Beth Sarah
Meet Worthing-born UK Open Mic performer Beth Sarah:
Hi Beth Sarah, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:
Do you play solo only, or also in a group?
Solo
How old are you?
43
Where were you born?
Worthing
Where did you grow up?
Worthing
How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)
The place itself hasn’t really influenced my music; more my experiences.
Where are you based now, and why?
Worthing – loved in the same town my whole life, no plans to leave.
What got you into making music in the first place?
My Dad is a church worship leader. I learnt guitar by copying him and then started writing my own songs at 14.
What instrument/s do you play?
Singing
Piano
Piano
Guitar
Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?
Joni Mitchell – for her clever lyrics and storytelling in song.
KT Tunstall – for being a badass woman and rocking the music scene for many years (my main muse).
Si Connelly – top notch song-writing and a voice to die for.
Do you write your own songs?
Yes
How many years have you been writing songs for?
30
What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?
I don’t really have a specific process. Songs just tend to spill out of me when I’m least expecting it.
How long have you been playing open mic nights?
25
Why did you get into playing them in the first place?
To be like my Dad.
What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?
Don’t worry about what other people are thinking. Do it for you, to build your confidence and to enjoy it.
What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?
Deciding which songs to play!
What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?
A gig with my band at The Dublin Castle. There were train strikes so no-one could travel to watch us, the sound engineer didn’t show up so they had to call in a last minute replacement, by which time one of the bands had given up and gone home. Played to about seven people and then couldn’t find anywhere to eat on the way home.
If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?
Yes
What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?
Finances.
What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?
I can fix iPad screens.
What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?
Compiling my back catalogue of demos into an album for release next year called Factory Reset.
Do you have your own music video, channel or playlist you’d like to share?
Do you have music on streaming? What’s you main streaming channel to send people to?
Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?
We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?
No thanks!