Welcome to 'Artist Spotlight' our new series where we introduce you to fresh and exciting artists you need to hear now!
We caught up with Los Angeles-based alternative rock singer-songwriter Saphir Levi who is fresh on the heels of the release of her debut EP Follow Your Shadow. In our chat, we discuss Saphir's transition from Soundcloud rap beginnings to becoming a bonafide indie rock starlet — as well as working closely with producer duo NOWHERE2RUN a.k.a. Jami Morgan and Eric "Shade" Balderose of the 2x-Grammy Nominated hardcore act Code Orange to bring Saphir's infectious and nostalgic sound to the next level.
Follow Your Shadow is out now via NOWHERE Recordings in partnership with Pale Chord and Rise Records BMG.
In addition to the interview, we also linked up with Saphir Levi for an exclusive Pretty Cult branded photoshoot to highlight some of our favorite items currently available on the TPC store! View the full look book and interview below!
Saphir Levi: I had just downloaded LimeWire, got my first iPod, and made a MySpace the bands that inspired me back then were Avenged Sevenfold, NeverShoutNever, and Fall Out Boy. By the time I was 12 or 13, I was writing full songs with my band. It was this unexplainable feeling, like I just knew I could write. I’d hear melodies and lyrics in my head without trying they didn’t have to make sense, they just came. I knew it was my calling.
You spent your early years performing under the name Saphir, exploring a SoundCloud rap style during the late 2010s. What was that era like for you creatively, and how did it shape who you are as an artist today?
Saphir Levi: That era was wild in the best way. Genre didn’t matter back then. It was rap, emo, alt, electronic all bleeding into each other. SoundCloud had this underground, DIY energy where everyone was creating from instinct, not formulas. I was surrounded by people just making things with whatever they had, and that mindset stuck with me. Being in that world for over a decade helped shape me as an artist and gave me the confidence to fully follow my own vision, and gave me this sixth sense for when something feels right creatively.
Saphir Levi modeling the Onyx Serpent Crop & Covet Necklace
You’ve since evolved into a more alternative rock and indie sound—and with that shift, you’re now performing under your full name, Saphir Levi. What sparked that transformation in both sound and identity?
Saphir Levi: It was a moment of clarity. I’d gone through so many versions of myself trying things on, shedding them, searching for something real. Eventually, I landed on what felt like my purest form. Saphir Levi isn’t a rebrand it’s a return. A deeper version of me that’s always been there.
Saphir Levi modeling the Shadowspire Dress
You recently linked up with Jami and Shade from the Grammy-nominated act Code Orange to create your debut EP under their new label, NOWHERE Recordings. How did that collaboration come together, and what’s the mission behind this first project?
Saphir Levi: It started casually DMs on Instagram, sharing demos, a few phone calls and suddenly we were in motion. It all happened fast, but felt insanely natural. With this EP, the mission was to carve out a sound that felt real Jami and Shade really understood the vision, and we took our time building every detail. This first project is about anchoring my voice, my world, and introducing it with no filter.
Your latest single, “Follow Your Shadow,” is an infectious anthem. Can you break down the song’s meaning and what you were hoping to express lyrically with it?
Saphir Levi: Follow Your Shadow is a farewell to the past version of myself the one I had to leave behind in order to evolve. It’s about embracing the unknown and walking into it fully, even if it’s chaotic. The lyrics are layered with reflection and release. It’s me shifting while the world shifts, and realizing the only way forward is through.
Saphir Levi modeling the Sacred Heart Baby Tee, Sterling Mourning Dress & Whispers of Iron Choker
For someone who’s never heard your music before, how would you describe your sound and the world you are creating with the music?
Saphir Levi: My sound sits somewhere between indie alt, grunge, and shoegaze. Sorta dreamy and raw.
Your fashion sense is just as distinct as your music. Whether it’s a shoot, the stage, or your day-to-day, how do you approach styling yourself? Are there any fashion icons or inspirations that speak to you?
Saphir Levi: I really dress based on color and the pieces I’m putting together. Sometimes I’m telling a story through what I wear especially if it’s for a shoot, then everything is intentional. But day to day, it’s more about my mood. You can usually tell where my head’s at just by the colors I’m wearing that day.
As for inspiration, I’ve always been drawn to 90s and early 2000s fashion. Mainly looking at celebrities or artists from around 1996 to 2007 that era really shaped my taste. It’s about noticing the cuts, textures, and combinations from that time.
Thrifting plays a big role in how I dress. Now that I’ve figured out my personal palette, it’s a lot easier for me to spot pieces that make sense with what I’m wearing. I can go into a thrift store and know right away what works and what doesn’t. It’s become second nature.
If your music could score any film, new or old, what would it be, and why does that particular movie feel like a match for your sound?
Saphir Levi: Trainspotting, without a doubt. I remember watching it young and feeling haunted in a beautiful way. The rawness, the heartbreak, the line “choose life” it’s poetic and unhinged all at once. That movie feels like my inner world. My music lives in that same place somewhere between the high and the crash.
If you could work with any artist or band, who would it be and why?
Saphir Levi: I’d love to collaborate with The Garden, I’ve been a fan since 2012, and I’ve always been drawn to the world they’ve created.
Finally, what’s next in the world of Saphir Levi? What should fans be keeping an eye (or ear) out for?
Saphir Levi: The Follow Your Shadow EP is out now. The time is NOW and I’m finally stepping into the world I’ve been building in my head for years. I’ll be playing shows soon, so stay tuned.
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