Written in the midst of a life-changing chapter, SABINA’s recent single is an anthem for those tired of seeking external validation. With over four million streams on Spotify alone, SABINA has been a pop-ballad powerhouse since penning the Russian anthem, ‘Dagestan’ in 2009. Fusing elements of pop, R&B, and soul, ‘Somebody Else’ is the latest chapter in SABINA’s evolving artistry, as she offers up a single exploring the importance of finding self-love. We catch up with SABINA about the release..
SABINA, it’s a total pleasure to talk to you!
We adore your new single ‘Somebody Else’ – it features a dazzling vocal performance from yourself. How did you train to sing? Are you self-taught or have you had training?
Thank you so much for the love on my new single! I am mostly self-taught when it comes to vocals. In my early teens, I tried to imitate vocal giants like Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston. As I was growing up and going through life experiences, I started writing music and developing my own style.
And what are your warm-up techniques before a show or before recording?
Before performances, I’m trying to put myself in a good, playful mood. It’s all about that relaxed and easy state where I can let my voice flow naturally. I do the vocal warm-ups going up and down the scale. Also, I like the one where you sing vowels with a mouth wide open. You need to hold the chin down so it doesn’t move. This technique really helps me warm up my voice fast and effectively.
Your lyrics carry a lot of depth – what comes first, the lyrics or the music?
The best way is when music and lyrics come simultaneously. I can honestly say that this was the case with ‘Somebody Else’. The beginning of the song is the part that I initially planned to use in my other song called ‘Forever Gone’ as a chorus. I ended up not using it, but I loved this part so much that I just started writing from it as if it was a first verse. And in 5-10 minutes I had ‘Somebody Else’, with 90% of the lyrics just dawning on me on the spot. It was truly magical, and right away, I knew that this song would hold a very special place in my heart regardless if anyone will ever hear it or like it.
The song’s production further enhances its impact, blending contemporary pop and R&B elements seamlessly. Where do you think your unique blend of genres comes from?
I’ve always been a huge fan of R&B growing up, but honestly, I don’t really think about genres when creating music; I go by the feeling. With ‘Somebody Else’, I had complete creative freedom with production, and I just used all the elements I love. The song was written on the piano, and I tried to complement it and add to it with other instruments while my co-producer and engineer worked on making everything sound as good as possible. We did put our heart and soul into it, though, and I hope it shows.
We gather the main message of your new song is about moving away from seeking external validation, and turning inwards and believing in yourself. Are we right on that one?
You are spot on! If we go into detail, it’s about making yourself small in relationships, because you think that to be happy, you need to be loved, and to be loved, you need to fit in whatever expectation they have of you. As it progresses, you find yourself not only not happy, but not loved either, cause in denying yourself your true self-expression, no love can prosper. And so you have to make that difficult decision to bet on yourself, when no one is betting on you and to be fearless in the face of your biggest fears. But the trick is once you choose inner love, you become a magnet for external one 🙂 So get ready to be very, very happy!
