Wisdom of a Sage

Zeora Sage had good reason to title her just-released debut album “Samsara,” Hindi for “the wheel of life.”

That wheel has clocked enough mileage in the years it’s taken her to complete the album to earn the Santa Ana singer, songwriter and guitarist frequent-flier bonuses.

“I could have gotten it done sooner if my career was the most important thing in my life, but it simply isn’t,” Sage said. “The people I love and my own spirituality--my inner workings--mean far more to me than any kind of material success.”

The first big turn of life’s wheel came about five years ago, when an investor backing Sage and her fiance to buy a comic-book store pulled out. That forced Sage to redirect money she’d been saving to finance an album toward the store’s cost.

Then last year while she was recording the album, her brother died, as did a family member of a recording engineer.

Now that the album is done and Friday’s record release party at Back Bay Pavilion in Costa Mesa approaches, Sage feels a sense of hard-earned accomplishment.

“I know I’ve had this big Cheshire cat-like grin on my face lately . . . because it’s neat to work so long and hard on something and be able to actually hold it in your hands,” she said. “The process hasn’t been an easy one, but the result is real . . . it’s solid.”

There certainly is no shortage of idealistic songs about love, peace, truth and oneness in the repertoire of Sage, who not surprisingly has been called a gypsy, flower child and hippie.

One song, “Habit or Choice,” rejoices in the spirit of renewal as Sage sings in a deep, Toni Childs-like voice: “It’s a new beginning / A brand new day / A point of power / A chance to change.”

Anger, Pain Chime In

Anger and pain get equal time in such songs as “Trust,” “Wake-Up Call” and the unsettling “In the Dark,” the latter featuring some of Sage’s most biting lyrics: “If I could only hate you / Maybe I’d be cool enough / If I could spit in your face / Would I be cruel enough?”

“Yes, it’s an angry song, one born out of frustration,” said Sage, who cites influences as diverse as John Lennon, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Ani DiFranco, Billie Holiday and Jimi Hendrix.

“I just don’t understand this idea in our pop culture now that hate is a cool thing. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with anger--it can be a powerful tool to get things done if it’s used properly, not just with violence and hatred.

“I’ve had people tell me that my songs are all about love--or just the opposite, that they’re all really sad or dark. . . . There are different songs for different moods, so I strive for balance in my tone and subject matter. But ultimately, they’re all little stories about hope.”

Sage’s material grows out of her experience. She’s lived in California her entire life--mainly in Ventura and Orange counties--and while growing up, she moved from one foster home to another.

In addition to losing her brother last year, she’s also dealt with her father’s death from cancer, her involvement in two serious auto accidents and a ruptured appendix.

“It’s not hard for me to put myself in someone else’s shoes,” said Sage, who once lived under one roof with 35 other foster kids. “I don’t think I would be able to write the songs I do if I hadn’t gone through all that I have. From difficulties spring strength, and to appreciate the peaks of joy, you do really need to experience the depths of despair.”

After studying music, drama and art at Santa Barbara Community College, Sage moved to Orange County in 1990 and was introduced by a friend to the county’s coffeehouse scene. Since then, she’s eked out a living working primarily as a solo act, crafting her style from a blend of folk, pop, rock and soul.

“I feel like music saved my life during the tough times, when I felt like there was nobody who understood me,” Sage said. “I was always fascinated by words, and they became my best friend.

“I started writing songs as therapy for myself, but to make that connection with a total stranger--to know that somebody feels the same way that I do--is why I got into performing.”

When playing, Sage is often interrupted by the gurgling of cappuccino machines, yet she has few complaints about playing to coffeehouse audiences.

“I’m used to sometimes playing to furniture, or to people not really paying attention at all,” she said. “I know some come to chat with friends, to have business meetings . . . for all different reasons. Whatever is going on in their world usually has nothing to do with me, so I don’t take their lack of interest personally. I just try to do the best show that I can no matter what the conditions or circumstances may be.”

Drawing From a Crowd

Occasionally, Sage shares a stage with the Soul Shakers--featuring guitarist Mike Garmon, bassist Gabriel Paiz, drummer John Creighton and percussionist-keyboard player Richard Bohn--when she gets to open for nationally touring acts at clubs such as the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, where they’ll appear Jan. 26 with Leon Russell.

“It’s wonderful to have a roomful of people sitting there waiting expressly to hear music,” she said. “They’re appreciative, and when you have that many people giving you energy, it’s invigorating . . . we feed off of that.

“Even though some people wouldn’t be able to scrape by on the money I make, I feel very fortunate to make a living doing what I love. I feel if you’re committed to doing what’s in your heart, the money will come eventually. Good things have happened for me here in Orange County, and I’m not going to fight it.”

SHOW TIMES

Zeora Sage & the Soul Shakers CD Release Party--also featuring Graffiti 61 and other guests--will be Friday at the Back Bay Pavilion, 2675 Irvine Ave., Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. $8. (714) 966-8580. Also Jan. 26 with Leon Russell and Alexander Burke at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 8 p.m. $21.50 to $23.50. (949) 496-8930.