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Sabrina: The Euphoric Interview
By Gira
Before we get inside the head of the
angelic Sabrina I want to say thank you to her for giving us the
opportunity to conduct this interview.
1. How long have you been singing and how did you get started?
Well, I guess you could say I have been
singing my whole life since it is something I love to do.
However, professionally, it’s been a few years. I have always
worked one way or the other in the music industry, which
ultimately led me back to where I am today. I know this sounds
like a cliché, but I really believe I was put here to do this.
No matter what I have done, somehow I am always brought back to the
music. So, this time, I have chosen to take this path and I am
loving every moment of it.
2. What music marjory influenced you growing up and now?
I am a huge fan of the 80’s (New Wave) and
Rock.. Of course there are my standard favorites like The Cure,
David Bowie, Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin, The Cult, A Perfect Circle,
Tool, Tori Amos, Marianne Faithfull, Smashing Pumpkins, Jaque Brel,
so many… I don’t think there is enough room on this page to name all
the artists I love and respect.
3. Your music is unique mixing both the elements of Goth and
Alternative was this something you always wanted to do how did this
come about?
I have never really sought out to have both
elements of Goth and Alternative in my music. It has just come
out this way because my music is an extension of who I am, how I
think, and how I feel. I am not one or the other I am both and
this tends to come out in my lyrics and melodies (some sorrow, some
pain, and some hope, all sandwiched in between a melody that
compliments the mood of the lyrics or just how I feel at that moment
in time).
4. Have you noticed a huge fan base since the release of Euphoria?
Yes, I have noticed a very big local and
International fan base. From the United States, Germany,
Netherlands, United Kingdom, South America, to Russia, Spain,
Greece, Japan, China, and the Middle East. I would say it is
approximately 50% United States and the other 50% overseas. I
am so happy to have been accepted and embraced by so many countries,
it is very exciting to connect this way with people all over the
world… You can say that Music is Universal - thanks to open minds
and the Internet.
5. Were there any other releases prior to Euphoria or was this your
debut release?
Euphoria is my debut CD. I have no prior
releases.
6. How does your writing for songs come about, are they drawn from
personal experiences, emotions, or events that have happened in your
life?
Actually, my songs come about from everything
you mention. Some songs like “Without A Trace” and “Tell Me”
are from my personal experiences, “Find Another” and “Star” are
about friends and their life events that I could relate to.
Then there are other songs that come from general observation of the
world, people, and life, like “Angels Cry” and “Euphoria”. I
am always in writing mode, I constantly think of subjects, lyrics,
melodies, so I have a tape recorder and little pads of paper
everywhere, car, purse, and pockets, everywhere you can think of.
This way it’s easy for me to write lyrics or ideas down quickly
before I forget it, because believe me, I can come up with something
as fast as I can forget it so it is very important to always have
paper near by.
7. Did you ever perform live and if so what does your stage show
consist of and does it vary?
Yes, I have just begun to perform in New York
City. Currently, my shows are acoustic, sort of an unplugged
show of some of the songs on Euphoria and some new songs recently
written. Keith, my collaborator joins me in the show and will
either play, acoustic, electric or bass depending on the song I
perform. I do intend to do some shows with a full band in the
future. And even then, it will vary depending on the venue if
we play full band or stripped down acoustic style.
One really nice option that some of the venues are now offering for
bands and artists is streaming the show. This way, fans that
do not live locally are able to go into the venues website and watch
the band or artist’s show in real time. The shows are
also archived so if a fan happens to miss a performance, they can go
into the venue’s website and see what they missed. This
happens to be the case with a show we are doing at CBGBs Gallery in
NYC. Full band will come soon.
8. Is there a tour in the works?
Currently I am performing around New York City
and when the time comes, a tour will be scheduled, but for now, I am
concentrating on local shows to form a solid fan base.
9. Are there any other projects that you are involved in or planning
on doing either musically or artistically?
No, no other projects at this time. I
want to devote 100% of my time to my music and write the best songs
I can.
10. How would our readers be able to purchase your material and find
out more about you?
Anyone can purchase my CD on CD Baby, CD
Street, Amazon.com, Soniccathedral.com, various NYC retail stores,
all that information is available on the SabrinaMusic.com website.
Also, if they want to hear some samples of the music they can go
directly to my website http://www.SabrinaMusic.com and listen, there
are a couple songs they can actually download and also view all
lyrics. SabrinaMusic.com also has many other things, they can
my bio, bio’s of everyone I work with and how we work together,
news, reviews, live interviews, pictures, video, and there is a fan
club where they can sign up to receive priority information of new
releases, shows, news, and more. The latest, very new addition
is a Guestbook. I love it when fans leave messages, I do read all
the messages personally.
11. What is the message you want to convey through your music?
First and foremost, I want to say that I am
not one to moralize in speech or in music. I don’t like to be
told what to do and how to do it myself, so I don’t expect people to
do it either. So, in short the message is that most of the
time, no matter what age, race or gender life sucks! But,
there is always a solution and as long as one looks for it and does
something positive about it, they will be okay.
My lyrics tend to be about the injustices of
life, people, and relationships, then how to overcome them or just
to look deep inside oneself and realize there is a problem and do
something about it. I understand how we all feel trapped in
many given situations and somehow being so close to a problem, we
neglect to see that there is a way to get out of that place and
start a new. So, I try to show that in my music. On the
other hand, I also write about the fun things in life.
I have had several fans write to me and
mentioned that one of my songs have helped them through a tough
situation and were thankful. This is what it’s all about… to
see that one of the songs, no matter which one, helped someone or
made them think, act, or even smile about the situation they are in
or were in at some time. It’s all about trying to connect and
lift that hurt by finding a solution in lyrics that might make the
pain or situation go away or more tolerable for anyone out there
listening.
12. Are there any spiritual ideals that influence you and your
music?
Only my own intuition influences my music.
I don’t claim to know all nor do I want to, but if there is any
chance that someone connects with just one of my songs and it helped
them through a tough time or they simply enjoy what they hear, it
makes it all worth while.
13. In the sub cultural scene dealing with Goth, Alternative, and
Darkwave do you see major changes within the music and artistic
ability now than say five years ago?
I think the talent level is rising and it’s
because more people are becoming aware of the scene. I am not
sure if it is due to the internet or what? But from what I
have heard it has definitely improved in the past few years.
14. In your opinion what is selling out and do you feel going
commercial compromises the integrity of the music?
To me, “Selling Out” is an artist or band who
doesn’t have the guts to take the chance to put out their own style
of music and basically, tailor themselves after a popular artists
and bands who have made it in order to get recognition or to get
signed.
Going commercial… Absolutely not, I don’t think going commercial
compromises the integrity of music. If everyone loves your
music, it is bound to go commercial. I think as long as you
keep your true identity and don’t let anyone change you and your
music, your integrity is safe and well respected by ones fans and
peers.
15. Have you ever had any strange events happen to you pertaining to
your music and if not, then non-music? If so please name two.
Strange things that have happen to me? Hmmm,
not really, I think I am the strange thing that happens to other
people.
16. Do you find it being more difficult being a female performer
than say if you were a male in this business?
In rock, YES… Just take a look at Billboard’s
top Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock Tracks - not one female artist
or female fronted band... sometimes maybe one will come through but
quickly phase out. It’s ridiculous! It seems okay for women to
sing dance tracks, country, and easy listening adult contemporary
music, but rock seems to be the testosterone genre of music, and it
really needs a shot of estrogen, and that my friends would be me!
17. Are there religious undertones in your music such as Angel's Cry
or was that an added bonus that just came to be?
No religious undertones – I don’t go there…
Again just perception and my personal observation of what I see
going around our world right now.
18. What was life like growing up in Brussels, Belgium?
Well, I was there for my first 8 years of
life, so I was pretty young when I lived there. Aside from the
wonderful food, which I miss very much to this day, I mostly
remember the amazing 12th century gothic churches and all around
general architecture, (aside from my father being a violinist, he
also resorted antiques as a hobby, so I was taught to pay attention
to such beauty and details). These Gothic roots are instilled in me
and I continue to surround myself with it as much as possible being
at home or attire. I hope to be able to go back to Brussels
one day and see if the place I lived in still exists and just walk
around and see how things have changed.
19. Was the transition to New York City a tough one and did this
help you become even more Determined musically?
Well, I lived in Los Angeles for a few years
before moving to New York City and even though the West Coast and
East Coast are much different from one another the transition was
not bad. But, I can tell you that life in NYC gave me the
confidence and opportunities that I would never have had anywhere
else to reach for my dream of making music. Aside from meeting
people that believed in me 100% and unselfishly helped me by giving
their time and talents in the making of “Euphoria.” NYC is
more open to unknown or underground music. The venues and
people in general are open to listening to your music, they may like
it, they may not, but they don’t prejudge you just by the way you
look or by the genre of music you are into.
20. In your own words what would you say to struggling musicians
that have talent but have been overlooked by commercial driven
bands?
Musicians have been struggling for years and
years, it’s no different now and will never be easy – hence
“Starving Artists”.
But, honestly… I do think it is a little harder now because there
are so many bands and artist out there and if you have your own
sound or don’t fit into a certain genres or mold of music that is
out now, getting huge recognition is bleak because labels may not
want to sign an artist that is not guaranteed to bring in instant
cash.
But, there is hope!!! I read that this year’s Grammy’s had the
lowest viewing ratings ever in the history of the Grammy’s. What
does that tell me? Well, people are sick and tired of the
sugar coated, lip-synching, prefabricated music that is out now and
are ready for a change!
So, struggling musicians, this is our time. Go out there and show
them what real music is supposed to sound like!
21. Before we go are there words of your own you'd like to share
with us?
Yes, I want to thank Culture Asylum Ltd. and
Gira for your kindness and support as well as for conducting this
interview with me. It is people and groups like yourself that
gives unknown artists the opportunity to be heard and appreciated by
others in the world.
Thank you and thanks to Culture Asylum readers!
Thank you Sabrina for your time and I hope we will be able to talk
with you again really soon. We look forward to hearing more
from this talented Lady and I recommend Euphoria who has a true
appreciation for music.
Sabrina keep making music that matters........
You are more than welcome!!! Sabrina ^..^
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