Belgium-born singer Selah Sue recently released her latest single “Another Way,” a moody, rhythmic collaboration with the Gallands that sits as the opening track to their new album “Movin’.” The album is collection of unique tracks that, together, build something special. Passionate about mental health advocacy, she’s been a godmother for Tele-Onthaal since 2013. To learn more about Selah Sue and her new music, read on.

Where are you based?
I live in Belgium, in the Flemish part near Brussels, actually. Yeah, that's where I was born, and I still live there.

What inspired you to start making music?
I think it was always a bit in me, but it didn't really come from home because I'm the only one in my family that makes music actually. But I really wanted to learn the guitar when I was about 14, and I did three years of classical training. Then I discovered music myself, you know—soul music, hip hop, like Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu.

I learned chords through the Lauryn Hill Unplugged album. And then I wrote my own music because I had a really difficult puberty, adolescence, which was really emotionally hard. So it was my way of dealing with it actually, making music.

You recently released your single "Another Way." What was the inspiration behind this song?
I was also in a bit of a lower mood when I made that track. But I think the instrumental from the Gallands spoke really hard to me. It sounded so really warm and deep and cool. And so it inspired me to do that—as well as singing, as well as like a bit of talking. I love the rhythm because the drums are so rhythmical that it really inspired me to do special rhythms and everything.

And the lyrics are about despair, but still finding hope, you know. "Another way to make it easy, just in you." Like there's always that kind of hope, even in the darkest spots.

What's the story behind your collaboration with the Gallands?
Well, a year ago, the father, Stéphane, the drummer, asked me to do some songs together for a festival in Belgium called Jazz Middelheim. And I was not really into it because I didn't know him. But my husband, who is a big jazz lover, said like, "Whoa, it's Stéphane Galland. You have to do something with him. It's like the best of the best, and it can inspire you."

So I came around to it. And we did that show at Jazz Middelheim, which was amazing. But then we thought, like, whoa, that would be sad if we would only perform these songs at Jazz Middelheim and not anywhere else. So, we decided to make an EP, then we decided to make a record, and finally we decided to do a tour. So now we're here. So that's really cool.

What was it like creating an album that's cohesive but still presents different sounds?
It was super natural, and actually without thinking, which is actually the best thing ever. We respected each other—I respected Stéphane's playing, I respected Elvin's production, and they respected my singing. So we felt like we were really free to do our thing on it. And it magically worked together. It's really cool.

What was the inspiration behind this album, 'Movin''?
I think a bit for me, like I'm into spirituality, especially the last years since I did my psychedelic trips. So it's also about a mother love, a mother God that will always be there for you and guide you. And the fact that we're all together as one, we're not separate human beings, even though it feels that way sometimes. Lyrically, songs like "Nothing to Fear" and "Rise as One" are really about that.

And I think for the rest, yeah, the music inspired me. Stéphane and Elvin are my biggest inspirations.

For new listeners, what are some themes we can expect?
Like I said, spirituality, the togetherness as one, the motherly love which is always there. But also my ups and downs, you know. "In a Minute" is about my difficulties with my very extreme highs and lows. Yeah, like that.

What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Yeah, whatever they want. I think if it sparks something, if it touches you in a way—if it's musically or lyrically or just like the vibe—you can take out of it whatever you want. You can change lyrics however you feel it. It's all yours actually.

In your opinion, how does music help people build connections?
Yeah, it's incredible. Music overcomes language. You don't need to understand it to feel how it can touch you. I always feel it when I'm on stage and I see so many people and we're all in the same realm. And I'm pretty sure you have some of them that are totally different than the other one in life, but in music it all comes together. You know, you share this beautiful connection.

Since 2013, you've been a godmother for Tele-Onthaal, breaking taboos and creating conversations around mental health. Can you tell us more about the organization and your role?
It's super important for me because, like 15 years ago, I saw a show on Belgian TV that said antidepressants are a placebo and I am the proof that it's not, because it saved my life. So I was open about that and since then I really became the godmother for Tele-Onthaal, which really helps to break the taboo on mental illness. Which is really important to me.

And it gives me more satisfaction than singing a hit song or something, you know, that I can help people. Because that's the core in life, you know, feeling peaceful and balanced. I mean, all the rest comes from there.

You've openly mentioned your own struggles with mental health. How has this influenced your music?
Yeah, it's like an intimate journal. I mean, it's always been that way. When I was young, the first song I wrote was "Explanations" and the first sentence is "I'm not feeling so well lately." So it has always been my subject because it really helps me to place it a bit. Putting it into words makes it less chaos in your head or something. And just singing like emotional, soulful singing is just liberating and healing.

You've participated in charity events like Music for Life and Télévie. Can you talk about these charity events, their missions, and your involvement?
Yeah, you know, I'm always really down for it because then you can really do something with your platform. I sometimes feel like I'm a clown, you know, I just sing and people have a good time. But when you can do something more and can really move a little stone in a river to make this world a better place, then I feel really down for doing that.

What advice do you have for someone struggling with mental health?
Well, at this point, I'm like, peace with the pain. Because I think the more you fight it, the bigger it gets. And it's also just an energy. And in nature, there's also winter and spring and summer. So it's okay to also have that in your life. You don't need to hate yourself for it.

So I am more like... just breathe through it, you know, move through it. The way the record's called 'Movin'', it's like moving with the pain until it's over. That's what I would say. And I also do that. I sport a lot, like literally I move a lot because it helps.

Are there any upcoming projects we should look out for?
I'm doing my own stuff also, my own music. I'm now in the UK actually working with some producers and it's really interesting. So yeah, it's going to be cool.

It's been a crazy few years and we expect at least three more. How have you been staying positive?
By knowing myself and knowing what makes me balanced. I need my sports, I need to eat healthy, I need to be with my family enough. And I just enjoy whatever happens. I mean, with this record it's pretty jazz so I thought there wouldn't be a lot of attention for it, but actually there is. It's really incredible. So I'm super thankful and positive and grateful.

What is your motto in life?
Peace with the pain at this moment. It's actually, I heard it from Meshell Ndegeocello's last record. And I thought it was so easy, but so true. Just surrender to whatever happens in your life. Don't fight it. Just let it be.

To learn more about Selah Sue, please check out the links below:
Instagram: @selahsue
Instagram: @thegallands

Selah Sue's Captivating Collaboration