This week LAURA TOMBOLANI speaks to SABRINA GUNSTON, who attends BIMM Brighton, about her new single and and her inspiration as a musician. Her new single High comes ahead of her upcoming EP launch party

You’ve released a fair few tracks yourself and your social media is very consistent with snippets of songs and covers – what keeps you so determined?
I like to make sure everyone stays involved with my music so if I haven’t got an original song ready to put out, I’ll do a short snippet of a cover which I’ve changed a little to appeal more to my style.
 
Tell us about your new single High?
High is a song based around the emotions of losing someone or something but you don’t want to quite yet sink into that sad place where you end up grieving. You want to stay on a high as you don’t want to quite believe it yet. So the video that goes with it portrays a mad night out with your mates as that’s one popular way people choose to stay on their “high”.
 
Where do you pull your musical inspirations from?
My inspirations vary. I love the modern artists like Nao, Banks, FKA Twigs, Gallant, Jhene Aiko but I also love the power from Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Joni Mitchell. I gather inspirations from my work place at the cafe where I hear loads of stories and experiences which enable me to jot down ideas. I also listen to a variety of genres such as; drum and bass, funk, dubstep, UK garage, R&B and soul. This helps me to broaden my use of instruments on the production side of things.
 
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given so far?
Probably to just be yourself and know who you want to be, how you want to be perceived and to not let anyone change you for who you are and what you stand for. Quite a long piece of advice there but that’s definitely one of the best.
 
Has studying song writing changed your approach to music?
Yes. I’ve been songwriting since I was 12. I can definitely say that my songs that were from when I was 12 years old had no story line but a lot of emotion whereas now I’ve learnt how to balance the two together and create something personal to me.
 
What’s the best thing about making music in Brighton?
The people you work with are always full of ideas and creativity. The gigging venues are great to play and always attract a crowd no matter what. Also as it’s a smaller city, you can network quite easily. They will help you if you help them type of thing.
 
You’ve played a number of shows across Brighton, what’s your favourite venue so far?
Oh, a favourite one, that’s hard. Every venue is so different from each other, bringing in different crowds of people and creating a different atmosphere so it’s hard to pinpoint where I feel is my favourite. Also if I’m quite honest, I can’t remember where I’ve played. I’ve got a memory of a fish, you know like Dory from Finding Nemo. 
 
You’ve had a lot of attention from the BBC introducing platform, what’s it like having that level of recognition?
I still can’t believe it if I’m honest. I am so lucky they are supporting me. In this industry I feel like it’s quite important having someone backing you up. No matter who it is but having that one person supporting you and believing in you can help you get that one step further. 
 
You’ve got your EP launch very soon at The Hope and Ruin, tell us about that. How has it been organising it?
Wahoo! I am super excited about my EP launch party. It has been a little stressful organising it, I’m not going to lie but I know it will all pay off. I know it’s a great venue (one of the best in Brighton) and I’m so happy to be playing it in my hometown. It should be a busy night. I can’t wait until I perform my songs from my EP.