Sabriel (pronounced shä brē el), is a Las Vegas-based singer, songwriter and producer, whose goal is to explore vulnerability through her music. Her neo-soul soaked sounds and unique, whimsical image are like nothing you’ve seen or heard before.
“The Flame” is the latest single to erupt from the volcanic kaleidoscope of creativity in the lead up to Sabriel’s upcoming EP. As a tribute to her child self (shown as the single artwork), Sabriel finds comfort in the image and her memories, knowing she is fulfilling what she has dreamt of doing from a very young age; “She has been my #1 inspiration for the past year.” Sabriel explains, “This song in particular doubles as affirmations and reminders to myself for when I’m not feeling confident. Songs are so permanent, so I’m trying to squeeze in as much magic into them as I can.”
Floating into a tunnel of alternative, neo-soul magic, “The Flame” takes a heavy lean onto the percussion, vocal melodies and harmonies. The result is a fiery, powerful track that emits an uplifting, feel-good soundscape. Minimal in its range of production, yet complex in its layers, Sabriel’s soulful, rich vocals give a timeless sense to the melodies, as she finds inspiration in the music she admired as a child. “The Flame” is both playful and steady in its maturity and wisdom.
Tell us about the story of your act
Hi! I knew since I was a kid that I wanted to make music. I was raised by parents who showed me a lot of incredible music really young. It always felt like a natural path for me!
What is the message behind your art?
The #1 thing I want to convey with my art is vulnerability. I want to discuss intimate, yet universal feelings in the music I make.
What are some sources of inspiration for your lyrics and storytelling?
Currently, I am very inspired by my childhood self. I’ve been finding lots of photos and home movies of me playing on the piano or singing. Things that I forgot that I did as a child. It’s been so reassuring to see these little flashbacks of my past, because I know this is something that has been inside of me since I was born. And that’s just heartwarming to me!
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
Stevie Wonder. Nowadays, I’m very cautious of romanticizing artists, because musicians are human and they are not perfect. But something about Stevie’s music just feels magical to me. Like, where did all of that magic come from? No other artist’s music makes me feel how his music makes me feel.
All time favorite record?
You just tapped into my Libra indecisiveness. There are so many records that I love! Mama’s Gun by Erykah Badu, Voodoo by D’Angelo. I really like Fiona Apple’s last 2 records. Talking Book by Stevie Wonder is incredible. So is Prince’s self-titled album. So many beautiful and iconic records out there to choose from!
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
I came across an old photo of me as a little kid twisting some knobs and being an absolute badass. This is the photo that I used for the single artwork. I wasn’t feeling very confident in the music I was making. I think I was experiencing imposter syndrome. When I saw that picture, I was immediately reassured that I am on the right path and that making music is something I’ve been driven to do since I was a child.
You seem to be fusing several musical genres. What inspires your sound?
I grew up listening to a lot of soul music, which I think is at the core of everything I make. Also, I was a dancer from the age of 3 until I was 18, so I was listening to music of all genres for hours on end every day. I was exposed to intricate rhythms and movement even in moments of silence. I learned to find breath and beats in unusual spaces in music. I was also listening to the same songs over and over and over again during choreography and rehearsals, which really picks apart the structure of a song, while at the same time applying new meaning to it. I sometimes forget that dance made such a huge impact on me as a musician. I was never and still am not trained in music theory. All my brain power was used up in dance, which I think gives me an interesting approach to making music.
What excites you the most about what you do?
There is an indescribable feeling we get as humans when we sing. I mean, we are making sound with our bodies that vibrate throughout a space. It’s beautiful and healing. Sometimes I’ll sing a song and it will feel like I just meditated. I think music is meditation. And music is one thing that all humans love and seek out. It is everywhere. How cool is that?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself as a stronger and wiser person. I think I’ll have a lot of lessons to learn over the next 5 years that will elevate me as a human and an artist.
Your style is very original and elaborate. How do you take care of your aesthetics?
This is a really cool question! First of all, thank you. I think I might subconsciously try to break rules. Or at least I try to be contradictory with my style, which I think seeps into my music, too. I also like to play within the spectrum of femininity and masculinity. I love vintage menswear and I also love pieces that make me feel like a powerful witchy woman. I feel at home right in the middle of those aesthetics.
What was the most daunting moment in your career so far?
There was a moment a few years ago where I decided I wasn’t going to work with a band anymore. I was very young and hadn’t gained a lot of confidence in my work yet, so I was very malleable when it came to the opinions of others. I was working with some very toxic and misogynistic musicians and I did not feel good about myself. So I decided I was going to do it all myself so I could really find my own voice and confidence. It was really scary and I learned a lot, but I’m so glad I did it, because I feel a lot more secure in who I am.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
“Nobody really knows what they are doing.” It’s so hard not to compare yourself to others, but hearing that even my biggest role models are just winging it is so reassuring. There isn’t a guidebook for this music thing. There isn’t a guidebook for life in general. You just have to experiment and see if it sticks.
Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
Oh wow, I’m not really sure!! The music industry is always changing at such a rapid pace. We have artists like Doja Cat who are seamlessly incorporating TikTok trends into their music, which is so interesting to watch. Then we have NFT’s, which are so intricate. At the end of the day, there are no rules. It could go in so many directions. It’s a bit overwhelming for me, because once I’m finally comfortable with a new trend, something new is already rising to the top. Technology, man!
