Fusing varied inspirations – from long drives and Lebanon, to choir and Christmas – helps Sarah Mansour (Instagram) maintain her vocal identity.
In your everyday life, what little things inspire you to make music?
A lot of my inspiration happens while I’m driving. I’m often blasting music in the car and suddenly I have different ideas pouring in. When I catch something good, I park somewhere scenic so I can develop my ideas. It helps me to get moving. If I’m writing at home and I feel stuck, I’ll even go for a drive just to get the juices flowing. Melodies and lyrics also often pop into my head while I’m trying to go to sleep and then I have to get up and make little recordings on my phone.
Your voice is nostalgic, how did you discover its distinctiveness?
I learned to sing at a very young age and felt inspired by artists with deep voices. A big part of my vocal identity is layering harmonies and I believe this comes from years of choir practice at school. This, combined with the inspiration I draw from female RnB and soul artists, is what has built my vocal technique.
Tell us about your very first song, and how it came about.
The first song I ever wrote is called “What Selma Said”. I was 14 years old and wrote it for my best friend, who kept pushing me to sing. I even had it professionally recorded and produced. The song is about how your friends can make you believe in yourself and encourage you to shine. I still ask myself if I should release it properly.
What is your favourite song to sing in the shower?
This changes constantly but a few songs that always come back are: “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston, “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish, and “Loving Her Was Easier” by Willie Nelson.
What’s an unpopular opinion that you genuinely believe in?
Christmas music is so good. I’m talking about the classics: I love the jazz, the warmth, and the fact we only hear it once a year. I have fond memories of the holidays so it meant a lot to me to release a cover of one of my all-time favourites, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”.
If you were to embody any pop icon dead or alive, who would it be?
Freddie Mercury meets Sade.
What is the next big achievement or dream you wish to accomplish?
I’m working on my first EP right now and I couldn’t be more excited to create this story and release it into the world. It feels like a physical piece of the last three years of my life.
Are there any emerging artists who you appreciate in the industry?
Taxi 404, November Ultra, Flo, Lana Lubany and Nadine El Roubi.
How do you hold onto your Lebanese roots?
I wouldn’t be making music if I hadn’t moved back to Beirut after six years in the US. Lebanon is a part of my entire musical identity and working with fellow Lebanese talents to kickstart my career has ensured that a piece of this place is in everything I make.
For more stories and interviews, like this one with Sarah Mansour, check out our dedicated music and arts & culture pages.
