Sabrina Fuentes is perhaps the coolest girl around. Newly signed to Dirty Hit, the singer, songwriter and bassist for the New York band Pretty Sick, is, well, pretty sick. Creating 90s inspired indie rock songs showcased on her new EP Deep Divine, Sabrina is unapologetically herself, and her collection of grunge-influenced riot grrrl-esque tracks help her to express thoughts on being a woman in the industry, growing up in the music scene and musing on the importance of being yourself.
As well as making music, Sabrina models, and attends university in London where she studies music. Having been signed to an agency when she was younger, Sabrina’s modelling work has been featured in a Vogue video, shoots for Stussy and the iPhone X’s international selfie series, as well as being profiled in The Cut and i-D. On top of that, her music has recently been featured on Spotify’s Lo-Fi Indie and Fresh Finds as well as the new Our Generation Playlist.
Despite being in creative industries for nearly all of her life, 20-year-old Sabrina is only really getting started. Her band pushes the boundaries of rock and the group’s music is reflective of the city Sabrina grew up in. Chaotic, colourful and the soundtrack to teenage angst with an edge of maturity, Pretty Sick is unstoppable, and Sabrina is indie’s new It Girl everyone is in awe of.
Sheesh Magazine chatted with Sabrina Fuentes about her musical inspirations and intentions, being a woman in the music industry, growing up in the city, and more.
Q: How did you start out with music and where has it led you now?
SABRINA FUENTES: I’ve been writing music my whole life. I started playing shows when I was 12 at open mics all over New York, then I started a band with my friends Ella and Eva and we played throughout highschool. When they graduated before me and moved away, I kept writing and eventually started playing with my friends Wade, Austin, and Orazio who make up Pretty Sick. I now live between NYC and London, where I study music.
Q: How does music impact your life on a daily basis?
SABRINA FUENTES: I write music and I listen to music every day. For me, the purpose of the music I make is therapeutic and cathartic, it’s like the best way for me to organize my thoughts. But I put it out because I think that if even one person listens to it and has a good time, or is reminded of a better time, or inspired, or able to heal to it, or learn from it, or made happier by it, then why not put it out. There was a brief period of time where I was thinking I may not put out music ever again, but my best friend Manon convinced me not to stop. I know she likes our music and is moved by it in some way so I’ll keep putting it out, in case there’s anyone else like her out there.
Q: How would you describe the music scene in both London and New York?
SABRINA FUENTES: I was born and raised in New York, so naturally it impacts my music a lot. The music scene there is a lot smaller than in London, but there are so many cool bands coming out right now like Harry Teardrop and Hello Mary. I’ve really loved living and playing in London over the past two years though. There are so many people who care about music and shows and being involved in any way they can. It’s really uplifting to be around. ‘Allen Street’ is a good example of how New York has influenced my music as the city is the primary subject of the song. I write a lot about NYC but I’m slowly but surely shifting to writing about London as well.
Q: What were your intentions with and inspirations behind your EP ‘Deep Divine’?
SABRINA FUENTES: The songs on ‘Deep Divine’ were written over almost 7 years. I chose the songs I liked best from those years. I wanted songs that worked well as an introduction or a strong foot forward. I guess I just wanted to show people what Pretty Sick is all about. I’m proud of all of the hard work that Orazio, Austin, Wade, and I put into it.
Q: What are you doing to stay creative during 2020?
SABRINA FUENTES: I’m randomly not having a hard time being creative. I write best when I’m forced to hermit. I’ve been drinking a lot to stay sane which is probably not a great idea.
Q: What music have you been listening to recently?
SABRINA FUENTES: Aside from the NYC bands I mentioned before, I’ve been listening to The Magnetic Fields, Simon and Garfunkel (lol), Atari Teenage Riot, The Smashing Pumpkins, Pulp, Takako Minekawa, and more.
Q: How was it growing up in the music industry?
SABRINA FUENTES: It was interesting for sure. The music industry didn’t really show any interest in us until recently, but the fashion industry did. I felt supported by the community we found for a while, but I think because things move really fast in fashion, in some ways it began to feel like me and my music were just an accessory to something else, and that some people didn’t really care too much about the music. After that, we started playing shows with Onyx Collective and others who made me feel really welcomed and understood as a musician. Everyone who’s supported me and the band is still family forever, just in different contexts and scenes and stuff, I guess.
Q: How does it feel to be a woman making music?
SABRINA FUENTES: I’ve definitely faced a fair amount of sexist and prejudiced comments but it doesn’t bother me at all. It kinda fuels me in a dumb silly way. Haters r my motivaterz. I don’t feel underrepresented as a girl, but that’s mostly because I spend so much time listening to and celebrating female musicians.
Q: Who are your top favorite female artists and girls with guitars?
SABRINA FUENTES: Some of the girl rockers I’ve been listening to most lately are Mannequin Pussy, Starcrawler, Computerwife, Simone Istwa, Shitkid, Hello Mary, Starcrawler, Surfbort, Goat Girl and Paddywack. I’d make a list of all of my all time fave girl rockers but I think it’d be too long.
Keep up with Sabrina Fuentes on Instagram so you never miss a release.
Check out other up-and-coming artists like Ella Jane and Public Library Commute.
