Loneliness creeps into every corner; on the road between tour stops, in crowded areas, and even in the comfort of familiar routines. For Peter Sagar, the creative force behind Homeshake, these feelings aren’t just passing thoughts but recurring themes woven throughout his latest albums “Horsie” and “CD Wallet.”

“I’ve been anxious and depressed about pretty much everything my whole life, but I’ve learned to manage it,” Sagar says during a tour stop at The Regent in Los Angeles on Nov. 7. observatory North Park in San Diego on November 8 and the Observatory in Santa Ana on November 9.

“I even did yoga this morning and managed to get my hands on a jump rope and use it when we stop for gas during the tour. It’s weird, but little things keep me sane.”

As the world reopens post-pandemic, Sagar still finds himself navigating the complexities of human connection; torn between a return to live performances and the sense of alienation that may linger afterwards. But this time there was a small but significant change that brought him relief: He finally got his driver’s license in his mid-thirties.

“This is so weird,” thinks Sagar. “Going for a ride is supposed to feel freeing, but sometimes it can make things even more confusing. I love being on the open road though. I’m a late bloomer, but this is the first tour where I’ve been fully licensed. Even though he feels lonely most of the time, it’s also a happy thing.”

The title track of “Horsie” depicts this duality; a sonic journey that captures the exhilaration of the open highways and confronts the emptiness that can linger long after the shows are over.

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These twin recordings, “Horsie” and “CD Wallet”, mark a new creative chapter for the Toronto, Canada-based musician. Her decision to leave her previous label at Sinderlyn, known for her albums “In The Show” and “Fresh Air”, allowed her the freedom to experiment, resulting in two very different albums. “Horsie,” which finished first, carries themes of anxiety, loneliness, and the search for meaning, emotions that are made even stronger by the isolation of isolation. In contrast, “CD Wallet” was a quick and spontaneous project completed in just two weeks. “It was the fastest thing I’ve ever done,” explains Sagar, describing the excitement of making music without thinking too much about the process.

The release of ‘CD Wallet’ allowed Sagar to revisit the music of ‘Horsie’ with a new perspective. Some of these original tracks will reappear on the deluxe edition of the album, signaling his desire to evolve even with his most recent work.

“I set out to make ‘Horsie’; “It’s a road trip album,” he shares. “With this record, I wanted to expand my personal experiences into a broader context, and I hope it resonates with listeners. Touring was such a big part of my life that it felt like it was a natural thing for me, but I’d never talked about it before. It felt like something I had to do.” I don’t plan to discuss these on purpose, they seem to arise more because they are needed.

Returning to the road brought up mixed emotions for Sagar. Although he has long been open about his struggles with anxiety and depression, the experience of returning to tour after quarantine was unexpectedly uncomfortable. “Performing live again was something I was looking forward to, but it also brought back a lot of anxiety. No matter where we go or where we perform, we wonder ‘will anyone be here?’ I always have a thought like this. I still do this at every show.

It’s a surprising sentiment, considering the cult-like fan base that’s stuck with her since her 2014 debut album, born out of the throes of the DIY bedroom pop scene that birthed artists like Cuco, Clairo, The Marías, Still Woozy and Frankie. Cosmos. Over the years, Sagar has transitioned from intimate venues to larger stages, performing at major festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2023 and Primavera Sound in Barcelona, ​​​​Spain.

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Beyond the emotional obstacles, Homeshake’s music has also undergone a significant change. Originally known for his smooth, pop guitar-based sound, Sagar’s work now embraces a more textural, synth-driven approach. Recent inspirations include artists like Four Tet and D’Angelo, whose early recordings inspired Sagar to explore layers of sound. “I wanted to get away from the dry sound of computer-based music,” he says. “So I use the Sonic EPS sampler and went back to the basics of getting really good textures.”

Sagar’s creative evolution has been deeply intertwined with the core group of musicians he has worked with since 2014, when he split from the indie star. Mac DeMarco the group will focus on Homeshake full-time. While Homeshake was largely his personal project, Sagar relied on a cohesive band for live performances and touring, allowing him to bring his vision to life on stage.

“I always knew I would pursue my own music,” says Sagar. “I wasn’t very good outside of music since I was 12 or 13; This is the world to me. I always knew I would find a way to make songs and find success with it. “I knew I had to make it work, I had no choice.”

He goes on to explain that the time DeMarco spent with his band — spending as much as eight months a year on the road for three consecutive years — was formative but ultimately unsustainable. “It was great being in DeMarco’s band, but I got to the point where I just didn’t have room for it all. I have no regrets and he is still a very close friend. During this time I learned a lot about how I wanted to approach my own craft.

Maintaining the same group for over a decade has brought its own challenges, especially since members live in different cities. Sagar, however, emphasizes the importance of healthy dynamics on tour. “Touring isn’t just about the music,” he explains. “It’s about being able to navigate life together and understanding each other’s feelings along the way.”

Despite the ups and downs, Sagar continues to keep up with his creative journey. “The biggest change over the years has been managing expectations,” he admits. “When things are going well, it’s easy to get lost in the pressure. But at the end of the day, I make music because I need it; It’s something I have to do.”

Homeshake’s current tour has given Sagar a chance to reconnect with audiences in a new way. While the challenges of adapting fresh material for live shows remain, Sagar enjoys playing louder, more energetic rock songs on stage. “I look forward to every day on the road. I’m grateful that people are still listening.”