This week, Type One discussed all things music with Sarah Gale. The senior at Pine Crest has been singing since as long as she remembers, along with writing songs and playing the guitar.  Sarah’s wide variety of musical talent has opened many doors for her and helped her learn important life lessons. Sarah opens up to Type One about her experiences, inspirations, and much more.

T1: How old were you when you started singing and playing guitar?

Sarah: I started singing when I came out of the womb. I started playing guitar in 8^th grade.

T1: What’s your favorite genre of music? Why?

Sarah: I listen to all kinds of music: Spanish, rap, pop music, etc. But my favorite is pop. I think I like it so much because when I wrote my first song it was a pop song.

T1: Who’s your favorite musician?

Sarah: Ed Sheeran is my favorite musician because he’s innovative. Everything he does is original. He writes his own stuff, he doesn’t listen to any record label or brand… he goes with his heart.

T1: What influenced your song, “We Can?”

Sarah: “We Can” is the name of this original song. It’s supposed to be about Colombia and show everyone the vibe you get from the country, the nightlife, the cultural influences.

T1: Why do you enjoy singing? What’s your favorite thing about it?

Sarah: It just makes me happy. I sing songs for other people, and it just makes me feel good. Singing helps me connect with other people and their emotions. It also helps me heighten my own emotions.

T1: What is your favorite memory?

Sarah: The first “Playing for Change” concert. I was a freshman and I didn’t know too many people. Being able to perform and do something different was new to me. I got to show my style in front of a lot of people. Getting a good response reinforced my passion. Another good memory was when I did a singer songwriting camp – Interlochen. It was very influential for me. I was around people from all over the world and we all shared the same passion.

T1: What is your favorite quote?

Sarah: “Be a true heart not a follower” – Ed Sheeran. I think it’s important in the music world to be a true heart. I think it’s important to exemplify who you are even though people will tell you all these regulations. Ed Sheeran disregarded everything people said to him and did what his heart wanted, and it worked for him. Be a true heart is to stay true to who you are. I believe that succeeding when being true to you is way more valuable than succeeding any other way.

T1: What is some important knowledge you’ve gained from music?

Sarah: Music has helped me to connect with otherwise unlike people. I’ve been able to connect with people who have different ambitions, cultures, lifestyles, interests, etc. I’ve learned that music is the only bridge that connects people from all around the world who don’t speak same language.

T1: How will you use music for the rest of your high school/career?

Sarah: Right now I use it in everything I do. I use it for “Playing for Change”, which helps my community by donating the funds gained to a local pre-school. I use it in the classroom; I write songs for interactive projects. I won’t study it in school because I think that takes the fun out of it. I’ll probably join an acapella group or join a band in college. I think I’m just going to try to find other people who are interested in music as well, collaborate with them and see how it goes.

T1: Biggest challenge?

Sarah: Right now my biggest challenge is finding time to write music and to sing.

T1: Biggest accomplishment?

Sarah: A big accomplishment was getting into Interlochen. Otherwise, writing music in general that I like, or successfully writing songs is an accomplishment.

T1: How would you describe your creative process?

Sarah: My process is picking up the guitar, finding a good sequence of chords, thinking of a melody to put on top of that, and then adding the lyrics based on what the melody makes me feel.

T1: What are three words to describe yourself?

Sarah: Passionate, loyal, I don’t stray from my values. I’m very real…I don’t know the right word to use.

T1: What do you hope people will take away from your work?

Sarah: I hope people will see that I’m different from other artists. I hope they see I’m not copying anyone.