Check out our interview with talented UK based singer/songwriter, producer and DJ Sarah de Warren who has written for and featured on numerous tracks with major DJs such as Martin Jensen, Gareth Emery, Kaskade, Nicky Romero and performed at Ultra, EDC and Ministry of Sound.
Her releases have been all over ASOT, SiriusXM, BBC Radio One, and several top 10s on various charts, gathering +100M streams across her discography.
Follow Sarah @sarahdewarren
Hi Sarah, please describe yourself in 3 words?
Emotional, resilient, creative.
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
I had no idea how to get into the industry, so I just started messaging electronic producers on soundcloud and asking them to send me beats. Because I could write, sing, record and vocal produce already, I’d send back a super professional product and that’s how I landed my first cuts. One song led to another, I slowly started working my way up to bigger artists and bigger labels. I hustled at this for years but I loved the process, and I’m still hustling and loving the process!
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Melodic, euphoric, emotional.
Do you ever get nervous?
Yes, but I remind myself that I’m nervous because what I’m about to do is important to me. and the fact I’m about to do something that is important to me is awesome. I’d rather be nervous than bored.
Which artists and styles inspired and influenced you?
As a kid and teenager, I was obsessed with bands like Korn, System Of A Down, Placebo, Muse and I’m sure so much of their music influenced my writing. I have always been inspired by Dido’s songwriting – she is an absolute queen. started listening to Imogen Heap when I was a teenager and I remember her uniqueness and creative use of technology making a big impression on me.
When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?
I love beach volleyball so any time off that I get, I’m on the sand playing for as long as I can. I’m pretty competitive so it’s a great outlet for that side of myself ????
Best stage you have ever played?
I sung with Gareth Emery on the live stage at Ultra music festival in 2022 during the golden hour sunset. it was magical.
Funniest/Crazy thing that ever happened at an event?
I’m not ready for my funniest stories to be in the public realm, but something that happens pretty regularly is me not recognising famous people. I’ve had some really funny conversations where I am blissfully unaware who I am talking to.
What’s your favourite club or event to DJ in?
I love the energy at festivals.
Tell us about working with major DJs such as Martin Jensen, Gareth Emery, Kaskade, Nicky Romero? That’s amazing!
It’s always so excited working with DJs who are at the top of their game. Each situation is so unique and the writing process is varies hugely from one artist to another. Gareth is one of my favourite artists to work with because he’s a great writer himself, and we always get in the studio together and write from scratch.
Now tell us about your experience playing at ULTRA, EDC and Ministry of Sound?
Singing live at these events is always crazy, especially when the crowd sing your lyrics back at you. at EDC this year I heard so many of my songs played out and so many people knowing the words… it was completely surreal.
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
A fun thing is getting guestlist to pretty much any event you want 🙂 a rewarding part is watching your songs change peoples lives. the most frustrating part is constantly having to remind people the value of vocals and songwriting. the industry has a long way to go – labels and artists are constantly trying to squeeze vocalists/writers down to insanely unfair deals.
What’s your advice for the newer DJ’s / Producers?
Collaborate with other artists and creators. also many of us creators are perfectionists, but try and learn to override that and get stuff sent out and released, because it can be a huge blocker of progress.
What was the first record that you bought?
Toxicity – system of a down
What’s next for Sarah de Warren in the last months of 2023?
I’m going out to LA to write more for my own project and also focusing more on my live set so I can play shows next year. I’ll also be practising a lot for that! Come see me at a show 🙂
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
You work so hard. work smart instead.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
Idk about entrepreneur books, but every human should read Sapiens.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“Eat Pussy Not Animals” – it’s bold and a little cheeky and also hopefully makes you self-reflect. 🙂
How would your best friend describe you?
A good listener, easy to confide in, strong willed and sometimes a bit scary.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
My grandpa Sidney who died before I was born. from the stories I’ve heard about him, we’d have had so much in common, from engineering to music, to following your dreams.
Best advice ever given?
Don’t sign a publishing deal until you have lots of cuts, experience and leverage.
Name one your strengths?
Lyric writing.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Beach volleyball all day.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Waking up and doing something you’re passionate about every day. loving yourself even when others can’t. sometimes it’s sacrificing today’s happiness for tomorrow’s happiness.
Do you support any charity?
Yes i am a huge animal lover and vegan, so i donate to a couple of sanctuaries and charities that advocate for animal rights.
What is your favourite healthy food?
Avocado.
And your favourite cheat food?
Booja booja vegan ice cream.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
Someone that doesn’t think my pet chicken is the cutest thing ever.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
Playing major festivals and clubs for half the year, then escaping to my secluded home in the middle of nature (with lots of pet chickens) to write bangers for the other half.
How would you describe your fashion style?
Grunge fairy – I know it sounds mad but I love the contrast between my unicorn purple hair, paired with an all black vegan leather outfit, or ripped fishnet tights with lace up boots, or one of my dad’s oversized shirts as a dress. I think it shows both sides of my personality.
What do you think of Social Media?
It used to frustrate me because I just wanted to focus on making music, not content, but I’ve seen a super positive side of it this year. I created a bunch of content around my vocal sample on ‘be the one’ and they went super viral. My following has almost tripled in the last six months and there are literally thousands of people messaging me. It’s really incredible. I’m really loving making content right now, knowing that it the best tool an artist could dream of for promoting their music. I wish i’d embraced it sooner.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram: @sarahdewarren
TikTok: @sarahdewarrenmusic
Please share your favourite:
Quote: What is an ocean but a multitude of drops?
Movie: Cloud Atlas
Travel Destination: Norway
Sports Team: I dont watch sports, I just play them 🙂
