Artist Interview: soundbysab
It's not every day you get to see an artist's journey unfold in real-time, but that's exactly what's happening with soundbysab. From his heartfelt lyrics to his dynamic collaborations, this artist is making waves in the music scene. We recently had the chance to chat with him about his recent show in South Wales with Rel4xed, his upcoming projects, and the evolution of his sound. He even shared some fun facts with us.
Q. Your recent show at "The Green Rooms" in South Wales with Rel4xed sounds like it was a significant event. Can you tell us more about the experience of performing together, especially since it was your first in-person meeting?
A. "It was great! Having spoken and planned things out a while back helped a lot. In terms of chemistry, it was there from the soundcheck! It wasn’t the biggest turnout on the night, which isn't what the show was ever about, but we made it a good time."
Q. You've mentioned working on a new project set for release at the end of 2025 or the start of 2026. What can listeners expect from this new material? Are there any themes or sounds you're exploring that are different from your previous work?
A. "Honestly? It's a heartfelt project, as any project featuring Rel4xed (Charlie) is, as vague as that may sound. We both said we want this EP/album to be THAT collaboration that shows people how versatile we are. It may be “Steady Rel4xing 2” (name to be decided). I'm super excited to show you all!"
Q. "Reflective Practice" recently dropped! What was the inspiration behind this single, and how does it fit into your broader discography?
A. "We have been sitting on it since about December of last year, truthfully! Benny Blanco put it a lot better than I could when he said, 'When it’s meant to happen it’ll happen.' This is a prime example of it! It’s something we wanted to do just after the show because the track symbolizes the growth we have both undergone in the last few years that we have been working together. The evolution is definitely there."
Q. With two albums and a number of singles already under your belt, how do you feel your sound has evolved since you first started creating music?
A. "The biggest change is the subject matter. As someone who experiences struggles with mental health, I try to highlight the good, bad, and in-between of what I experience, if that makes sense? Outside of that, I try to capture the trials and tribulations we all go through, really."
Q. Rel4xed is described as a "collaborator and close friend." How does this strong personal connection influence your creative process when working together?
A. "We had that natural vibe from the first track we made. It’s funny, when I dropped our first song together on Spotify, 'pills for dinner,' he completely forgot we made the track! But no, I'm glad we met. There’s no one I make music with like Charlie. It’s just different."
Q. You're looking to play a show in Scotland, Rel4xed's home turf. Are there any specific venues or cities you're hoping to perform in, and what excites you about bringing your music to a Scottish audience?
A. "For sure! The perfect venue for this show would be “The Mash House” in Edinburgh! What a venue—if you get the chance to go, GO! Elite venue. In an ideal world, we can do a few dates up there, such as in Glasgow!"
Q. Beyond the upcoming project, what are your long-term goals for soundbysab? Are there any dream collaborations or venues you aspire to?
A. "Unfortunately, a lot of the people I would answer this question with aren’t here anymore. The late and great Juice Wrld would have to be up there! In terms of people that are still here and this could be possible: 'Annual Killers' (shoutout the boys!), 'Leisure Hour,' and I feel me and The Kid Laroi could make something cool together! Oh, and Polo G. Very different genres and styles, but that’s me!"
Q. Your Spotify profile shows a range of popular tracks like "Awful Times," "Everybody hates me...," and "Heartless." Do you find that certain songs resonate more with your audience, and if so, why do you think that is?
A. "Yes and no, great question! I feel that people who have been around for a while, or even anyone who actively listens to my music, understand a lot of those examples above were made during very dark times in my life. I feel it's important to acknowledge that’s how I felt then for myself, really, and that progression within myself. In some aspects, those songs got me to where I am within myself and moving on from that time."
Q. Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process? Does it usually start with a melody, a lyric, or something else entirely?
A. "Absolutely! I often work backward, let me elaborate. Often, I'll hear a beat, come up with a cool line, figure out where it comes in, and work forward or backward from there! In terms of writing, it depends heavily on how I feel at the time and how the song is progressing. Lyrics are the biggest thing for me. For example, a lot of my favorite tracks come from a 'freestyle' attempt with the beat."
Q. The music industry can be challenging. What keeps you motivated and inspired to continue creating and releasing music?
A. "Always keep creating, even for yourself! It sounds cliché, but that’s the best advice I can give. I started the same way I plan to carry on: make cool music. If people happen to like it, that’s amazing, but having people relate to the messages between the lines is much more meaningful. I went a bit off question there, but basically, keep doing you!"
Q. For new listeners who are just discovering soundbysab, which song would you recommend they listen to first to get a true sense of your artistry?
A. "That’s a tough one. I'd say 'Narcos' personally. It’s a celebration of life and death and where we are now. It’s one of our deeper ones, if you will, but worth a listen."
Q. What's one final fun fact you'd like to share with your fans?
A. "A bit of dirt on me: I couldn’t tie my shoelaces for the life of me until I was 20 or 21—true story!"
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