The rock ethos of GYMSHORTS & the emotive edict of greeensleeves

Catching up with Sarah Greenwell; photographed by Devon Bristol Shaw.

Varying creative outlets are key for different expressions. Multidisciplinary luminaries can hone facets of their crafts through different modes to display different aspects of artistry, overtones, undertones, emotion and more. One artistic offering can lend an experience of unbridled energy and awe while another can elicit contemplative focuses, exhibitions of reflective thought and other opportunities of unlimited meditations.

Thus is the nature of Sarah Greenwell’s two projects GYMSHORTS and solo outfit greeensleeves that illustrate different moods and modes with different takes on the same song with the illustrious and expansive “Love You Funny” via Self Luv. The Rhode Island by way of New York artist leans into the unrelenting energy and exuberance with GYMSHORTS, employing electric power pop aesthetics that are fit for the auditoriums and amphitheaters of the world. With greeensleeves, Greenwell employs the soft touch strum of understated balladry that gives the lyrics a little more room and space to resound with a more evocative tonal resonance.

With her band GYMSHORTS, Sarah goes for the rock & roll jugular on “Love You Funny” like a disruptive ruckus that shuts down a pep-rally student assembly in the gymnasium before fourth period. The raucous and rage is on full display like the best thing that Joan Jett, the Runaways and Suzi Quatro never released into the wild. The angst, attitude and gleeful rancor roars with a volition that knows what the heart and spirit wants and knows damn well what it doesn’t. GYMSHORTS crashes the party with plenty of pomp, bravado and boisterousness that leaves you smiling and respectfully fearful in the face of a fierce force to be reckoned with.

As greeensleeves, we are privy to a more intimate side of Sarah Greenwell’s expansive oeuvre of artistry. The solo experience of “Love You Funny” feels like a secret house show advertised on DIY fliers that withhold the location of the event in question. Armed with a guitar and a drum machine, Greenwell allows the listener to revel in every lyrical utterance where the romance, the messiness, conflicts and complications come through in a way that feels real and tear inducing. “Love You Funny” goes from power pop glam theatrics to music to fall in love to, cry along to, start a new life to in a song that feels all too relatable and painstakingly beautiful, tragic, wonderful, reckless, honest and so much more — all at once. Demonstrating these two stylistic dichotomies with such grace and unflinching vigor and valiance; Sarah Greenwell has proven to be one of the most essential artists of our time.

Sarah Greenwell offered reflections on both GYMSHORTS and her solo project greeensleeves in the following exchange:

A retrospective on GYMSHORTS from the beginning to now.

GYMSHORTS from the beginining to now there has been so much that has happened! But I think it’s been really amazing to see the progression of shows and music and recordings and just see how much the band has grown and how much I have grown and I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished so far in the past ten years or so and I’m stoked for what’s to come.

Notes on creative evolution and what surprises you have found along the way that have enlightened your paths.

I’ve been really inspired by collaboration in the last few years and have had a lot of fun working with other artists and writing songs with other people. I used to be a lot more precious about songs but I think collaboration has taught me a lot about how freeing it can be to just release certain ideas and songs and not be so set on the first idea you might have. It’s challenged me as a songwriter to think outside my instincts and that has been really cool and I think it’s really helped shift my approach to songwriting in a positive direction.

Realizations gleaned from the calamities of the past three, four years.

Calamities. that’s a good word. Umm, there have been many - but I guess I will talk mostly about Covid…I think I’ve realized a lot in the last few years but one of the most important things it reaffirmed for me was that it’s really important to spend time with the people that you love while you can.

Insights on how to build a better world, better communities, better scenes, better art, et al.

This one is a deep question but I think in general we can all try to just be more compassionate and listen better and stand up for ourselves and more importantly, each other.

Creative shifts from GYMSHORTS to greeensleeves, similarities, differences and everything in between.

It’s been fun to have both GYMSHORTS and greeensleeves as creative outlets because they get different things out that I think I really need to get out! It’s funny because GYMSHORTS the songs kind of get out these fun and sometimes angry bursts of energy that I have and then with greeensleeves the songs are a lot more vulnerable and get out the sadness and the grief and the emotions that are a little more complex to process. 

Parting thoughts of wisdom and hope.

Eat more candy!

Love you Funny is available now via Self Luv.