DIVA spoke to the Minnesota-born singer-songwriter about their new album When I Get Through
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY SIMONE THOMPSON
On 18 October, Minnesota-born singer-songwriter Sarah Walk, also known as Breymer (she/they), will be releasing their album When I Get Through with One Little Independent Records. This album is an honest exploration of Sarah’s relationship with gender and identity, documenting their experience with top surgery. Breymer’s rich instrumentation, standout vocals, and textured production by Grammy-winner Tyler Chester create an introspective and transformative journey.
When I Get Through is radically insightful, presenting Sarah’s candid and authentic reflections on self-acceptance. DIVA caught up with Sarah to find out more about this new album.
Your album When I Get Through is a deeply personal exploration of your journey with gender and identity. Can you share what inspired you to document such a vulnerable experience through music?
I’ve always felt like the most personal is the most compelling. I write my truth, and this was what I was absorbed by for quite a while. For most of the writing of this album, it wasn’t even a conscious or intentional decision – I just found myself gravitating towards this subject because it was so all-encompassing for me. But once I started to see the story take shape, I decided to commit to it and give it the arc that I felt it deserved.
Now that I have the opportunity to begin sharing these songs, I’m already so moved by the stories I’ve heard from people. It’s amazing to be able to connect with strangers on such a personal level.
The decision to change your artist name to Breymer carries a significant meaning. How did you arrive at this name, and what does it symbolize for you in the context of this album?
I was ready for a fresh start. “Breymer” is my middle name, and I’ve always really liked it and wanted it to be an artistname for a project of mine. The decision to change this project name came really late in the game on this album cycle, but it felt like the right time in my career to do it. This album feels androgynous, gender non-conforming and challenging, and I felt like the name change does that too. But more than anything, “Breymer” excited me, which I realized was enough reason to do it.
Your lyrics often pose introspective questions such as “Am I better now?” and “Who am I?”. How has writing and performing these songs influenced your own process of self-discovery and acceptance?
I think I’ve always used my songwriting as a means to find the answer, not necessarily a declaration of the answer itself. And a lot of this process was about the questions and the inner dialogue. Being able to sort of freeze these moments in time through the songs has allowed me an opportunity to reflect on my growth and development and appreciate each part of the journey.
How did you approach writing about undergoing top surgery, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
Like I said before, I really didn’t intentionally set out to make this album ahead of time because I didn’t know I would end up getting this surgery at the beginning of the story. But I kept writing throughout the process, and I’m so glad I did.
My goal with this album is to reach people who are either gender non-conforming or know someone who is. I hope this music can help provide some comfort to those who need it because I definitely was desperate for any visibility from others who had gone through this when I was in the thick of it.
The current political climate surrounding trans issues is incredibly hostile globally. What do you hope trans listeners can take from When I Get Through?
I’m committed to creating a campaign with the trans and queer community at the core. I know first-hand the value that personal stories can have on going through with these life-affirming decisions. I also know that my story is one that so many young people can relate to — and the stakes feel higher than ever in this unprecedented anti-queer political climate. There are so many gender-affirming stories to be told and each one is different, but hopefully, this album will help shine a light on one story for folks who are looking for some comfort or reassurance that it will be okay and they aren’t alone.
You appeared on the soundtrack for The Buccaneers which features a beautiful sapphic storyline. What do you hope is in the future for queer art?
I hope there continues to be more visibility on all kinds of queer stories, including the not-so-polished or “arrived” ones. I think part of the importance of this album for me is that it focuses on the process and not the finish line. The final song is called Anesthesia and leads right up until the surgery so that the focus is really on everything that came before it. I think it’s important to talk about the uncertainty of being queer too – the grey areas, the processing, and the parts we aren’t as proud of. Nowadays I feel like there is so much display and public support of the successes and the certainties, but so much of being queer (to me) is about the journey and the self-searching, which can change and morph into different things. It’s a never-ending process that I feel so lucky to be a part of.
When I Get Through will be out on 18 October.
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