LOCAL singer Sabrina McKiernan has recently released her second album and she’s found a great audience online.
‘I Am The Song’ is a collection of songs from the visually-impaired singer from the Mitchels area of town and TraleeToday.ie caught up with her to ask her about her love of music.
Sabrina has sung with Mary Black, Davey Arthur and the late Christy Hennessy down the years.
“I’ve sang with a few of them alright, and hopefully there will be a few more! Christy was brilliant, he was absolutely lovely. He had no airs or graces. Everybody was the same to him it didn’t matter,” she said.
Her first release was an album in aid of the Irish Guide Dogs Association called ‘I Can See Clearly Now’.
“Basically the concept behind it was, I’m in the darkness, but the dog is the light and I’m walking into the light being independent for myself,” she said.
“The Irish Guide Dogs are my way around Tralee. My dog Basil is my rock, along with my music,” she said.
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Her newest album ‘I Am The Song’ which was released this year was recorded in Ballinskelligs in Creation studios with engineer/producer Terry Gordon.
It features covers of well known hits such as, ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘What Colour is the Wind’ plus the title track which was written especially for Sabrina to sing.
“I love recording, I’d do it everyday if I could. I love the idea of getting up and being ready to sing, it’s something that makes me very happy,” she said.
Recently Sabrina worked as an equality officer with Kerry Educational Services and is currently looking for work.
“It’s a very rare condition I have. Basically my eyes didn’t form like everyone else’s. I’ve never grieved about it because I’ve never had sight,” said Sabrina.
“I don’t see it as an un-sighted or a sighted world, I think that it’s about everyone’s differences coming together, helping each other and building on each other’s strengths,” she added.
Music for Sabrina started at home listening to her father’s Country and Western records.
“My first record I actually owned was Joe Dolce’s – ‘Shaddap You Face’- you shouldn’t have asked me to delve into my music history!” Sabrina said.
“Then I was into Bryan Adams and I’m a big fan of Eurovision, though not as much now,” she said.
“Eva Cassidy is a big inspiration for me, along with Leona Lewis who is another artist who gives me goosebumps. There’s just loads of singers I love listening to,” she said.
Sabrina has had significant airplay locally and found an audience for her music on the internet.
“I’m getting a lot of interaction online. Americans love it, thank God!” Sabrina said.
“There is a great community of people I can learn off. I can’t get over the amount of people messaging me telling me that my voice is very good,” she said.
“It’s the sort of thing that keeps you going and it’s nice to get recognition,” Sabrina added.
“My music is selling steadily online so now I’m trying to focus on the live scene, so if there’s anyone out there interested in booking me, I am available for live performances,” she said.