Interview with Jazz Soul Artist Flora Sage on Debut EP ‘Beneath My Skin’, Influences & What’s Next

MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.

What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?

Flora Sage: I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been singing since I was three years old. When we were kids, my siblings, cousins, and I would often role-play as performers. We’d compose songs using the preset templates on my cousins’ electronic keyboard, and I vividly remember the stage name my cousin gave me—“Faye Morales.” I’d put on “concerts” while my older siblings and cousins watched. Hehe.

Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?

Flora Sage: Well, here’s your friendly warning: I have a very long list of musical influences—so brace yourself, you might want to grab a coffee before reading. My sound comes from growing up on a melting pot of genres, eras, and cultures, and each artist or band shaped a part of who I am as a musician.
Growing up and even now, my influences span across:

By Genre

Jazz & Soul: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Anita O’Day, Dinah Washington, Etta James, Nina Simone, Al Green, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Corrine Bailey Rae, Esperanza Spalding, Norah Jones, Emmaline, Erykah Badu, Tuck & Patti, Stan Getz, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Todd Rundgren, Allen Stone, James Morrison, Jamie Cullum, Your Anxiety Buddy

Blues & R&B Classics: Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, Bobbie Gentry, Bobby Caldwell, Bonnie Raitt, Barbara Mason, Billy Paul, Irma Thomas, Timi Yuro

Pop & Rock Legends: The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Wings, Queen, Freddie Mercury, Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Buckley, Billy Joel, Bee Gees, Belinda Carlisle, Kate Bush, Pat Benatar, Cyndi Lauper, Tears for Fears, Hall & Oates, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Don McLean, Sting, Stevie Wonder, James Morrison, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus

Alternative, Indie, & Dream Pop: The Smiths, Radiohead, Keane, Shura, Russian Red, Molly Burch, Orange & Lemons, A Fine Frenzy, She & Him, Mac DeMarco, Moss (Dutch indie), Varsity, The Sundays, Super700, Luke Sital-Singh, Tara MacLean

Folk & Singer-Songwriters: Florante, Ebe Dancel, Rico Blanco, Odette Quesada, Gary Granada, Ric Segreto, Raymond Lauchengco, Celeste Legaspi

Classic/Soft Rock & Ballads: Classics IV, Little River Band, Blood Sweat & Tears, Spandau Ballet, Three Dog Night, The Hollies, F.R. David, Stephen Bishop, Frank Sinatra, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Stagecrew

Other Notable Styles: Japanese City Pop, Jazzhop, Neo-soul (planned explorations)

By Decade

1950s–1960s: Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Etta James, Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, The Hollies, Stevie Wonder (early work), Smokey Robinson, Stan Getz, Little River Band (late 60s)

1970s: Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Paul McCartney/Wings, Hall & Oates, Billy Joel, Bee Gees, Al Green, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Todd Rundgren, Blood Sweat & Tears, Carole King, Don McLean, Stevie Wonder (peak), Pat Benatar, Kate Bush (late 70s), Barbara Mason, Gilbert O’Sullivan

1980s: Tears for Fears, The Smiths, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Spandau Ballet, Bonnie Raitt, Billy Paul, F.R. David, Stagecrew

1990s: Jeff Buckley, Norah Jones (early 2000s but rooted in 90s jazz revival), Keane (late 90s–2000s), Erykah Badu, Corrine Bailey Rae, Allen Stone, Odette Quesada, Raymond Lauchengco

2000s–Present: Lana Del Rey, Mitski, Chappell Roan, Rumer, Angelina Jordan, Luke Sital-Singh, Mac DeMarco, Varsity, Moss, Your Anxiety Buddy, Leanne Mamonong (Leanne and Naara), KZ Tandingan, Sarah Geronimo, Shura

By Origin

International Artists: Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Anita O’Day, Dinah Washington, Etta James, Nina Simone, Al Green, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Norah Jones, Emmaline, Erykah Badu, Corrine Bailey Rae, Tuck & Patti, Stan Getz, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Todd Rundgren, Allen Stone, Jamie Cullum, Your Anxiety Buddy, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Wings, Queen, Freddie Mercury, Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Buckley, Billy Joel, Bee Gees, Belinda Carlisle, Kate Bush, Pat Benatar, Cyndi Lauper, Tears for Fears, Hall & Oates, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Don McLean, Sting, James Morrison, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, The Smiths, Radiohead, Keane, Shura, Russian Red, Molly Burch, A Fine Frenzy, She & Him, Mac DeMarco, Moss, Varsity, The Sundays, Super700, Luke Sital- Singh, Tara MacLean, Classics IV, Little River Band, Blood Sweat & Tears, Spandau Ballet, Three Dog Night, The Hollies, F.R. David, Stephen Bishop, Frank Sinatra, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Barbara Mason, Bobby Caldwell, Bonnie Raitt, Billy Paul, Irma Thomas, Timi Yuro, Eva Cassidy

Filipino Artists: Sampaguita, Rey Valera, Freddie Aguilar, Florante, APO Hiking Society, Hotdog, Cinderella, Stagecrew, Ebe Dancel, Rivermaya,
Rico Blanco, Orange & Lemons, Gary Granada, Ric Segreto, Raymond Lauchengco, Odette Quesada, Celeste Legaspi, Leanne Mamonong (Leanne and Naara), Sarah Geronimo, KZ Tandingan, juan karlos

So yes—my influences are like a buffet where jazz, soul, r&b, rock, alternative, indie, folk, and pop all sit at the same table. Each one taught me something—whether it was phrasing, emotion, storytelling, or simply the joy of making music that moves people.

iTunes: Download Music Here »
Instagram: @florasage.ph
Soundcloud.com/meann-r

What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?

Flora Sage: For me, the ultimate goal isn’t fame or fortune—it’s connection. I want my music to be a safe space for people who feel deeply but speak gently, for those who’ve known quiet struggles and quiet victories. If my songs can make someone feel seen, comforted, or less alone—whether they’re listening on a rainy afternoon or in the middle of a sleepless night—then I’ve already achieved something meaningful.

I also hope my journey shows that it’s never too late, and you’re never too “ordinary,” to pursue something you love. I’m a full-time doctor by profession, but music has always been my heart’s language. If I can balance the two, then maybe others will feel empowered to embrace every part of who they are—without having to choose just one path.

At its core, my message is simple: healing can come in many forms, and sometimes it’s found in a song.

What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?

Flora Sage: I haven’t been to a lot of concerts—only three so far—but two that really stayed with me were Sarah Geronimo’s and Juris’ (from MYMP). Both had such distinct yet powerful ways of connecting with the audience. Sarah’s energy and versatility were incredible, and Juris had this heartfelt, almost intimate way of delivering a song that made you feel every word. I left both shows not just entertained, but inspired by how much emotion and authenticity they poured into their performances.

Your latest release is the EP ‘Beneath My Skin’, which we really love! I believe this is your debut correct? What inspired this release? What does it mean to you?

Flora Sage: Yes, Beneath My Skin is my debut EP, and it’s something very close to my heart. I originally started it as a passion project— never expecting to earn from it or gain recognition. At the time, I was simply looking for a creative outlet outside of my work as a doctor, something that could bring me joy and help me process my thoughts and emotions.

The songs came from a place of stillness and introspection. Each one holds pieces of my personal experiences—quiet struggles, small triumphs, moments of vulnerability—and turns them into something I hope others can connect with. The title Beneath My Skin reflects that idea of sharing what’s usually hidden, of letting people see past the surface.

To me, this EP represents courage—finally allowing myself to share my music with the world after years of keeping it to myself. It’s both a love letter to my younger self, who dreamed of writing and singing, and a message to listeners that it’s never too late to create something meaningful.

The music you create is a soulful fusion of jazz, among countless other genre influences, that you’ve formed into your own original sound. Your music sounds classic, yet fresh and new somehow. How has your music evolved and shaped to what it is at this point?

Flora Sage: Thank you—that means a lot to me. My sound has been shaped by a lifetime of listening to a very eclectic mix of music. Growing up, I was surrounded by jazz, soul, vintage R&B, classic rock, folk, new wave, alternative, and even OPM ballads. I’ve always been drawn to artists who marry emotional depth with timeless melodies, so when I started writing my own songs, those influences naturally seeped in.

At first, my songwriting was more straightforward—leaning heavily into the jazz and soul roots I’ve always loved. But over time, I became more confident in blending different textures: the warmth of classic jazz phrasing, the intimacy of singer-songwriter storytelling, the atmospheric layers of dream pop, and the rawness of indie rock.

I think the “classic yet fresh” feel comes from respecting the traditions I grew up on while not being afraid to experiment. I let my emotions guide the arrangement—sometimes keeping it stripped down and intimate, other times adding unexpected harmonies or instrumentation. My goal has always been to create music that feels like it could be playing on a vintage record player on a rainy afternoon, but also belongs on someone’s current playlist.

Do you write your own music? What is your music creation process like? Where do you record it?

Flora Sage: Yes, I write all my own music. I’ve kept a digital journal for years where I pour out my thoughts and emotions—everything from fleeting moments to life-changing experiences. Over time, I revisit those entries and gradually shape them into poetic lyrics.

Once I have the lyrics, I let their message guide the next step. I start imagining the sound and atmosphere that would best capture the emotion—whether it’s a warm, jazzy arrangement, a dreamy indie pop vibe, or something more soulful and stripped down. That vision becomes the foundation for the melody, chord progressions, and overall feel of the song.

For recording, I usually track my vocals at home using my own microphone, while the instrumentation is performed by session musicians I collaborate with, often introduced through my friend and co-producer, Sylvie. From there, we work together on the music production until the song feels complete.

What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?

Flora Sage: Right now, I’m working on recording four unreleased songs, and I’m also writing new material for a full-length album that I plan to release either later this year or early next year.

I don’t want to box myself into a single genre, so you can expect me to explore a wider range of sounds in the future—especially the styles I’ve loved listening to over the years. I’m excited to experiment with neo-soul, jazzhop, alternative, indie rock, folk, country soul, and even Japanese city pop, among others.

At the core, my music will always carry the same emotional depth and storytelling, but I want each release to feel like a fresh chapter— familiar in sincerity, yet surprising in sound.

Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?

Flora Sage: I just want to say how grateful I am to everyone who’s listened to my music, shared it, or sent me kind words. As an independent artist, every single stream, message, and piece of encouragement means more than I can ever put into words.

My music has always been about connection—about creating a safe, honest space for people who feel deeply but may not always say things out loud. If my songs have brought you comfort, made you feel seen, or simply kept you company on a rainy afternoon, then I’ve already achieved something truly meaningful.

To anyone who’s been supporting me from the start: thank you for believing in what I create. And to those just discovering my music— welcome, I’m so glad you’re here. I promise to keep making songs that come from the heart, and I hope they continue to be a part of your life’s soundtrack.

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