 Q. Name?
A. Sarah Heavrin
Q. Hometown and current location?
A. Parsons, KS/ Nashville, TN
Q. Occupation?
A. Demo Singer and Independent Performer/Songwriter
Q. Tell us a bit about yourself...
A. My personal quote is: "If you want it, feel it, love it and believe it, then stand up and get it." This clearly defines my personality and outlook on life. By practicing it, I have been able to support myself as an independent Singer and Songwriter. I live for performing, and my two passions in life are singing and writing. Currently, I'm promoting the Pop Rock album which I wrote with my two, younger brothers and father. It's called "Seven 2 Seven" and was released in September of 2008. I'm also the sole member of my own LLC, "Seventh City Entertainment".
Q. How did it all begin for you?
A. My passion for singing began at the age of five when I fell madly in love with the movie "The Sound of Music". Another musical influence from my childhood was in fact my father. I would listen to him play The Beatles' songs and sing along with him.... quite often...as loud as I could! I grew up singing in middle school and high school choirs, but I never really stood out. I was really shy about my talent, and I think because of that my vocals became fairly aggressive. My affection for songwriting developed in high school. My younger brothers and I would write songs and record them in our bathroom on a Cakewalk program. From that point on, writing became a spiritual release for me, which has only intensified and has now started evolving into a career.
Q. Where do you find your inspiration?
A. My inspiration comes from a variety of factors. My drive to succeed stems from my small town upbringing because it made me determined to live a life full of intensity. My inspiration for writing definitely comes from past experience. If I haven't gone through it, then I don't like to write about it. In fact, every song I've written comes from something real, whether or not it happened to me directly or indirectly. My inspiration for singing comes from other performers. Childhood influences like Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey and current influences like Kelly Clarkson and Avril Lavigne have shaped my vocals and driven me to write and produce my own albums.
Q. Describe a normal day in the life of Sarah?
A. Interesting you ask... My latest album title, "Seven 2 Seven", was chosen because I worked on it every day from 7 AM to 7 PM for a time period of seven months. Now that the album has been released, I follow that same schedule everyday. I get up at 7 AM and head to the gym. I have writing appointments or demo sessions mid to late afternoon and practice vocals for my current songs in the early evenings. My late evenings are still spent with my eye on the prize as I'm out meeting potential co-writers, participating in writer's nights or playing out.
Q. What other talents do you have besides singing?
A. I have two: writing and performing. When it comes to writing, my main strength is the vocal melody. The melodies come instantly and then later it works into words. I've tried to write lyrics first and then put them to music, but it doesn't work that way.... at least not for me. Certain words have a specific energy to them, and once I have the vocal melody down a word or two will come out naturally. From that point on, the words just flow and the song evolves. My other talent is performing. The network I've formed in Nashville tells me that watching me perform takes everything to a higher level. Dave Matthews, a recording engineer for Sony BMG, told me that my energy level is so intense that it's almost overwhelming. I dig that because by nature I'm an intense person.
Q. What makes you unique from other singers?
A. What makes me unique from other singers is the emotion in my vocals. Because I write all of my own material, I really get into what I'm singing. Songs take me back and make me remember the past whether it was a happy time or a ruff time. I deliver that to my audience and they appreciate it because it's real. My phrasing is also a lot different than other singers. Most people tell me that my vocal style is truly unique. They can hear influences but when it comes out it's totally original and my own.
Q. In your opinion, how has the music scene changed throughout the
years?
A. I think the TV show American Idol has changed the scene to a certain degree. The winner is always an unbelievable singer and performer, and many of them go on to dominate the scene when it comes to media attention and album sales. I've gotten influence from idols such as Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson and many other singers I've met say the same thing. I also think that it's changed a lot for songwriters- mainly in the Country genre. Recording artists are co-writing more of their own songs, and it makes it more difficult for writers to get cuts. Some writers now scout out talent and tap into production roles to ensure that they get cuts. Any takers...;)
Q. If you could change one thing about it what would it be?
A. Truthfully I don't spend a lot of time focusing on changing anything about the music scene. Things that are totally out of my control I don't ponder on.
However, I'd like to see more of myself in the mainstream music scene...
Q. What was the best event you've played at/put on?
A. Well I'd have to say the best event that I've played at was in NYC at the venue The Bitter End. It was a great experience for me and not for reasons you might suspect. It was actually my first show and I was playing with an amazing group that I had only met two weeks prior to the event. I filled in for their lead singer and wasn't prepared. Although the crowd had a great time, I most certainly didn't! I experienced my first form of stage fright and felt totally awkward. I faked it as well as I could but I really was out of my element on stage. After that, I dedicated a lot of time playing out and performing to ensure that I'd never go through that again. In retrospect, it was the best live event that I ever experienced because it turned me into an outstanding performer. Now my ability to deliver to an audience is one of my strengths and I'm grateful for that.
Q. What advice would you give to up-and-coming vocal artists?
A. There many different avenues artists can take to become noticed. Regardless, of the "how" it is important for up and coming artists to not suffer from discouragement or fear. Practice your craft to the point that you do it so well that it becomes undeniable. Work hard but work smart- networking is key. Play out and get as much exposure performing as you possibly can. There are so many little things that you don't think about in a show that go on and the only way to really prepare for them is through experience. Other than that, be original and real. People will see through you as an artist if you aren't yourself.
Q. Do you have any upcoming projects that we can look out for?
A. Yes! I'm currently writing new material with two very talented artists including Eddie Bush from One Flew South (Decca) and Lee Roy from the brother and sister duet "The Roys". The new songs should be finished by the New Year and they are awesome! I'm also writing new material with Analisa Gram. She's a very talented songwriter who has written for George Strait and Martina McBride. Writing with her has added a whole new element to what I've been doing in the past, and I'm really excited to see what becomes of it.
Q. Final thoughts on our site or what's on your mind?
A. Thank you for all that you do for up and coming artists such as myself! Your site is so efficient when it comes to networking, and it is imperative for artists to make connections with industry professionals in order to be successful. I've recommended this site to every artist that is looking to connect with Songwriters, Managers, Producers..Etc. It has a lot to offer with all the contests it hosts and it's also cool that it has job and internship postings for the industry. Thanks for getting to know me better. Peace!
>> Visit Sarah's Profile
|
|
|
|