Sedona connects with us to reveal the captivating layers of her new release "Braid Your Hair" in an intimate interview
- STAFF
- Sep 11
- 8 min read
By: Staff
“Braid Your Hair” is a magnetic blend of sultry vocals and raw emotion, showcasing Sedona’s unmatched artistry.
Sedona’s new single, "Braid Your Hair," is a breathtaking sonic journey. With every beat, every breath, and every note, the Brooklyn-based artist pulls listeners into a world of emotional depth, raw vulnerability, and irresistible allure. Combining sultry vocals with intricate production, Sedona weaves together themes of love, lust, faith, and longing into a song that captivates on first listen but reveals even more with each play.
We recently spoke with Sedona about the magic behind Braid Your Hair, a track that balances both intimacy and intensity. She takes us through the creative process, sharing how the song became a manifestation of desperation, desire, and devotion, all wrapped in a sound that is unmistakably hers. From the symbolism behind the title to the fine line between immediate allure and layered depth, Sedona opens up about the complexities of her artistry and what it means to express vulnerability in today’s world.
In this conversation, Sedona reflects on the role music plays in building connections and the delicate balance of creating something powerful while remaining true to herself. As she continues to carve her path within the alternative R&B space, we explore how "Braid Your Hair" serves as a pivotal moment in her journey, one that invites listeners to dive deeper into her world.
Dive into the full interview below to discover what’s really behind the song, and what’s next for this captivating artist.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Sedona, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We loved "Braid Your Hair"! The opening notes, followed by that exciting drum fill, were absolutely captivating. Then, your breath breaks open the soundscape in both a soft and commanding way. Your sultry notes, gentle raps, and energy are all unbelievable. We were floored! When did you first realize the power of your voice and creative expression? What moment in your life transformed it from a personal, intimate expression into a tool for sharing your story with the world, ultimately laying the foundation for the powerful career we see today?
A. I have a very fun story behind my first call to singing. Before I even knew I wanted to sing though I had already awoken my creative spirit. My dad is an artist, and he's encouraged me creatively my whole life. Before I was a singer I was an artistic kid. And the first moment I really remember being pulled to singing was at my Auntie Sabrina's wedding when I was probably 10 years old. Her dad Bernie had set up this crazy karaoke machine with huge PA speakers. Me and my brothers covered Biggie's "Juicy" and I sang the hook. Bernie’s wife Peggy was a singer and told me afterwards that I should start studying music. She said I had great voice and that she thought I'd make a great singer. Since then I couldn't stop thinking about it. Music became a part of my identity.
Q. What's the story behind "Braid Your Hair"? How do you personally interpret the emotions woven into the lyrics?
A. I wrote braid your hair about a dude I was seeing a couple years ago who I was stuck on for a little. The song was sort of meant to be an expression of the commitment I was ready to offer to the situation. I feel like our relationship relied heavily on our lust for each other and I think the lack of dedication, from his end, made me more eager to get him. BYH is the melting pot of emotions that accompanied that journey through him.
Q. Does the imagery of braiding carry a deeper symbolism for you in relation to the themes of the song?
A. In relation to the record, the imagery of braiding symbolizes devotion and service. It was an act of love that I wanted to deliver but was never granted access to.
Q. You've mentioned that the song touches on themes of love, faith, lust, and delusion. What do these themes mean to you personally, and how do they manifest in your life outside of the music?
A. I sat with this question for a bit and brain mapped my personal experience with these themes. I think depending what stage you start from the paths branch out in different ways but in relation to BYH I thought I'd start with lust. I think an experience in lust will teach you a lesson about love or delusion or both. I view these themes as interchangeable stages you experience in your relationships with people.
Q. You described the song as a “siren song." What is it about this feeling of being pulled into something dangerous or unknown that resonates with you?
A. I was trying to think of something deeper to say here but honestly I always wanted to know about things I don't know about. Maybe it's curiosity! Maybe it's greed!
Q. There's a palpable sense of desperation that you mention is woven into the song. How did you tap into that desperation in the production process to make it feel so raw and tangible?
A. I think the melody of the synth pad, which is the backbone of the song, is very alluring. It gives you the feeling that you want more. My good friend and collaborator Sekou also played a huge role in the feeling of desperation that’s woven into this joint.
Q. Since "Braid Your Hair" speaks to a lot of emotional complexity, does it ever feel difficult to reveal so much of yourself in such a comment- and judgment-driven world, or do you find it liberating to express that level of vulnerability through your music?
A. It definitely feels liberating to express complex emotions in the form of music. The music I make has always been first and foremost for my own benefit and enjoyment. I find that sometimes when I’m dealing with difficult or layered emotions it is much easier for me to sing them then to speak them. I think naturally there’s always going to be resistance or dislike from other people because you just can’t be everybody’s cup of tea. And I think I come to terms with that more and more as I get older but when I was younger it made me really discouraged to hear negative judgement or critique. Now I think that there’s so much space for people to interact with my music and share their opinions and I think as an artist, or just as a human you have to practice taking what you need and leaving the rest.
Q. You've mentioned community-building as a central focus of your work. What role do you think music plays in fostering meaningful connections? Are there any artists who have come before you that you've looked to as models of how to build those bridges?
A. Music has allowed me to create hella meaningful connections. I feel like through music alone I have opened a channel that invites so much collaboration and visibility. There’s so many artists that have inspired me to continue building those connections. Immediately my mind goes to Pharrell because he’s just a prime example of a bridge builder. That man has opened his doors to so many different sounds and people and I think that range is reflected in his music. He feels like the obvious choice for this question. I feel like Robert Glasper, Leon Thomas and Yebba are notable mentions here as well. All having worked with countless different artists and constantly show up with a strong sense of identity and unmatched energy.
Q. With the sonic elements of the track, there's a palpable sense of intimacy and texture. Would you say this reflects where you're at in your life right now?
A. Intimacy and texture are both great word choices and I think very accurately describes my mission with my music. Music for me is always an intimate experience and hearing the different textures in a song is my drug for sure.
Q. Tell us about what it's like working with long-time collaborators like Sekou Shore and Ham Van Dam on a project like this. What makes these creative partnerships unique for you?
A. Sekou, Ham and I have built an immense amount of trust between us. Working together is everything to me, I don’t feel like I’m fighting for space or over explaining myself. I feel heard, understood and trusted by them. What’s unique about our relationship is our ability to access each other's best ideas through thoughtful listening and intentionality in our collective decisions.
Q. You mentioned that listeners might hear a "sexy ass song" on first listen, and we loved this line! But there's a deeper layer of desperation underneath. How do you balance the immediate appeal of a track with those deeper layers of meaning that unfold with repeated listens?
A. I think the balance comes from the production choices. Not just instrumental but vocal production choices as well. Recording backgrounds and adding endless layers is my very favorite thing to do. I think they help turn a song that’s casual or simple on the surface into something with depth and allure. Creating moments throughout the song that keep reminding you to tune back in. I think repeated listens are needed for this record to fully appreciate its layers.
Q. How do you feel about the term “alternative R&B”? Does it ever feel like a box, or do you see it as a way to express something more fluid and evolving about your music?
A. The term alternative R&B, feels like the way we categorize any music that blends another genre or genres with R&B. So to that definition I think the term is fitting as a way to describe my music. I don’t see it as a box but it also isn’t a term that necessarily motivates me to break outside the box either. I think it’s just something we say to better explain a space in music that is extremely layered and pulls from many influences.
Q. What are the top three venues on your wish list to perform at?
A. Id love to play at red rock, the regency ballroom in SF and somewhere out of the country that I can’t name because there’s probably some sick ass venues out of country that I don’t even know about.
Q. And finally, we can’t thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what’s next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We’d love to be the first to share the news!
A. I am so honored to have answered these carefully crafted questions. My future is full of more sonic exploration and collaborations. I am very excited to push out more singles in the near future, and hopefully an EP sometime next year. I have a very fun feature comin’ out with Liz Stuart who is an amazing artist, a single called ‘Carousel’ that is such a fun record. That will be available to stream 9/19 so keep that in your sights for sure. I want to also personally thank you for your patience and apologize for the delay on my end as I am traveling while answering these and have been spending time with family.
Sedona, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Sedona’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
