advice would you give to artists navigating their own transitions?

Sacha: I think it’s just that — tapping into who you are, what makes you unique, and what your story is.

If you could collaborate with any artist, country or otherwise, who would it be and why?

Sacha: I feel like that’s becoming an unfair question these days because there’s so many people! Can we do a group collab or something? Let’s make a group! I love Lainey Wilson, she’s awesome. Dolly Parton, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll — the list goes on. Taylor Swift has been my day one. I’ve been working with people who’ve been a part of their success. Like Paul Sykes wrote with me on this EP, and Robyn Collins on “One Hit Wonder,” who’s also had #1 hits for Lainey Wilson. I’ve met Lainey — she’s great. But yeah, my dream collab list is long, but that’s a few for you.

Moving on to some questions for Amber. You and Sacha designed her CCMA look together. Can you walk us through the inspiration behind that outfit and how it reflects her style?

Amber: When it comes to our collaborations for a red carpet, Sacha always has a lot of great ideas. So I always start with what she has in mind. She came to me with a photo of Cher — this iconic Bob Mackie look she wore as a two-piece. We went back and forth, asking what about it she loved, what we wanted to do differently.

We ended up choosing that beautiful yellow which really popped on her and on the carpet. We worked with a designer who whipped it together quickly. At the last second, we were thinking monochromatic yellow and crystals, and then Sacha had this idea — “What about turquoise?” So I picked up some beautiful rhinestones, we put it together in a formation, and it came out so well. She wore it beautifully.

It really did come together so well. It was such a beautiful look. How does styling an artist like Sacha differ from styling for editorials, brand campaigns, or even other artists?

Amber: It’s all about getting to know that artist — what they wear regularly, who they’re inspired by — and putting that together to create something that feels like them. Then also making sure it’s appropriate for the situation — music video vs. red carpet, etc. It’s important the artist feels like they’re wearing the clothing and not the other way around.

Also, I keep in mind what their next song or EP is about. How do we bring in and marry those visuals so everything feels cohesive for that phase or chapter?

Personally, I think fashion plays such a key role in music and performance. How do you see country music evolving, and where does Sacha’s style fit into that?

Amber: For a long time, country music maybe hasn’t been seen as an opportunity for high fashion. But Sacha really always wants to push the boundary. We have a lot of fun — past CCMA looks, she’s said “I really love this Victorian style — how do we make that modern?” We’re not limited by what other country artists are doing. We’re trying to do something different.

Who would you say are some of your biggest influences?

Amber: A mix of current and past designers and runway looks. I always try to bring in ideas from the early 2000s or even the ‘70s. So when Sacha brought up the Cher reference, I was like — yes! Bob Mackie is having such a resurgence with his book. I don’t know if you know this, but in the Pamela Anderson movie The Last Showgirl, she wore vintage Bob Mackie. So everything’s kind of coming full circle.

Congratulations on winning the CAFA for Stylist of the Year. What did that recognition mean to you?

Amber: Being recognized within your peers — I can’t even put it into words. Of course I hoped I’d win, but I was in a category with equally incredible stylists. When my name was called, it was such a culmination of hard work. I was 8 months pregnant too — last year was wild. I’m proud and really grateful.

Collaboration is such a huge part of music and fashion. What makes your partnership work so well, and how do you inspire each other creatively?

Sacha: Amber just gets it. It’s like writing a song with someone who shares your vision — she can run with it. Amber has been passionate about this since childhood. She’s honed her skills and is both educated and creative. We’re just on the same flow — we want to elevate, push boundaries, and expand creative energy.

Amber: I love working with Sacha because she wants to take risks. She’s not afraid and she trusts me a lot. But she also knows what she wants. So we can really do a lot — I bring my people, my ideas, and she brings her vision. It’s great.

I’d say storytelling is central to both songwriting and styling. How do you use your respective crafts to tell a deeper story?

Sacha: I’d like to hear what you say, Amber.

Amber: I think the music is already telling a story. So from my side, I make sure that the visuals — or at least my part of them — help support that story. Like with the upcoming music video — I won’t drop hints — but it has a specific storyline. Being able to put together looks that help tell that visual story is really incredible.