We chat to Maverick Sabre ahead of his single release.
-How would you describe your upcoming single 'Let Me Go'?
It's my first main video push I've had from the label. We had 'Look What I've Done' a couple of months back, but this is the first main single we've got off the debut album. All my music is a mix of everything I've listened to over time.
Some people listen to it and say that's a soul track, it's got a hip-hop influence, a bit of blues. Really, all I want my music to be everything I've been influenced by, and my own stamp on that. I don't really know what label to put on it. If I had to say something it would be hip-hop inspired soulful folk music. 'Let Me Go' is just another little branch of that.
-Is that where your influences come from then?
Yeah, definitely. My dad brought me up on traditional Irish music, American blues, rock n' roll. I fell in love with certain music. As I grew up, it was more folk, soul, hip-hop, reggae, dance music. For me, I've done every style of music.
I've done soul tracks, I've written folk tracks. I've done so many different styles of music. When I want to put out my first body of music, as I'm doing with my debut album and the songs off it, I want it to be a mix of that, so you can hear all those influences within all that.
When I do a show, I could have a strict hip-hop head standing besides someone who might never have listened to hip-hop in their lives. Someone who only listens to folk music, but would come and see me. I want that mix, combination and unity from all those different styles of music.
-Do you still get input in all areas of your music?
Yeah, I would have to not care about my music to not have an input. I have an input about everything I do. Every interview, I want to know where it is, what it's for.
I'm fully involved in the videos, the directing, everything. I feel like you have to be hands-on and know what's happening.
One day I might do something not knowing what it is, an interview, an ad campaign, a song for something. It might be used for a company that I do not support, you know? So, I have to watch that. It's always best to be as aware as possible.
-I read earlier that Plan B played a role in getting you discovered. What happened?
Well, I wouldn't put it exactly like that. He helped me along. I supported him in Dublin when I was 15, and we got to know each other over that period. He just really helped me out and became a very good friend.
-You've supported him, as well as people like Cee Lo Green. Do any stand out?
When I did my first tour with Chase & Status, it was the first time I got to see them consistently on a tour.
They really stood out for me. It doesn't matter if you like their music, or if you don't like dance music, just go and see them. Trust me, you'll have a great experience. Snoop Dogg as well, he was fantastic.
-Do you think it's important to excel in the live environment?
Yeah, it's the route to music. It's what keeps music going. I was at a festival in Norway, I flew back yesterday. I got to see Tinie Tempah playing out there. He had thousands upon thousands of people chanting all his lyrics, and they don't even speak English as a first language.
For me, music is the most powerful tool we've got to unite people together. I feel like that's not happening in the world so much anymore. People need to be united together and forget all these issues that are cutting up society, making people hate one another.
All this rubbish is pushing everybody against each other. Music can be used as a tool, in a non-cheesy way, to join people back together. When I saw that, when I saw people who don't even speak the language come out and enjoy themselves and be on a good energetic vibe.
To sing along and enjoy someone who isn't from their background, and doesn't even know their language, it's what's needed in music.
-Should people use the platform they have to raise awareness of issues?
Definitely. I think if you've got 5 or two minutes in someone's ear…it's time not to be wasted. You need to put something positive across.
I'm not saying every piece of music has to be a deep message. We're not deep thinkers 24/7. Sometimes you want to have a laugh, talk about love, stuff like that. You can't have it so saturated with just that.
We're not drinking, at clubs or with women 24/7. Why say that? Why only push that? Something needs to be a bit more positive and people need to walk away from music learning something.
-Moving back to your release The Travelling Man, why did you decide to give it away?
Just to get music to the people, that was it. At the time, I was sitting on so much music, which I still am now. I had nothing out at the time, you know.
I had a couple of old mixtapes that I'd done when I was 15 or 16, but I hadn't done anything since then properly. Nothing like a solid body of work that people could have on their iPods or their computers.
I thought that giving it away for free what the best way of doing it. You didn't have to any money. If you didn't have a computer, a friend could do it and give it you on a CD. I just wanted to get the music to the people, and let them have something of me.
-Do you think the way the business is going is a good thing, or hurting the value of music?
I'm not sure about hurting the value of the music. People downloading and ripping music, I don't know if that's devaluing music. It's a shame, because I'm a big fan of records, vinyl. I like buying something, having a body of work and appreciating it.
When I was a kid, I'd save up money for three weeks to get the new record out. Because I lived in Ireland, I'd have to pre-order certain ones if they were underground English grime records. It was a big moment when the CD shop would ring up and say 'yeah, we've got your new record'.
I'd get my mum or my father to drive me down and we'd get the CDs. Maybe, in a way, that has devalued music, but I think the music itself, mainstream wise, is devaluing it. The way the person is more of a product that the music is.
Remember, we gave out music for free the minute the first instrument was created. We never got someone to pay to listen to us, we did it for free. When it started off, no-one got paid to do it. It's everyone’s own opinion on it.
At the end of the day, you can't expect people to live off nothing. You have to survive. I suppose it's everyone's own opinion, but it definitely is an issue.
-You mentioned your mixtapes when you were a teenager. Did you imagine then that you'd get to where you are now, with the festivals you're playing this summer?
I always dreamed about it. I'm very critical on my music as it is, but...I always had a subconscious believe and faith in what I could do. I always had that idea from when I was 8 or 9 that if I knew my limitations, and my capabilities, I could do whatever I want.
I don't profess to be the best singer in the world. Some people might hate my voice. I don't profess to be the best guitar player in the world. Some people might think I'm terrible when they hear me.
If I can get around that and know what I'm actually good at, I always felt like I could do whatever I wanted. I always had a certain belief, but I think it was subconscious more than an egotistical arogant thing. I just always believed it would happen at some point, if I kept pushing myself.
-Moving to your debut album, are you exciting to get it out?
Yeah, of course. I've been sitting on some of the tunes for years. Some are brand new. I just want people to hear it, I like getting music out. If we could survive off grass and water, and I could pay my bills like that, I'd put it out for free.
I'm sure the record label would as well, if everyone was getting paid off air. I just want to get it out, you know? I'm looking forward to getting the music out so I can go out and play it. That's the main thing for me, going out and performing it.
-Having worked with so many artists, do you hve any collaborations planned for the album?
It's strictly a solo effort at the minute. I'm not saying there won't be maybe one or two hidden bonus tracks that might feature someone on it. I'm not 100% sure yet. I'm not going to say yes or no, but it's going to be a solo effort. I want to make my own stamp on music myself.
-Besides the album release, what do you have planned for the rest of the year?
Festivals. Literally, festival after festival. I've got Wireless tomorrow, then Irish festival the week after that. Festivals, gigs, and pushing the singles. Then, the album later on this year.
-What would you like to say to anyone reading this?
Just believe in yourself. I don't ever want to sound cheesy or say that I know everything. I don't, I never say that I do, not in any which way. I'm giving from my own ignorant perspective, my own view on things.
Only on person might read this. The rest might not like what I'm saying, and only one person might get to the end of this interview. If I can get this across to that one person, it'll be good. My father always told me when I was younger, no-one's better than you, and you're better than no-one.
If you always keep that, you'll stay humble and grounded. One thing I've always taught myself is know your limitations and capabilities. Don't put yourself down and big yourself up too much. You can always put your mind to it and achieve whatever you want.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge
We chat to Maverick Sabre ahead of his single release.
-How would you describe your upcoming single 'Let Me Go'?
It's my first main video push I've had from the label. We had 'Look What I've Done' a couple of months back, but this is the first main single we've got off the debut album. All my music is a mix of everything I've listened to over time.
Some people listen to it and say that's a soul track, it's got a hip-hop influence, a bit of blues. Really, all I want my music to be everything I've been influenced by, and my own stamp on that. I don't really know what label to put on it. If I had to say something it would be hip-hop inspired soulful folk music. 'Let Me Go' is just another little branch of that.
-Is that where your influences come from then?
Yeah, definitely. My dad brought me up on traditional Irish music, American blues, rock n' roll. I fell in love with certain music. As I grew up, it was more folk, soul, hip-hop, reggae, dance music. For me, I've done every style of music.
I've done soul tracks, I've written folk tracks. I've done so many different styles of music. When I want to put out my first body of music, as I'm doing with my debut album and the songs off it, I want it to be a mix of that, so you can hear all those influences within all that.
When I do a show, I could have a strict hip-hop head standing besides someone who might never have listened to hip-hop in their lives. Someone who only listens to folk music, but would come and see me. I want that mix, combination and unity from all those different styles of music.
-Do you still get input in all areas of your music?
Yeah, I would have to not care about my music to not have an input. I have an input about everything I do. Every interview, I want to know where it is, what it's for.
I'm fully involved in the videos, the directing, everything. I feel like you have to be hands-on and know what's happening.
One day I might do something not knowing what it is, an interview, an ad campaign, a song for something. It might be used for a company that I do not support, you know? So, I have to watch that. It's always best to be as aware as possible.
-I read earlier that Plan B played a role in getting you discovered. What happened?
Well, I wouldn't put it exactly like that. He helped me along. I supported him in Dublin when I was 15, and we got to know each other over that period. He just really helped me out and became a very good friend.
-You've supported him, as well as people like Cee Lo Green. Do any stand out?
When I did my first tour with Chase & Status, it was the first time I got to see them consistently on a tour.
They really stood out for me. It doesn't matter if you like their music, or if you don't like dance music, just go and see them. Trust me, you'll have a great experience. Snoop Dogg as well, he was fantastic.
-Do you think it's important to excel in the live environment?
Yeah, it's the route to music. It's what keeps music going. I was at a festival in Norway, I flew back yesterday. I got to see Tinie Tempah playing out there. He had thousands upon thousands of people chanting all his lyrics, and they don't even speak English as a first language.
For me, music is the most powerful tool we've got to unite people together. I feel like that's not happening in the world so much anymore. People need to be united together and forget all these issues that are cutting up society, making people hate one another.
All this rubbish is pushing everybody against each other. Music can be used as a tool, in a non-cheesy way, to join people back together. When I saw that, when I saw people who don't even speak the language come out and enjoy themselves and be on a good energetic vibe.
To sing along and enjoy someone who isn't from their background, and doesn't even know their language, it's what's needed in music.