We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sabah Suzie Merheb a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sabah Suzie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I’m a Music Journalist who has now released my first-ever track! Music has always been my life since I was three years old. I always wanted to be an artist/singer. I sang in school and had a band when I was younger, I wrote loads of songs and even recorded a few, but never put anything out there. Being an ethnic female growing up in western Sydney, I was constantly told I’d never make it and that discouraged me a lot. I didn’t believe in myself enough to drown out the negativity. After high school, I did a double major in Music and media communications and journalism. Journalism and being a music TV host were always my backup if making music didn’t work. A few months ago, I decided it was now or never. I hit the studios and am now releasing my first track!!!!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
While In University, I worked for MTV as a production assistant and then worked for Universal Music in A&R. During my time at MTV, the executive producer told me I needed to start my own show as I was the one writing the scripts for the shows and interview questions for the presenters. I was also editing the on air content for the MTV. After I graduated from university with my double major, I launched my own channel called Gin & Juice TV and the rest is history.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I’m an independent artist and fully self-funded. A lot of people would get discouraged from doing what I do due to financial constraints. I find that if I focus on what I don’t have, then I’ll always not have enough to fund my goals and dreams. I never worry about how my desires could impact me financially. I just do. Money comes and goes, but moments and memories last forever.
My music video was EXTREMELY stressful, not going to lie. I wanted to give up so many times I felt I was in over my head and kept telling myself, “What am I doing?”
I had one week to pull off a music video, and I was in such a short time frame to finish everything. In one week, I was the artist, the director, the production manager, the casting director, and the set stylist. I sewed my outfit together and did craft services. I had almost every title there could be on a music video. I did everything myself, and I don’t have a manager or label assistance. I hired a cameraman, a gaffer, an assistant, a band, all the props on set, the studio, lunch and dinner for cast and crew and hired extras. I swear I couldn’t wait for the day to be over.
Overall, It was such a fantastic shoot. I had a blast, and everything ran smoothly. The outcome was everything I wanted and more! All that stressing was for nothing! I can’t thank everyone enough for those who showed up and helped make my video and vision come to life! Thank you to my band, who played as if we were in a real band, and thank you to the cameraman I hired who had so much patience with me and delivered to my expectations.
I’m so proud of myself for putting it all together, but for the next music video, I’m definitely hiring a production assistant!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My track is a punk cover of Nicki Minaj’s Song “Last Time I Saw You”. I’ve entirely stripped apart and rearranged the track, making it my own, but of course, they are Nicki’s lyrics, so she is credited on the track and will receive royalties from the song. NO ONE has ever covered any Nicki songs in a different genre, so I’m the FIRST EVER to do so! I would love for her to hear this track And get this into her ears. Good Charlotte was my first inspiration growing up, and I felt like this song perfectly encapsulates my love for Good Charlotte and Nicki Minaj, meshing the two together. Thank you to Nicki and her label for clearing the music to allow me to give the world a long-awaited “Pop Goes Punk” cover.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.ginandjuicetv.com
- Instagram: Suziestarbow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamsabahmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmSabah
- Other: https://youtube.com/@Ginandjuicetv_?si=D3e5XnEvglUoHLOh