Q&A: Sabrina Sterling’s “Ramona” is Unapologetic When It Comes to Healing Parental Trauma
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY IVONA HOMICIANU ☆
THE NEW GENERATION OF SINGER-SONGWRITERS ISN’T AFRAID TO SHY AWAY FROM VULNERABILITY — and Sabrina Sterling adheres to that standard. At the age of 20, the California native is on her way to becoming a voice for the less heard. In her latest single “Ramona,” Sterling uses music to express what she would like to say to her father.
Sterling’s confessional lyricism is what draws listeners in. Her introspective songs go from childhood trauma and growing pains, to relationship issues and heartache. No matter the subject at hand, Sterling approaches it with a refreshing honesty and authenticity.
“Ramona” details an interaction the artist had with her dad at the age of thirteen, where she told him she would leave as soon as she turned eighteen. The artist reveals that she kept her promise, and that it was too little too late for apologies. The open approach to her difficult upbringing is therapeutic, breaking barriers that previous generations didn’t dare cross.
Although the track starts with piano and then adds strings in a laid back setting, Sterling’s vocals convey anger and sadness, a display of her range despite being at the start of her career. The production builds up through the bridge, where Sterling’s writing takes the front seat, showing she is in charge and she won’t back out of what makes the essence of her music.
Sabrina Sterling’s first EP titled Ramona comes out August 15. Luna talked to the artist about the project ahead of the release.
LUNA: Could you tell me more about your beginnings, and how you discovered that you wanted to pursue music?
STERLING: I accidentally got into making music. It was the pandemic, and I was super bored, and so I started feeling like I needed a hobby. I taught myself how to play guitar and I wrote my first song on the same day. I started posting it, and my close friends and family really liked it. So I was like, I could keep doing this. I made a Tiktok account that was like a secret account for me to post my originals, and three months later I had label offers.
LUNA: Last year you got to go on your first tour with Wasia Project. How was that experience?
STERLING: It was honestly really cool. I didn't know what to expect, and honestly, it was a lot of work. But for my first tour, it was great. I mean, Wasia Project, they're amazing. Their fans were so sweet and welcoming to me, but it was a little tough to tour for the first time, especially while I was sick.
LUNA: I can imagine. You've just released your single “Ramona,” congratulations! It obviously talks about a vulnerable part of your life. Were you scared to release it, or is it something that you've thought about for a long time?
STERLING: I knew I wanted to write about it at some point, but I feel like I just wasn't ready yet. One day, I wrote the song in my room by myself, and just didn't want to bring it to this studio for a really long time. Honestly, I was really scared. I remember talking about the concept for the song in the session to explain what we were making. I was like, well, I'm feeling scared and, like, sad. The first time I ever performed it, which was a week after we made the song, I was trying to explain what the song meant on stage in front of a bunch of industry people and I cried, which has never happened before. It was definitely really scary to share that.
LUNA: How has the response been since you've released it?
STERLING: I feel like it's mostly been good. It's a good feeling to see so many people say that they feel seen. I mean, it's never fun that they relate to it, but I'm glad that they have something that could help them, and it's good to spread awareness. But at the same time, I feel like there are people that don't really know the full story, and are kind of jumping to conclusions.
LUNA: If I'm not mistaken, the title refers to your hometown. How did you decide on the title?
STERLING: I was born in San Diego. I'm not sure if Ramona is technically part of San Diego, but my dad moved there and lives there now. Essentially the song is talking about how my dad is in Ramona, and he has no wife, and I don’t talk to him anymore, and his dog died. He's really alone, and I think he realizes that he doesn't want to be alone for the rest of his life. So I'm assuming that he's sorry because he keeps trying to reach out to us. Ramona just felt like a cool title, and it just stuck out to me.
LUNA: First seeing it, you'd imagine that it was about a girl named Ramona. Listening to it is very interesting, because it's a complete difference from what we expect; a good difference. You're also releasing your first EP by the same name this August. Could you tell me more about the process of writing it?
STERLING: I honestly didn't know it was going to be an EP. I have been in LA for two years now, and have just been making a million songs. Somehow we decided we were going to take the best of the best and put them in a little project. And the EP is just my origin story and about how I grew up and how I moved away from all of it.
LUNA: It must be cathartic to release all of that.
STERLING: No, for sure. I've been sitting on these songs for way too long.
LUNA: Where do you draw inspiration for your music production and your lyricism?
STERLING: I have my favorites that I love listening to, like Phoebe Bridgers and Clairo and Lizzie McAlpine. But for the production of the songs, I didn't really come in with a lot of references. I just wanted them to be somewhat stripped back and mostly organic, just whatever felt right.
LUNA: In the following months, is there something that you'd like to do, or do you have any plans when it comes to your music?
STERLING: Well, a lot is happening right now, but I think the plan, hopefully, is that I get on another tour so I can sing and perform this EP.
