By Joe Hizul

Be up close and personal with songbird Sarah Daye. Sarah is performing at the opening of the Raggae Bar 2 on Changkat Bukit Bintang. TOKL has the pleasure of engaging her.

Tell us about yourself
I’m a Singer/Songwriter, Dancer, Actor, Model and Choreographer from Toronto, Canada. Grew up in the big city and studied dance since I was three which was my first passion as a child, though I sang with my father since I was able to speak. I was blessed with a great father who would sing to me and serenade my sister and I since we were kids playing guitar by our bedside, not to mention both my parents being very musical and influencing me with their great diverse record collections that open up the world of Motown, Soul, Jazz, Soft Rock and Folk to me early. We sang so many years with my father that I even grew to know how my dad sang each song and would harmonized and stylized myself around his voice. He was definitely an inspiration to me.

I trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Modern and Tap-danced all the way through high-school, danced for the top hip-hop company Dodat out of Toronto Canada and then auditioned and was accepted to the top private musical theatre college in Canada which specialized and concentrated on acting for film, TV and theatre, dance, movement, stage combat, the whole bit.

After college I jumped into the industry quickly already getting great opportunities in the industry and hands-on experience which aided in my continual growth and success as a full time artiste. From dancing for Canada’s top urban artistes, choreographing my first major commercials and assisting greats in the biz, to being awarded Government grants for my music and taking International opportunities to tour, all has helped me grow into the artiste I am today, well seasoned and loving what I do more everyday!

I have been blessed to share my music and tour from Canada, South East Asia to Hollywood, California and surrounding cities and states where I’ve been steadily building my fan base and enjoying the entertainment chase. There’s nothing I love to do more, and stay tuned cause there is a lot more in store – new music, videos coming and more.

How would you describe your music?
My original music varies ‘cause I write many styles which is a passion of mine to be versatile. Some of my music has been used for films and television already and signed to a UK label. I not only write for me but for others as well. I love to throw myself into the creative process as much as I can and in different situations, circumstances.

I enjoy writing styles from Pop, Folk, Soul, Jazz, R&B, House, Soft Rock and even Hip-hop which I grew up on, being raised mostly in a very urban project area in Toronto.

I’d say my current style for this album project in the works is Pop/Dance –
with elements of Soul, R&B and great catchy Hip-hop hits. I love the Funk and Soul so that is always a huge influence in anything I do too.

Do you write / collaborate with others?
Yes and I love collaborating too. Currently I am collaborating with my great friend, an awesome Independent rapper/songwriter/producer, super talented Cat from Compton I met in LA. We have a great connection & our new song is hot; it’s called ‘It’s bout luv’ – check it out! It’s a very hot catchy inspiring song with a great message. You can find it on my Myspace.

Are there any artistes you look up to?
Definitely, so hard to name ‘cause there are sooo many. But I’ll say that Whitney was a huge childhood favourite, Aretha, Chaka Khan, Madonna as well who I grew up loving, from her early music days, trend setting entertainment value, her amazing ability to reinvent herself and her business savvy, hard work and determination which I truly respect and admire.

Micheal Jackson of course a favourite for his amazing music, dance influence, originality and heart to heal the world and give back. Others include my favourite band Beady Belle, Mary J Blige, Etta James, Nina Simone, Barbara Streisand and Mariah. Luther Vandross also my all time favorite soul brotha! May they both rest in peace. Two greats never to forget! MJ and Luther.

How do they influence you an artiste yourself?
They challenge me to be the best I can be from my vocal abilities, styles to being an all round entertainer, business woman and a versatile voice, songwriter, singer and multi-dimensional artiste with plans to be around a long, long time challenging myself to many career goals, dreams and accomplishments yet to be seen and heard. I’m inspired huge and those are just a few.

What is your best achievement as an artiste?
I’d have to say making my way touring around South East Asia for years. Independently managing myself, musically directing and booking for years, making moves to LA and playing independently all over California, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica at the top venues and building my career to a successful place where I can now take to another level with a team, are just a few of my best accomplishments besides of course sharing the stages with stars I never dreamed to be accompanying, winning a Factor Grant in Canada to support my music and artistry & building my outstanding network of amazing talents who I’ve been so blessed to meet and play live with over the years internationally.

I’m very grateful and have worked very, very hard to get where I am today and still I am only embarking on the beginning of much greatness to come, I have many amazing plans and am majorly determined with a great team now finally behind me, not to mention God support & direction which I am following.

What are your plans for 2010?
I have many great plans to be sharing my new music with the world, touring the States and internationally sharing live, which I do best. Keep a lookout at the new Reggae Bar 2 as I will be frequenting there for some shows while passing through.

For New Year's I’m doing a beach Concert in Bali at ‘The Legian’ and will be hittin’ Thailand and Singapore too.

Online new treats in the works, a new video coming out soon which I shot in LA independently and I’m very excited about. New music with great producers, collaborations in the works recorded from LA and recently on my visit home to Canada.

What can we, the KL-ites, expect from you in the near future?
I will be doing a few feature performances and appearances in KL while visiting fans and friends I’ve made over the years. Excited to set foot and share my soul and songs again. From live DJ collaborations over house and acid jazz, to my originals live, I’m comin’ funktified. Ha ha.

I bring energy, soul and style to the stage the Daye way! Check my youtube for some video selections and subscribe. A collaboration of my different styles also on my Myspace. No time to waste! Do it today.

How can KL fans get in touch with you?
I have a Facebook page which I am actively on as much as possible, and a fan page in the works. Also my Myspace pages; www.myspace.com/sdaye and www.myspace.com/SarahDaye. For booking info, email sarahsurgeevents@yahoo.com.

Also, for those who love to Twitter, you can follow Sarah on www.twitter.com/SarahDaye.

Sarah will be performing at the new Raggae 2 Bar on Changkat Bukit Bintang opening night on Dec 23, on Christmas Eve (Dec 24) and on Boxing Day (Dec 26).