Sahra's Intimate Love Affair: How music has informed the Somali-British jazz singer's heart

Words by Amelia Fearon.

noun: intimacy

/ˈɪntɪməsi/

meaning: close familiarity

Sahra makes it no secret that she is an artist that lovingly takes pride in expressing her desire for intimacy. Intimacy is often a word that can cause misunderstanding, commonly placed solely in a romantic or sexual context. Sahra's lyricism articulates her commitment to intimacy in the moments we can take for granted, the 'snapshots' in time shared with friends, family and lovers. She expresses deep gratitude for the intricate details beneath the noise, such as the feeling of fingertips delicately placed on piano keys or the warm space between her and the stage. Everything with Sahra glows in the world that encompasses her.

She communicates her devotion to connection through music, almost as if it's intrinsic to the very blueprint of her work. Each melody and vocal on the Stolen Moments EP is elegantly curated and sewn together with love and playfulness. Azeema spoke with Sahra to uncover deeper where her love affair with music began.

Sahra describes her younger self as wide-eyed, absorbing her cultural heritage by listening to her father play traditional Somali music in the family household. She began consuming all that surrounded her on those cherished occasions, and her passion for music grew stronger. Now, aged 25 and an established jazz and R&B artist, Sahra reflects on the journey to becoming the woman she is today.

AZEEMA: Hey, Sahra. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Where does the EP Stolen Moments begin for you?

Sahra: The core of my writing is that I always write at the piano. The chords and the words come first, and that's how I tend to write. That's the root of everything for me—the relationship and intimacy between me and the piano.

The EP has R&B influence, but you're primarily a jazz musician and writer. Do you find yourself drawn by different genres? Is that something you explored in Stolen Moments?

I started writing the album in lockdown, and I usually collaborate with many people - so during this EP recording, without a live band, I had to learn to write with 808 drum samples and stuff like that. That's where I think the R&B influence comes through. I figured out a new sound and learned to write songs differently.

I've always liked so many contrasting kinds of music. It's in my nature as an artist, I think. I also don't feel the need to do something that has once defined me. I try with every song I write to work with a completely blank canvas and, most importantly, have fun. When I started the Stolen Moments EP, it emphasised production much more than my previous work. Still, honestly, a lot of that was like having fun in the studio and experiencing creative freedom. It came together so organically. It was only then that I was like, this could be like a body of work. And I could put it out.

The lyrics on the EP are beautifully heartfelt and, at times, very emotional. Do you think writing music is a cathartic process to get through whatever you're feeling at the time?

Oh, definitely. I sometimes find it annoying to write about heartbreak because many musicians write about it. But, when you're in that mindset and space, you find a new lens to look at everything. It is incredibly cathartic. Music helps you get through things, for sure. A lot of people experienced loss during the lockdown. Whether it be break-ups, jobs or loss of a loved one - it was a collective feeling.

That was particularly felt in the track, Try So Hard. Could you tell us more about that?

I like short phrases that describe something well. We'd been playing around with this song for a while, but I just hadn't got the hook, 'we shouldn't have to try so hard'. It summed the track perfectly when it came around, and it was the last song I wrote for the EP. It describes the relationship I was speaking about at the time. The lockdown period gave me the time I needed to realise there is so much more to life and to appreciate the things I love and have. I wrote that song so quickly, and I was never too sure of it - but interestingly, that's the song people always respond to the most when I perform it live.

How do you feel that cultural experiences, if any, have influenced your journey thus far?

I've always loved singing, and I think that is because it's part of my family dynamic. My granny sings, and my dad loves singing. I started playing classical violin when I was young but I fell in love with singing. The joy of singing surpassed the discipline needed to be a violinist!

My mum always encouraged me to be whatever I wanted, which was important. From there, I fell in love with black Jazz music and I received a scholarship at Trinity Laban in London when I was 18. It became a cultural hub of musicians and creative types; the South London jazz scene is incredible. I teach there a few days a week now.

Could you tell us more about your journey as a woman of colour in the Jazz scene? Do you think that your identity influences your music?

It hasn't directly influenced my music, but it's affected me - which influences my music - if that makes sense. My dad is Somali Muslim, and my mum is German; she actually used to be a vicar, and I never thought about it much as a child. As I've become older, I realise that despite my parent's cultural differences - there is so much beauty and connection in the similarities. My parents taught me that you can always find links with anyone. They taught me to respect people and spread love. I thrive in many spaces because I grew up in a mixed background of culture and diversity. I'm very thankful for that.

What does black identity mean for you?

I do feel like all the music I love is the music of black origin. It resonates with me much more because I grew up on black music. It was never British or German folk music; it was my dad playing Somali tapes. There was a lot of pentatonic music going on. My dad showed me the music of Cleveland Watkiss, an amazing Jamaican-British jazz singer who changed everything. Black culture is inherently part of who I am and my music. So much so, I don’t even think about it.

How did your EP launch at the Servant Jazz Quarters in London go?

Yeah - it was insane. I think I'm just like an old jazz-head at heart. I really am. So, for me, it's so fun when I get to play live. I think that's the best part; if honest, I feel that is where I come alive. I love playing with people. I love interacting musically with people and having those songs come to life. As I mentioned, they all started at the piano, but it's great to have my friends performing behind me. I love playing live. Connection is the best part of the music.

So, when is your next gig?

I'm performing at Madame Jazz, at Hootananny Brixton on Thursday 29th September. It's a great event which highlights women in Jazz music. I’m really looking forward to it.

Listen to Sahra's EP Stolen Moments here and follow her on social media: @sahra.offixial for updates of her latest gigs around London and in the U.K.