In an interview with Jushawn Henderson and Violet Manco, Sarah Brix spoke about her deep bond with music and how it serves as her emotional haven. She started her musical journey with voice, guitar, and piano lessons. Remarkably, Sarah attended Guelph University to study visual arts before enrolling in the Independent Music Program (IMP) at Seneca College. Her enthusiasm for the music industry really started to blossom at this time. “I observed that outside of art classes I was writing songs and listening to music more frequently”. She explains her transition from art to pursuing music fully: “It became my outlet during difficult times, leading me to the realization that music was where my heart truly belonged.”
An interesting fact learned through this interview is that Sarah’s music genre is categorized as acoustic, folk, alternative, intertwined with elements of pop. A pivotal aspect for her in the Independent Music Program has been networking and forging connections. “I’ve met a lot of people through the program, a lot of other artists, and professors who are all industry professionals,” she notes. “I’ve really just discovered more about who I am as an artist, and how to go out into the world and pursue this dream of mine as a career,” Sarah passionately expresses.
During the interview Jushawn asked Sarah about her plans after graduating from the Independent Music Program. “I’ve been applying to different recording studios, hoping to get internships or work as a receptionist—basically, entry-level jobs,” she says. “I want to work at one of these studios full-time so I can support my music career financially.” Sarah’s love for the music business and songwriting is evident when she shares in the interview that she is currently working on new songs for an upcoming album.
Sarah announces an approaching milestone: the release of her first single in January 2024. When asked about the song by Violet, she shares, “It’s called FLY, it’s an acoustic song, just guitar and vocals, and it’s actually a meaningful song for me because it’s about self-harm”. Sarah goes into more detail about her preference for writing songs about overcoming addiction and mental health. She highlights that music has been crucial in helping her overcome her personal issues with addiction and mental health. Explaining the inspiration behind ‘FLY,’ she refers to the show BoJack Horseman, “There’s a poem in the second last episode called the view from halfway down, which is about self-harm, ever since i’ve watched that it took ahold of me and inspired me to write my own song”
She goes on to discuss the style of her music, describing it as dark, and acknowledges that she’s still figuring out what genre she falls under. Sarah’s musical journey has been greatly influenced by Noah Kahan, especially her preference for folk music. At the moment, she is drawn to the folk-punk genre and finds inspiration in the underground musician Jack Kaze, whose sound closely resembles the genre she wants to embrace. Sarah observes, “This particular style is not often performed by female artists.” Many people have commented at open mic nights on how unusual it is to see a female musician pursuing this kind of music, which makes Sarah more passionate about what she does.
Every artist in the dynamic music industry has a distinct journey that influences their sound and sense of self. Sarah Brix, an aspiring singer and songwriter whose musical evolution has been greatly influenced by the likes of Taylor Swift, Hannah Montana, and the late Lil Peep, was a pleasure to sit down with recently. What started out as admiration in childhood eventually became a strong force for advocacy in the areas of addiction and mental health.
Sarah talked nostalgically about her early years during the interview, mentioning how Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana’s persona inspired her to pursue a career in singing. Her taste in music changed significantly as she went through life’s phases after discovering Lil Peep in high school.
Lil Peep, known for his unfiltered and poignant expressions of addiction and mental health struggles, resonated with Sarah on a deeply personal level. In a world where authenticity is often obscured, Sarah found solace and inspiration in an artist who was unapologetically honest about his experiences. It became a turning point for her, sparking a desire to use her own platform to shed light on these critical issues.
Sarah recognized the scarcity of women in the music business who are willing to talk openly about mental health and addiction, which was one of the most awakening aspects of our discussion. She believes it is her duty as a woman to contribute to conversation around mental health through music and eliminate the stigma around these issues. Sarah emphasized the need for more female voices on this topic in the industry, because they offer a variety of diverse perspectives and connection with audiences on a deeper, empathetic level.
Sarah talked about how she believes music has the ability to transform other people’s perspectives. She understands that music has a powerful effect: it can either keep you stuck in your present situation or act as a lifeline to help you get out of it. Her approach to songwriting and music creation is informed by this understanding.
Although the majority of the songs that Sarah writes are gloomy, she mentioned that she hopes to branch out into other genres in the future. Sarah sees a wide range of musical styles that can also capture a range of human feelings and experiences.
Sarah Brix goes by @sarah.brix on Instagram and TikTok for those who wish to join her on this musical adventure. Her first song will be available on all major streaming platforms in January, and it sounds like an emotional introduction to her musical world. When her music video is released in the early winter of 2024, supporters can expect an eye-catching experience.
In short, Sarah Brix is a storyteller as well as an artist who uses her talents to help people understand the complex web of human emotions. Her transition from youthful goals to a dedication to mental health advocacy serves as an example of how music can change lives.
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