A message from the young and angelic singer/songwriter Sarah Gargano drew me back into the enigmatic world surrounding Nico’s life and work, which continues to resonate today.
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Stream: “garden grow” – Sarah Gargano
Sarah Gargano, originally from New York City and now residing in Nashville, unexpectedly reached out to me on LinkedIn.
She is set to release one final song under her given name before entering a new phase of her musical career with the moniker Paper Girl. Her last single, “garden grow,” features elements inspired by Nico’s “These Days.” This song was made available on all streaming platforms on Friday, August 29th.
“garden grow” – Sarah Gargano
“ I drew inspiration mostly from the sound and atmosphere of ‘These Days,’” Gargano shared. “During the recording of [‘garden grow’], we kept revisiting ‘These Days’ to incorporate aspects into my own track. The writing process was stream-of-consciousness; I candidly wrote about the experiences of my twenties and the challenges that come with it, which I think has a reflective quality.”
Listening to both songs, I am struck by the youthful essence of Gargano’s lyrics. “These Days” has a reflective tone, as if looking back on life, whereas “garden grow” feels as though Gargano is just embarking on her journey but is held back by insecurities and self-doubt. The line “I’m only stable when I sprout alone” evokes conflicting imagery for me. When I think of a garden, I envision plants and flowers growing together. The notion of thriving alone and being stable in isolation seems to me like a self-protective illusion.
Sarah Gargano “garden grow” © 2025
“I feel there is an odd mix of being quite independent and enjoying solitude, yet also experiencing the fear that letting people in leads to pain. That’s a trauma response, which contributes to this ongoing feeling,” Gargano explained.
Nico also navigated illusions, particularly regarding her image. Often reduced to her appearance and impeded by misogyny throughout her career, it’s challenging to view Christa Päffgen (Nico) clearly. Her legacy has been shaped by the crude narratives of her male bandmates.
“‘Nico’ was not merely a name but a new identity, a mask for a shy, lonely girl to don,” Brian Dillon articulated in an essay for the New Yorker. “It’s difficult to uncover the facts, and even harder to discern the essence of her artistic intent. The lingering question is: What did Nico desire, or wish to express?”
The most compassionate biography of Nico, written by Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, is aptly titled You Are Beautiful and You Are Alone. Bickerdike observes, “In 1966, [Andy] Warhol elevated her to ‘Superstar’ status simply for being ‘Nico,’ yet it is Nico’s resolve to be an artist in her own right, irrespective of commercial viability, pop mainstream acceptance, or societal constraints, that has forged her posthumous legacy into something genuinely iconic. The authentic tale of Nico is one of perseverance, self-destruction, and steadfast belief in one’s artistic vision, regardless of the cost.”
Sarah Gargano “garden grow” © 2025
Despite a legacy marred by sexist stereotypes, Nico continues to inspire young artists like Gargano, even 37 years after her passing.
Jared Corder, a music producer, songwriter, and musician with more than 17 years of experience, produced “garden grow.” He and his wife, Kristyn Corder, created their own band *Repeat Repeat and run Polychrome Ranch, a music studio located in Hartsville, Tennessee.
Corder also produced Gargano’s upcoming emo Midwest rock album, which will be released soon under her new stage name, Paper Girl – a reference to her song “Paper Girl” from her initial EP. The song features an upbeat melody that conceals a serious desire not to be “diminished or romanticized,” into a simplistic version of herself. Gargano’s debut single as Paper Girl, “Roll With The Punches,” will be released at the end of September.
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Stream: “garden grow” – Sarah Gargano
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A note from the young and enchanting singer/songwriter Sarah Gargano brought me back into the intriguing realm of Nico’s life and artistry, which continues to resonate in the present.