Savanna Leigh: Songs from the Heart, Stories from the Road
by Hannah Ezratty | March 3rd, 2025
Cover Image credit to Brooke Jennings
Savanna Leigh’s music feels like a late-night conversation in a cozy, dimly lit room—honest, vulnerable, and imbued with emotions that are difficult to articulate. Her voice carries a heavy nostalgia, clinging to memories of what was or what could have been. With raw honesty and emotional depth, Savanna captures fleeting moments that resonate deeply with listeners.
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Savanna was shaped by a family of creatives—her father a country artist, her grandmother an acting coach, and her great-grandfather a musician. This mix of influences continues to shape her sound today, combining country roots with coastal vibes.
Now, on her second-ever and longest tour yet, Savanna is traveling with Mackenzy Mackey for 17 dates across the West Coast. I was fortunate to catch up with her to discuss her musical journey, creative shift to a solo career, and what’s ahead.
Early Years & Musical Roots:
Savanna grew up in Tampa, Florida—a city more known for its cover bands and indie rock scene than for nurturing singer-songwriters. “Florida isn’t exactly a music town, but it's where my roots are,” she reflects. Creativity runs deep in her family, with her father being a country artist, her grandmother an acting coach, and her great-grandfather a musician. She was surrounded by a mix of country and coastal influences, her lyrics holding tight to the structures of country songs while subtly evoking the essence of Florida’s atmosphere.
Despite her musical roots, she still has faced the all-too-common struggle of proving that music could be a viable career. “It’s that thing as a kid where your parents are like,‘Hey, you can’t do music, that’s not a real life thing,’” she says. While her family ultimately supported her, there was always an underlying feeling of concern about the challenges of pursuing a career in the music industry. Even so, the pull toward songwriting and performing never faded.
Her early music experiences were shaped by her sister, with whom she formed a duo before embarking on a solo career. Their creative dynamic was strong, her sister holding a lot of the creative freedom and Savanna holding on to the business side of things. “It wasn’t until I went solo that I really discovered what I really wanted to say with my own music,” she says.
The Impact of COVID & Transitioning to a Solo Career
The transition from duo to solo artist was sparked by personal and creative challenges, as well as the onset of the pandemic. “It was tough, but it was my time to grow. I used to feel like the sidekick in the duo, but stepping out on my own allowed me to find my voice.” While her family supported her transition, they understood the industry’s harsh realities. “They knew how tough it would be, but they still believed in me.”
The pandemic brought further uncertainty. When COVID hit, Savanna transitioned to online school but soon realized it wasn’t the right fit. She took a year off to focus on music, making a deal with herself: “If I could make progress in a year, I wouldn’t go back.” True to her word, she didn’t return to school.
During this time, Savanna moved back to Florida, using the isolation to grow both personally and artistically. “I figured out I’m not as extroverted as I thought. Being in solitude helped me gain clarity and confidence in pursuing my solo career.” Reflecting on the disruption to her college plans, she now sees it as the push she needed to commit fully to her own path.
Songwriting: Intentionality & Her Upcoming Single
For Savanna, songwriting is more than just creativity—it’s a way to process emotions and tell her stories with intention. “It would be hard for me to write a song without intention behind it,” she expresses. Every lyric is rooted in her personal experiences, making her music a true reflection of her journey.
Her upcoming single, you don’t exist yet, marks a shift from writing about past relationships to something lighter and more fun. “I had written a lot of songs about a person who was in my life for a long time, and I wanted to transition to something more playful,” she explains. The song’s title reflects her mindset at the time—manifesting a future partner while embracing the unknown. “I couldn’t write a love song because it didn’t feel authentic. But I was open to dating again for the first time in a long time.”
What began as a playful thought—“Wouldn’t it be funny to sing this song with your boyfriend in the car?”—quickly turned into something more meaningful. The song is ultimately about trusting the timing of love and putting out positive energy. “It’s about knowing that the person isn’t there yet, but they will be. You’ve got to put out good energy and hope it comes back,” she explains.
Touring Experience: The Road, The Fans, and Finding Comfort on Stage
I caught up with Savanna while she was on her month-long tour with Mackenzy Mackey. This is her longest tour yet, and she’s been connecting with fans in a deeper way than ever before. “It’s been really fun to get back out there. Shows have been exciting, but we’re definitely tired—that’s the reality of touring,” she laughs.
In November 2024, Savanna had the opportunity to tour for a month, but before that, her performances were limited to shorter sets. While shorter shows gave her quick bursts of energy, they often left her feeling empty afterward. “After shorter shows, I’d experience post-concert sadness,” she admits. “It’s hard to feel the love from fans for such a short time, then go home not knowing when the next show will be.”
With this tour, Savanna has been able to settle into the rhythm of life on the road. One of the most intentional aspects of her performances is her stage setup. As a solo artist, she wants to create an intimate atmosphere. Her setup includes a folding table draped with a cloth and a lamp, adding a personal touch to the stage. “Being the only one up there means I have to fill the space in a way that feels more than just me,” she explains. To enhance her live sound, Savanna incorporates tools like harmonizers and a synthesizer, which help add layers and texture to her performance.
Where the Music Takes Her: Savanna Leigh’s Unfolding Story
Savanna Leigh’s journey—from her roots in Florida to embracing the challenges of a solo career—demonstrates her resilience, vulnerability, and undeniable passion. Her music, a mix of heartfelt authenticity and emotional depth, continues to evolve as she embraces new experiences, like her upcoming single you don’t exist yet and her longest tour yet.
Through her struggles and triumphs, one thing remains clear: Savanna is fully embracing her voice and the path she’s carved for herself. As she steps deeper into her solo journey, her raw honesty and dedication to her craft will undoubtedly resonate with listeners, while her unwavering belief in the journey ahead inspires both fans and fellow artists alike.
Go pre save her song you don’t exist yet
Go see her on tour opening for Mackenzy Mackey:
March 4th - 7th street entry - Minneapolis, MN
March 5th - Subterranean - In Chicago, IL
March 6th - Shelter - Detroit, MI
March 8th - Velvet Underground - Toronto, Canada
March 9th - Le Ministère - Montreal, Canada
March 11th - Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA
March 14th- Union Stage- Washington, DC
March 15th- Racket- New York, New York
