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If you’re a fan of intimate folk-pop confessionals, Native American singer-songwriter Sierra Spirit needs to be on your radar. Her new single, titled “i’ll be waiting (pug),” is an ode to her late grandmother and the incredible life she lived. This release is Spirit’s first after signing with Giant Music earlier this month, and she’s hitting the ground running with an extremely personal and introspective track.      

The heart of this track is defined by the gut-punching question in its chorus, “How do you live a lifetime in a night?” In the track, Spirit recalls the final hours she spent with her grandmother in the hospital before she passed. “Pug” is the nickname her grandmother was given by her family members, a tradition on the Cherokee side of Spirit’s family.   

Sierra Spirit is a member of the Otoe-Missouria tribe and the Keetoowah Band of Cherokees. Her upbringing in Oklahoma comes through in the music, showcasing her Western roots through her instrumentals and songwriting style. There's an intentionality to “i’ll be waiting (pug)” marking this monumental moment in her career, as Spirit cites that “A central part of our culture is storytelling, and my grandmother turned everything into a beautiful story, big or small. I wouldn’t be the writer I am today if it weren’t for listening to her.”     

The emotion in Sierra’s voice is potent, as she carries out this beautiful tribute with honesty and care. She sings, “I’m trying to regard her / But my sight is getting harder / Burnt holes through the contacts in my eyes,” a visceral representation of the lethargic feeling of being surrounded by the stark white walls of a hospital room. It goes to show that no matter how hard we try, we can’t hold onto people forever—except by honoring them after they’re gone. In Spirit’s case, that honor is writing this special song about the impact of her grandmother’s love and how she will carry it through her artistic career and everyday life.  

As the track goes on, Spirit’s pain becomes more subdued to reflect the acceptance that, although her loved one is no longer with us on Earth, she’s living through the art being created in her memory. “i’ll be waiting (pug)” introduces listeners to the core of who Sierra Spirit is, where she comes from, and where she’s destined to go next. Her music feels like a warm embrace, capturing life in intimate moments that carry infinite weight. 

Watch the “i’ll be waiting (pug)” video below: