Sarah Packiam

SUPERSTAR
The Next Irish Female Superstar
Sarah Packiam Interview
By: Patrick Lorcan Woods, International Music Correspondent

For all you young male (and maybe not so young) hormonal lovers of real female talent I present to you Sarah Packiam. Beautiful, vibrant and talented, she is without doubt going to be our next Irish Female Superstar in the making. Yes, I did say superstar and I would bet my bottom dollar on this artist being one of the biggest female exports to come out my own fair country of Ireland, since Maureen O’Hara left our shores all those years ago to become an actor. It has been a long time coming to have such an astounding performer to emerge from our country in decades. The distinctive grit that pulsates in Sarah’s voice makes you ooze with delight as you listen to any of her Albums. Her suggestive body language evokes you to desire more of what Sarah has to offer as she romps in front of the camera. This new goddess of attraction will appeal to all those lovers of music that wants lots of sex appeal and catchy melodies with plenty of the ooooh laaa laaa factor. After watching her video called, "Silly Little Love Songs" from her latest album "AGAIN" I checked that my pulse had returned to normal before I asked this future global sensation a few questions.

Q. When did you first start writing music and discover you had such a talent for writing music?

S. I remember clearly deciding around the age of 12 that I wanted to write a song. I was listening to the Carpenters writing down their lyrics from my cassette player and singing along with headphones. It felt natural to want to write my own song. Why wouldn't I?

2. You reside in Miami which to me is the artists center of creativity of the world, what cultural influences has your country had on your music?

S. I've met people from all corners of the world in Miami and I've enjoyed so much performing my songs for them .Getting to learn about other people's cultures is what keeps life interesting. For sure these things have inspired me and my music.

3. What inspires you when you write a song?

S. I could be inspired by anything to write a song. From a photograph to something I see when I'm out or traveling. I love watching people. My imagination loves to make stories of how their lives might be or how they're feeling although they are just a stranger passing by.

4. What are your future ambitions/hopes musically that you would like to achieve into the future?

S. I loved performing songs from new album “Again” in cities such as Buenos Aires (Argentina), New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Berlin and Valencia (Spain) among others. These experiences gave me a taste of what I’d like to keep doing in the future. There is no better feeling than going to a new city and noticing that someone in the audience knows the lyrics to one of songs. Priceless!

5. Where do you hail from, what country and are there any other singers in your family?

S. I am proud to have been born and bred in Ireland; a country rich in artistic culture. I have gotten my poetic side from my Irish Mum and the music from my Indian Dad who is a blues guitarist and singer. Performing with the family band (Including my brother on the keys) was invaluable practice and experience.


At the age of 18 Sarah and her family moved to Spain where she performed regularly in bars and nightclubs in the family band. She was discovered and brought to Miami by Jon Secada and was taken under his wing. Sarah's previous albums are "One for two" (2012) and "Dream" (2013). Sarah plays regularly in the Miami music scene, will soon be doing her first US tour, and is currently finishing her European promo tour for 2015 supporting her new album “AGAIN. Produced by Tim Mitchell and Martin Chan it features an election of 10 songs that chronicle her musical journey where she experiments with reggae, rock, pop, funk, alternative and ballads. Packiam’s vocals, style and composition show her musical maturity that has taken place throughout the years, especially in this song that she chose as one of her own personal favorites called Tomorrow.

I am truly going to monitor this young ladies progress over the coming months and make sure that I keep my ear to the ground for any future developments. Sarah’s music is authentic and realistic and her latest Alum is evidence of how confident a composer and artist she has grown into. This latest Album offers you the listener plenty of tunes that is deliciously compelling, because the instrumental lines are well put together in those slower tracks and the melodies are infectious and entertaining in the rest. Sarah’s own distinctive voice and flair to write outrageously amazing tunes in equal measure has cemented her future within the music industry. So much so, that no doubt I will hear my boss Freya saying to me, “What a find she was Lorcan, for she has just won another musical award.” One of many that I am certain she will repeatedly collect during the course of her successful career.

PRESS RELEASE

May 18, 2015 – Sarah Packiam’s much anticipated third studio album is titled “Again” and was officially released worldwide today.

Irish singer, songwriter, guitarist Sarah Packiam’s new album “Again” was produced by Tim Mitchell and Marthin Chan and features a election of 10 songs that chronicle her musical journey where she experiments with reggae, rock, pop, funk, alternative and ballads. Packiam’s vocals, style and composition show her musical maturity throughout the years.

About the album title Packiam quotes: “AGAIN says the kid on the swing the first time he tries it. That’s the way I feel every time I write a new song”

The first single from this album was “Silly Little Love Songs” who was described by Paul Reynolds as “... a positively euphoric experience. That chorus is just delightful, sparkling like sunshine dancing off the lake on a bright summer day...”; while the second single, “Messed Up” is a strong power pop/rock song. Videos for both songs are available on her website and on YouTube. Now that the full album is out she will let her fans pick the third single from a variety of sounds and moods.

With the release of “Again”, Sarah is packing up her guitar and heading out to promote it in the US and Europe during the months of May and June.

For more information please visit www.sarahpackiam.com

At the age of 18 Sarah and her family moved to Spain where she performed regularly in bars and nightclubs in the family band. She was discovered and brought to Miami by Jon Secada and was taken under his wing. Sarah's previous albums are "One for two" (2012) and "Dream" (2013). Sarah plays regularly in the Miami music scene and will be doing her first US and European promo tour in May/June 2015 supporting her new album “AGAIN” - TTW

Well this is bloody lovely isn't it? I do adore one of those days where a song you haven't heard before comes out of the blue and is instantly your newest musical obsession. Today and for probably the forseeable future that song is Silly Little Love Songs by amazing Irish singer Sarah Packiam. From what I can gather I'm a little bit late to the Sarah Packiam party but hopefully she'll forgive me for being tardy (and it gives me an opportunity to luxuriate in discovering her back catalogue - always a joy when discovering an established artist for the first time). Sarah has the type of voice that hooks you from the first time you hear it, a beautifully engaging pop styled vocal that's both expressive and mesmerising all at once. This is perfectly demonstrated on her current single Silly Little Love Songs - a mellifluous piece of music that is as uplifting as it is charming. It's about how true love can strike at the most unexpected times, changing your perceptions on any cynicism you may have had ("now all the silly little pretty little love songs can play"). Along with co-writer Tim Mitchell, Sarah conjures up this striking emotional imagery of the edifying nature of romance and it's a positively euphoric experience. That chorus is just delightful, sparkling like sunshine dancing off the lake on a bright summer day. An absolute winner of a song - refreshingly different from the vocoder dance domination in the charts, instead just relying on good old fashioned memorable melody and exquisite songwriting structure. Bravo :) Can't wait for what comes next...

Posted 16th January by Paul Reynolds
Labels: sarah packiam - MyFizzyPop

Sarah Packiam's Sweet Sounds
By Liz Tracy

Sarah Packiam is an Irish-Indian siren with striking green eyes and an even more alerting and powerful voice. Raised south of Dublin near another Irish crooner Bono, she left her homeland at 18 and spent time in Holland and Spain. For the past three years, she’s played mandolin, guitar, and piano and sung original and cover songs with additional instrumental backing by Andy Russell and Gary Thomas. Wednesday night at Le Cafe, though, Packiam took to the wobbly mic alone for Unplugged Sessions, hosted by Open Media Miami and Black Key Group. The intimate, chilled out, and friendly night featured other local artists like Jesse Jackson and Jill Hartmann.
Packiam and her crew have a regular night at Balans on Brickell every other Thursday, the next up is Sept. 15. The pretty songstress spoke with Niteside about The Carpenters, Jon Secada, and her first song “Homeless Teenage Girl.”
How’d you meet your band mates?
When I first came to Miami, I was working with Jon Secada and Tim Mitchell. We were in Emilio Estefan’s studio then, doing demos. And he (Andy) came in with the tablas and he was blended already the Indian sense.
How did you get the gig with Jon Secada?
He was producing new artists. I was in Spain working with a producer at the time and he sent a demo and Jon really liked it and produced me.
They brought you over here and you stayed?
I haven’t left. Should I? (Laughs)
Nah. What’s the thing that’s most kept you here in Miami?
I think the international aspect, having friends from everywhere.
When did you first pick up a guitar?
My dad plays blues and jazz so he taught me at 11 or 12, it was a bit early, my fingers are tiny and he had a big guitar. I tried and then I stopped. I think I officially took it up again when I was 13 and I right away started writing songs. The song I wrote at 13 represented my country.
What was it called?
It was really depressing. It was called “Homeless Teenage Girl.” It ended up representing Ireland in a European song contest for young people. People would come up to me and be like, oh, I cried. They knew all the lyrics. It was a super sad story of a homeless girl getting pregnant, dying, the baby dying, the whole drama.
That’s how you feel when you’re a teenager.
What it is?
The hormones, the zits? What was your favorite stuff to listen to when you were growing up?
I think my first memory is writing down lyrics of the Carpenters, the whole album, writing down the lyrics and trying to sing along. Then Weather Report.
Is there any one subject you’ve written about the most?
Apart from the homeless teenaged girls lying on the street? (Laughs) I used to try to save the world with my songs but now it’s kind of love and being in love. I admire my parents because they were in love, and they had no money and they brought us kids up and we kind of turned out OK. Looking back at that, I’m inspired by that. Positiveness even though everyone’s feeling a bit of a pinch in the pocket. It’s nice to have some happiness around to remind us that there’s good stuff out there.
I did write that song about my brother (who got beat up by cops). That was really traumatic, and I guess writing is my way of getting over the trauma and getting it out. Sometimes beautiful things come out of it. It’s not necessarily super cheery but it’s something I remember and I keep with me for that moment.
Do you enjoy any books or movies in particular?
I like watching old TMC movies, the black and whites, and there’s some beautiful writing in those movies. “Careless” I wrote from some guy saying that we’re all in this world doing something whether we’re robbers or being robbed or sellers or buyers. I get inspired by old movies.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Miami?
Happy hour, I’m Irish! - NBC Miami / Miami Herald

Let’s address the obvious right up front: Sarah Packiam‘s stunningly beautiful. Her mix of Irish and Indian genes have blessed her with the kind of beauty that draws stares from across the room, stops traffic on the Champs-Élysées and prompts unrequited lovers to consider a lifetime in a hermitage. But is she just another pretty face behind a fancy guitar or can she really sing a song?
Based on the evidence — cuts from her EP and reports from the field — Sarah Packiam backs up her beauty with prodigious talent. And why wouldn’t she? Packiam is the daughter of a musically-minded Irish Mom and a well-traveled Indian Dad who, himself, is a professional musician.

From the very start of her life in music — which began prodigiously young — Packiam has sought to integrate the sounds of her legacy — Irish string instruments, Indian drums — into the sound of her music. It was the case when she began traveling and performing with her Dad as a 13-year old, when she began winning songwriting contests as a 15-year old and remains the case today as she lives and works in Miami, honing her every-flowering craft.

One of our favorite cuts from Sarah’s debut EP, recorded at Cutting Cane Studios in Miami and produced by Grammy Award-winning producers Tim Mitchell (Shakira), George Noriega (Ricky Martin) and Jodi Marr (Mika), is “You’re A Star.”

According to our peeps on the street, Sarah introduces this as having been inspired by a heckler who laid it on heavy during a performance in Ireland. But, it could just as well describe what’s it’s like being a beautiful young lady in the 21st century, fending off the less than debonair men of the world.

In the mix: roll “You’re A Star” after Madonna‘s “True Blue” into Johnny Nash‘s “Stir It Up” (or, if you’re feeling really crazy, Musical Youth‘s “Pass The Dutchie.”) - michaelverity.com

Sarah Packiam sings that “You’re A Star,” but, from what we can tell, this prodigious young lady is the one who’s on her way to stardom.

Born and raised in Ireland by her Irish Mom and her Indian Dad (who, himself, is a traveling musician), Sarah Packiam began integrating the instruments of her legacy into her music from an early age. Underpinning the breezy pop songs she’s been writing since she was 12 are mandolins, traditional irish instruments and tablas, all giving a worldwide vibe to her charming pop music.

With a second place finish in a European songwriting contest, experience playing in her Dad’s band and nightclub performances in Ireland and Spain under her belt by the time she reached 18, Packiam decamped for Miami where she tracked her debut EP with the help of producers Tim Mitchell, George Noriega and Jodi Marr.

From that set comes our Free MP3 of the Day, “You’re A Star,” a bouncy little pop record that cuts to the chase about what it’s all about to be forging yourself a career in the spotlight of the nightclub stage. File it along with No Doubt, Madonna and your favorite pop reggae records. - MP3.com

Sarah Packiam sings that “You’re A Star,” but, from what we can tell, this prodigious young lady is the one who’s on her way to stardom.

Born and raised in Ireland by her Irish Mom and her Indian Dad (who, himself, is a traveling musician), Sarah Packiam began integrating the instruments of her legacy into her music from an early age. Underpinning the breezy pop songs she’s been writing since she was 12 are mandolins, traditional irish instruments and tablas, all giving a worldwide vibe to her charming pop music.

With a second place finish in a European songwriting contest, experience playing in her Dad’s band and nightclub performances in Ireland and Spain under her belt by the time she reached 18, Packiam decamped for Miami where she tracked her debut EP with the help of producers Tim Mitchell, George Noriega and Jodi Marr.

From that set comes our Free MP3 of the Day, “You’re A Star,” a bouncy little pop record that cuts to the chase about what it’s all about to be forging yourself a career in the spotlight of the nightclub stage. File it along with No Doubt, Madonna and your favorite pop reggae records. - MP3.com

soulful….like a long deep exhale. - Gwen Rae

Sarah Packiam: Another great (but unheralded) event on Clematis!
So I went downtown to see the Rod Stewart tribute at the Meyer Amphitheater (parked at the Banyan street garage — free on Sunday) , and I hear this great sounding voice coming from the vicinity of the Palm on the waterfront of West Palm. I sidelined my plans to grab a burger, and headed towards the intercoastal. Sarah Packiam, who played at Sunfest this year, was playing a gig for Ford with her trio just east of the fountain, and sounded great — at least, for the two songs I heard her. She is easily the best up-and-coming female vocalist in South Florida, and I would have loved to listen to her full performance, but this one slipped by on us. It obviously snuck up on everyone else, because it was only sparsely attended (and once you hear the attached video, you’ll hear how great she is, and what a shame it was that more people weren’t there listening).

That’s the reason we started DoWestPalm.com, to find these gems and make sure they are publicized; as we continue to ramp up this website, we’ll be canvassing every source we can to ensure that top-tier music performances like Sarah’s get some publicity… take the opportunity if you get a chance to hear her; her web site is www.SarahPackiam.com… - DoWestPalm.com

easily the best up-and-coming female vocalist in South Florida

- DoWestPalm.com

...alerting and powerful voice. - NBC Miami Niteside

With the crowd on hand, some sitting, others nested middle, standing, leaning, beer in hand or well watchful eyes, Sarah Packiam comes into play. Irish, Indian father and is now established in Florida, has performed in Sofar Sounds Miami and Ecuador. With three albums released was Again, 2015, the disk more evidence in their setlist. It began by saying that, being Irish, would drink whiskey over their actions, so that we were not prudes, and also because he was coughing. No one found incorrect on your part. She opened the session with "Big World", in which the chorus "we'll never be the young we are today the" resonated with some vocal likeness of female voices of very different waves, like Gwen Stefani, Dillon, Sarah Bareilles and yet, in some intentions, mixed between music and lyrics, Lana del Rey, perhaps the attitude of the performance. This was followed by "I Loved You First" and "Again", homonymous band's latest album, and her favorite of the work.
With acoustic arrangements, as is tradition Sofar Sounds, Sarah found only with their strings, as opposed to the studio version of the tracks you know other sounds. Lively, and telling us that it was not on purpose that sang mostly sad songs, presented in a peculiar version of one of the songs most sung by various professionals and amateurs: the "Creep" by Radiohead. Of course, the audience followed her, timidly at first, but with more force to the endnotes. They were also included "I Miss You", another single her, and asked, with a sweet voice and he did not anticipate these requests, if not arranjavam you more whiskey. Between laughter confessed us that being hoarse, singing songs to guitar before a beautiful audience in Lisbon, felt like a rock star. She was not denied him that right, quite the opposite.

Each new song hummed, Sarah contextually introduced the composition of the range. This allowed that knew better or that those not familiar with their discography, stay with more information and details, which always worked perfectly. He finished with "Messed up" with an endless grab the tangier the ropes, where the sound was designed as a missile, still leaving room for his vocal ostentation, now well packaged by the spirit and the various acoustic layers of the division of floor wood and extremely attentive spectators. - Tracker Magazine (English google Translation)