Loneliness has a way of creeping into every corner—on the road between tour stops, in crowded spaces, and even in the comfort of familiar routines. For Peter Sagar, the creative force behind Homeshake, these feelings aren’t just passing thoughts but recurring themes woven through his latest records, “Horsie” and “CD Wallet.”
“I’ve been anxious and depressed about almost everything my whole life, but I’ve learned to manage it,” Sagar shares while out on tour, with stops at The Regent in Los Angeles on Nov. 7, The Observatory North Park in San Diego on Nov. 8 and The Observatory in Santa Ana on Nov. 9.
“I even did yoga this morning and managed to get my hands on a jump rope, and I’m using it when we stop for gas out on tour. It’s strange but the little things keep me sane.”
As the world’s reopened post-pandemic, Sagar still finds himself navigating the complexities of the human connection—torn between returning to live performances and the sense of alienation that can linger afterward. This time, however, there’s a small but meaningful change bringing him comfort: he finally earned his driver’s license in his mid-thirties.
“It’s strange,” Sagar reflects. “Touring is supposed to feel freeing, but sometimes it just makes things more confusing. Still, I do like being on the open road. I’m a late bloomer, but this is the first tour where I’ve fully had my license. Even though it feels lonely a lot of the time, it’s also a happy thing.”
The title track of “Horsie” depicts this duality, a sonic road trip that captures the euphoria of open highways while confronting the emptiness that can linger after the shows are done.
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These twin records, “Horsie” and “CD Wallet,” mark a new creative chapter for the Toronto, Canada-based musician. His decision to leave his previous label at Sinderlyn, known for releasing “In The Shower” and “Fresh Air,” allowed him the freedom to experiment, resulting in two vastly different records. “Horsie,” which finished first, carries themes of anxiety, loneliness, and the search for meaning, emotions amplified by the isolation of lockdown. In contrast, “CD Wallet” was a quick, spontaneous project, completed in just two weeks. “It was the fastest thing I ever did,” Sagar explains, reflecting on the thrill of making music without overthinking the process.
The release of “CD Wallet” allowed Sagar to revisit the music of “Horsie” from a fresh perspective. Some of those original tracks will reappear in a deluxe version of the album, signaling his desire to evolve even with his most recent work.
“I set out to make ‘Horsie; a road trip album,” he shares. “With this record, I wanted to expand my personal experiences into a broader context and hopefully, that resonates with listeners. Touring has been such a big part of my life that it feels second nature, but I’d never really talked about it before. It just felt like something I needed to do. I don’t plan on discussing these things intentionally, it’s more like they come out because they need to.”
Returning to the road stirred up mixed emotions for Sagar. While he’s long been open about his struggles with anxiety and depression, the experience of going back on tour after lockdown was unexpectedly unsettling. “Performing live again was something I looked forward to, but it also brought back a lot of anxieties. I always have this running thought no matter where we go or where we perform, like ‘is anyone gonna be here?’ I still do it with every show.”
It’s a surprising sentiment, given his cult-like fan base that has stuck with him since his debut record in 2014, booming from the throes of the DIY bedroom pop scene that birthed artists like Cuco, Clairo, The Marías, Still Woozy, and Frankie Cosmos. Over the years, Sagar has transitioned from intimate venues to larger stages, performing at major festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2023 and Primavera Sound in Barcelona, Spain.
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Beyond the emotional hurdles, Homeshake’s music itself has undergone significant change. Originally known for its mellow, pop guitar-based sound, Sagar’s work now embraces a more textural, synth-driven approach. His latest influences include artists like Four Tet and D’Angelo, whose early records inspired Sagar’s exploration into sonic layers. “I wanted to get away from the dry sound of computer-based music,” he says. “That’s why I’ve been using a Sonic EPS sampler and went back to the basics of just getting really good textures.”
Sagar’s creative evolution has been deeply intertwined with a core group of musicians he’s collaborated with since 2014, the same year he left indie star Mac DeMarco’s band to focus on Homeshake full-time. Though Homeshake is largely his personal project, Sagar has relied on a consistent band for live performances and touring, allowing him to bring his vision to life on stage.
“I always knew I’d pursue my own music,” Sagar reflects. “Since I was 12 or 13, I wasn’t good at much other than music—it’s the world to me. I always knew I’d find my way to making songs and finding success with it. I knew I had to make it work, I didn’t have a choice.”
He goes on to explain that his time with DeMarco’s band—where he spent as much as eight months a year on the road for three consecutive years—was formative but ultimately unsustainable. “Being in DeMarco’s band was amazing, but I got to a point where I didn’t have room for everything. I don’t regret it, and he’s still a dear friend. I learned so much during that time in terms of how I wanted to handle my own craft.”
Keeping the same band for over a decade has brought its own challenges, especially with members living in different cities. Still, Sagar emphasizes the importance of healthy dynamics on tour. “Touring isn’t just about the music,” he explains. “It’s about being able to navigate life together and understand each other’s emotions on the road.”
Despite the ups and downs, Sagar remains grounded in his creative journey. “The biggest change over the years has been managing expectations,” he admits. “When things go well, it’s easy to get lost in the pressure. But at the end of the day, I create music because I need to—it’s something I have to do.”
Homeshake’s current tour has offered Sagar a chance to reconnect with audiences in a new way. While the challenges of adapting fresh material for live shows persist, Sagar finds joy in playing louder, more energetic rock songs on stage. “I look forward to every day on the road. I’m just thankful people are still listening.”
