In a music scene dominated by transient trends, Said Sara—the solo project of David Benson—offers a refreshingly deep and introspective sound. His latest single, Then There You Are, invites listeners to explore profound themes of connection with loved ones who have passed. We caught up with Benson to discuss the emotional roots of the track, the creative process, and what’s next for Said Sara.
- Your new single, ‘Then There You Are,’ is quite profound. What inspired you to explore the idea of receiving signs from loved ones who have passed? Was there a personal experience behind this?
There are so many personal stories that informed the lyrics to Then There You Are. There’s a sadness when someone young passes away that, at least in my experience, can only be quelled by the understanding—and the evidence—that they continue to offer guidance. They give praise, via light through a window, or warning via a sharp gust of wind at the door. You just know.
- How did you approach translating such a deeply emotional and spiritual theme into music? Was it difficult to capture the feelings of loss and connection?
The lyrics came last, and were a real struggle this time around. Though the very emotional and sharp guitar parts were written first, they definitely informed the astral, ethereal themes within the lyrics.
- In a world where many people might be skeptical about signs or messages from the beyond, what do you hope listeners will take away from the track?
I really believe that most people recognize these prompts, even if they don’t say it aloud. Then There You Are can be as private as folks want it to be. I’m glad for it to be a secret between the listener, their thoughts, and their car stereo!
- As a songwriter, how do you balance the darker, more emotional elements of the song with the hopeful message of accepting guidance from those who’ve passed?
I hope that I have! Everything I do will always come out dark because darkness in music (of all genres) has always drawn me in the most. I wish I had a more intriguing answer, but these are simply natural tendencies in my writing. They could even be called hang-ups.
- Was there a particular moment or sign that served as a catalyst for writing ‘Then There You Are?’ If so, would you be willing to share that story with us?
There certainly were a couple of moments/signs. One was in the music/melodic theme more than the lyrics: I have had a short refrain in my brain since I was a pre-teen, and it’s at least in part informed by the Toys ‘R Us Kids jingle from the commercial in the 1980s (I’m old). Another was the inclusion of a lyrical line in the song that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pull off: a mention of Deicide vocalist/bassist Glen Benton. Once I came up with the right pieces of the puzzle presented by that addition—how to incorporate my deep affection for the music and messages of both The Innocence Mission and Deicide—I knew that the song was complete.
- How has living in San Francisco influenced your music, and did the city or its atmosphere have any impact on the writing of ‘Then There You Are?’
Then There You Are is actually among the few songs of mine that aren’t about SF! The City’s legacy of music lives through me at every turn, however. From Anvil Chorus to Journey to Mordred to Dealing With It-era D.R.I., SF is the absolute centerpoint of music history. This fact cannot be argued against.
- What role does catharsis play for you as both an artist and as a person in creating music like this? Do you feel a sense of healing from exploring such personal themes?
This is an amazing question, and one that can be answered from so many points of view that singer-songwriters/performers possess. I’ll address the live experience specifically: it’s everything—and I certainly do “go through it” on gig day. It’s such a monumental build-up and release, that I’d dare to say that you come out a different person every time. My entire day is filled with excitement and anxiety about what can go wrong and what can go right. Musicians always talk about the downtime period between soundcheck and the performance, because it is truly brutal. There’s nothing to do and everything to worry about. Then it all goes away 2 or so minutes into the set. The relief of coming out of the performance alive is like no other for me: weeks of rehearsals and hours and hours of contemplation played out in 30 or fewer minutes. I play drums in bands, including at least one with a pretty large following, and the release is very different. The Said Sara performance is so personal and so draining emotionally.
- In terms of the arrangement and production, did you use any specific instruments or techniques to evoke the sense of connection with the spiritual or emotional themes of the song?
I do, but on a very compact/bare-bones basis. The themes and emotions in Said Sara songs are best conveyed with accompaniment by acoustic guitar. Being able to sit on a stool and accompany one’s vocals and lyrics with guitar (or piano) allows for a musical intimacy that’s just as powerful as an orchestra or a loud metal band.
- What has been the most surprising reaction you’ve received from early listeners of the track? Have any responses made you look at the song in a new light?
I hear comparisons to Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young a lot, and some people call Said Sara “folk punk.” I hear the adjective “dark” all the time. I guess what’s been most surprising has been the reaction to the “sweetness” of the song. It’s been called intimate and introspective quite a few times, whereas previous works of mine were not given those tags (just things like “raw” or “revealing”). To be honest, I’m still struggling to trust what people say about Said Sara, maybe because the project is so personal. Anything that can be said about Said Sara is not only a review of me as a musician/songwriter, but of me as a living being.
- Lastly, what can we expect next from Said Sara? Is ‘Then There You Are’ part of a larger project, or are you planning to release more singles with similar themes?
Then There You Are is simply a snapshot of a moment in time. The next single (EP, or album) will be different—in both theme and direction.
A Reflection on ‘Then There You Are’
David Benson’s latest single Then There You Are is a contemplative exploration of loss, connection, and the subtle ways in which loved ones who have passed may still guide us. Through his introspective lyrics and sharp musicality, Benson invites listeners to interpret these themes in their own personal way, leaving space for reflection and emotion. With more new music on the horizon, Said Sara continues to evolve, offering listeners a journey both deeply personal and universally resonant.
