Your new album Thou Art That is beautiful. What was the inspiration behind the title?
Thank you. The inspiration behind the title was from a painting I made of a palm tree. I titled the painting Tat Tvam Asi. It’s Sanskrit. It is from the Upanishad. It is a declaration, “Thou At That”. It is not personal (and yet it is), it is universal. It is the Thou that connects us. That which resides in us all. The All of who we are. We are that which we already are. The unseen that mind cannot comprehend in a lifetime and yet in a blink of an eye it is the truth of existence. Thou Art That is a level of awareness. Thou Art That comes before thought and sound and is thought and sound. It is a state of consciousness. It is the I am that I am. It is subtle. It is right there when I meditate. It is there when I sleep. You are that. We are that. Thou Art That.
What is your ideal way to record an album? Any recording process wisdom to share?
My ideal way to record an album is to be prepared. Know the material and be in a mindset that allows me to stay focused. I have rituals when in the studio. I meditate beforehand. I take my special rocks and crystals with me. They help to keep me grounded. I talk to myself.
Any advice I can share about the recording process is to remember why it is you’re there. What is the purpose of the material?
Have fun and enjoy the process. Have patience. It is always about the journey. Do not settle for less than what you set out to accomplish. If it takes a long time, it takes a long time. Stay true to what you set out to do in the first place. Of course, make sure the mics are good. Listen to what others have done before you in said recording studio. Most importantly be fearless. Fear based thoughts will always get in the way of progress.
How would you describe your sound in one sentence?
The sound of the music I create is a real living breathing vibrational experience of emotions, rhythmic and lyrical non conformity.
How do you balance the busy life of a performer?
Every day is a gift. I put my energy into doing what I love. I love my family and friends and I love writing music, singing and making art and reading. So I don’t ever think of it as balancing anything. I just do. I keep going and do my best to honor my relationships but to be honest I think my social life suffers the most. I spend most of my free time with my family when I’m not working and I work a lot. So maybe my time isn’t equally balanced. It’s tough. I have many flaws and like everyone else am experiencing this human condition called life. I’m still learning and have a long ways to go. I get in my own way a lot. Probably keeping myself off balance at times. Maybe that’s a good thing in a way. We live in a topsy turvy world. Where it seems the world as a whole is very unbalanced and unequal and unethical. I think we are a reflection of what we put out Into our universe and the multiverse gives it back to us.
Tell us your dream music collaborations!
Music collaborations I’d be interested in doing would be with Jack White, Tom Morello, Sting, Dave Grohl, (the ladies of)Pussy Riot, Dolly Parton, Mathangi Arulpragasam (aka MIA), Chrissy Hyndes, Patti Smith, Jill Scott, Nina Hagen, Annie Lennox, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Esperanza Spalding, Melissa Etheridge, Chrissie Hynde, Brittany Howard, Brandi Carlile, Fiona Apple, and Nina Haagen. There are lots of brilliant musical artists that I admire and hope to work with one day that I didn’t mention that are known and not so known. I can go on for days with naming folks I’d like to work with. Dreams can manifest into waking reality if one truly believes.
How do our readers stay connected with you on line?
I would love to stay connected to your readers!! Please find me at;
Social Media:
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sayedsabrina/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SayedSabrina
FCAEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sayedsabrina/
YOU TUBE: https://www.youtube.com/sayedsabrinamusic
Also, come on out to a show and say hello and get a hug!!
Next Shows:
1/19 – Write Off Room – Woodland Hills, CA
1/24 – The Deadhorse – San Angelo, TX
1/25 – Esquire Jazz – Amarillo, TX
1/27 – Red Velvet – Albuquerque, NM
1/28 – Kazimierz (Kazbar) Wine and Whisky Bar – Scottsdale, AZ
End of Interview