Chicago native Sabine Sauvage is not just any 17-year-old singer—she’s a musical prodigy on the brink of stardom. Her passion for music ignited almost before she could speak. She joyfully pounded on tiny instruments in Wiggleworms classes at Chicago’s renowned Old Town School of Music—a playful beginning that hinted at the artistic force she would eventually become.
At 12 years old, Sabine released her debut album, Wild Dreamin’, an evocative collection of original songs she crafted and honed over two transformative years at Mitran Music Studio. The album also features My Delirium, a cover of the electrifying Ladyhawke hit, showcasing Sabine’s ability to breathe new life into beloved tracks while making them uniquely her own. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of artists across genres, including Ariana Grande, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, and Ghost, Sabine’s music resonates with a vibrant mosaic of influences. Her transformative journey as a soprano in the Chicago Children’s Choir further enriched her artistry, allowing her to explore international music, delve into classical voice, and polish her performance skills to perfection.
With her latest single, Hide and Seek, out now, Sabine is ready to unveil an exciting new chapter in her musical evolution. This track, accompanied by a breathtaking music video filmed in Nashville, showcases a more mature sound while retaining her pop roots. She’s an artist who is not afraid to experiment, seamlessly blending rock elements into her work to create a fresh, unique style that is unmistakably her own.
Even as her star continues its momentous rise within the industry, Sabine maintains a grounded lifestyle as a high school junior at a Catholic private school. She embraces the thrill of life outside music, enjoying activities like bowling, skiing, and volleyball and cherishing family travels that provide balance in her whirlwind life.
Looking to the future, Sabine harbors dreams of embarking on a world tour and hopes to one day collaborate with her idol, Ariana Grande. She yearns to earn recognition as a trailblazing artist who pushes boundaries and inspires others to embrace their own musical passions. With her vibrant charisma, extraordinary talent, and unwavering dedication, the journey of Sabine Sauvage is just beginning. Fans and audiences eagerly await her musical story’s next thrilling chapter!
1. Sabine welcome to OLC! Your new single, Hide and Seek, drops on March 7th! What inspired the song, and what message do you hope listeners take away from it?
Hide and Seek” is very different from any of my previous works. I feel that it marks a new chapter of my life, feeding from independence and confidence. The new sound and style of music in this song was very eye-opening to me and it allowed me to become the artist I truly had meant to be. For inspiration when creating this song, I knew I wanted the single to be mature and playful. I wanted it to be something with a catchy riff and for the lyrics to be taken in a spirited way. When listeners hear this song, I hope the message they take away from it is that it’s necessary to have times in your life where you can take a moment to have fun and be playful. Sometimes when I’m stressed, I like to listen to upbeat music and it allows me to calm down and clear my mind. I hope my listeners can do the same with “Hide and Seek.”
2. The music video for Hide and Seek was filmed in Nashville—can you share some behind-the-scenes stories from the shoot?
Where do I even start! The experience of making the music video was so amusing and unique to me. It was amazing being able to try out a bunch of hairstyles, outfits, and makeup looks in the different rooms of the house. Also, I loved how dedicated the team was to get the scene just perfect and fit for the video. The most memorable story during the shoot was when I started to feel myself open up and become more confident when filming. That was a very new experience for me and It made me so extremely proud and excited for what is to come for me as an artist in the future.
3. At just 12 years old, you released your debut album, Wild Dreamin’. How has your sound evolved since then?
Looking back I feel that I have changed immensely. My voice, my look, and my confidence levels are so different now than they were before. I’m so thankful that I have found my voice and that I have been able to figure out who I truly wanna be as an artist. My first album is still a very special starting point for my journey because it introduced me to these new experiences, which helped me when I began writing and singing “Hide and Seek.” In addition, my tone, vocal agility, and musical knowledge has increased so much compared to when I was first getting started.
4. You have such a unique blend of influences, from Ariana Grande to Ghost. How do these artists shape your music and artistic vision?
I have a wide range of influences and these artists have helped to shape my sound and creative approach in many ways. For example, Ariana Grande’s powerful vocals and riffs inspired me to focus on my vocal technique as well as my vocal agility. This has helped me when recording music because it pushes me to create a dynamic sound with creative runs and adlibs. Along with pop music, I have always loved rock music. These rock artists, such as Ghost, have helped to bring a more unique sense to the artist I am. I love the edginess aspect rock bands have and I am always eager to incorporate those elements into my music and looks.
5. You were a soprano in the Chicago Children’s Choir. How did that experience influence your vocal style and approach to music?
Being part of the Chicago Children’s Choir has given me a strong foundation in classical training, teaching me the importance of vocal technique, harmony, and expression. This exposure to this kind of music has helped to expand my musical range, introducing me to diverse rhythms, scales, and styles from different cultures. I am proud to be shaped by this deeper understanding of musical structure because it has allowed me to experiment with unique sounds.
6. Balancing high school and a rising music career must be a challenge. How do you manage both while staying grounded?
Balancing high school and music has definitely been tricky, but I have been doing a pretty good job. Staying organized and prioritizing what matters most helps to keep me in check and motivated. Also, my time management skills have gotten much better, and having a good schedule allows me to dedicate time to both schoolwork and music without feeling overwhelmed. In addition, music is my passion so when I feel stressed, I like to turn to it to calm me down. I see music as a hobby rather than a task like school work, so it’s nice to have something I genuinely enjoy and feel passionate about.
7. Your passion for music started as a toddler at Chicago’s Old Town School of Music. Do you remember any early moments when you realized you wanted to pursue music professionally?
Ever since I was little I have always remembered belting out and blasting music in the car with my parents. Ever since then, I think my parents got a pretty good idea that I had a passion for music. Once they began putting me in voice lessons and multiple music programs, my voice developed and became much better. After discovering I had improved my voice, I started experimenting with writing my own music and that is when I knew I wanted to pursue music professionally.
8. You’ve been in the industry from a young age. What has been the most surprising or eye-opening part of your journey so far?
One of the most surprising and eye-opening parts of my journey has been realizing just how much work and determination goes on behind the scenes. From songwriting and production to promoting and networking, there’s so much more to the industry than just making music. I’ve also learned how important it is to stay true to yourself while having to deal with the pressures and expectations that come with being in the industry. The support from my family and the connections I’ve made along the way have really helped me to stay grounded, and it’s been amazing to see how music can unite people.
9. You dream of collaborating with Ariana Grande. If you had the chance, what kind of song would you want to create together?
If I had the chance to collaborate with Ariana Grande I would definitely want to create a bold iconic pop anthem. A song that represents confidence and fearlessness, as well as a catchy riff or chorus, making it unforgettable. Lastly, I would love it to be a song that people can easily dance or vibe with.
10. Your music blends pop and rock elements. Do you see yourself experimenting with other genres in the future?
I definitely can see myself experimenting with other genres in the future. I have a very diverse music taste and I would really enjoy implementing some of those specific features into my own music. For example, either an electric guitar like a rock song or techno beats for a song more like EDM/house.
11. Beyond music, you enjoy skiing, bowling, and volleyball. How do these activities help you unwind from your busy schedule?
Engaging in activities like skiing, bowling, and volleyball helps me to provide a better balance between work and fun. Skiing has always been a joy to me ever since I was young, bowling is a laid-back way to have fun with friends and family, and volleyball helps to keep me active. These activities not only give me a mental break but also help me stay energized, allowing me to return to music with a clear and relaxed mind.
12. If you could open for any artist on a world tour right now, who would it be and why?
If I could open for any artist on a world tour I would have to say Tate McRae. Her ability to blend emotion with infectious pop beats is something I really admire. Also, she’s such an incredible performer, balancing vocals with her choreography, and her music resonates with a lot of people. Opening for her would be an amazing opportunity because I also think I would be able to easily relate with her because we both started our musical careers at such young ages. She seems so genuine, honest, and sincere and she would be able to give me good advice.
13. What’s next for you after Hide and Seek? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you can tease?
After “Hide and Seek” a lot of new things will be coming in the future. Some interesting projects that I am working on right now are a lot of brand new music pieces and I’m also working on social media videos for the promotion of “Hide and Seek” coming out soon.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neill_frazer
