Today, I’m very excited to have Sabrina Carrizo Sztainbok joining me on The Sonic City.  While many of you are probably familiar with her band Pins and Needles, she also has done some very interesting music as a solo artist, which she will be performing at Pride Toronto’s Clean, Sober and Proud stage on Sunday, June 28th at 3:00pm.

Casey: Welcome Sabrina! It’s great to have you join us!  To begin, tell us a little bit about your influences, and sound.

Sabrina: I’m not completely sure how to ever describe my sound because I feel like I write each song a little differently every time. As well, my influences are always changing depending on what I’m listening to. What I have been playing on my iPod recently is some Timber Timbre, Mac DeMarco, the Garden and Grimes. To sum it up I have a few slow, smooth songs and a couple more upbeat ones all with a little touch of grittiness!

Casey: What does Pride Toronto mean to you?

Sabrina: This is actually the first time that I’m going to Pride Toronto as a teenager! However, it doesn’t mean that I don’t feel Pride in general in Toronto. From what I know Pride Toronto is like a big positive space for people of all sorts to come and be themselves. As an ally it is also a place to support others.

Casey: What are you looking forward to most about performing in the festival this year?

Sabrina: I haven’t really had many chances to do some solo stuff because I’m usually playing with my band Pins & Needles. I never really took my solo material very seriously and I’m glad to have the opportunity to play it for people.

Casey: Any other artists performing that you’re excited to see play at Pride Toronto?

Sabrina: I heard Pussy Riot is playing and I would love to catch that!

Casey: Any final words, or advice for emerging artists out there?

Sabrina: Haha I feel like an emerging artist myself! I think the most important thing to know is to just get out there. Sometimes it’s scary to get on a stage, but people want you to succeed and you’d be surprised at how supportive audiences really are!

Thank you, Sabrina!  We’re very excited to see your set on the 28th.  For our readers, be sure to follow Sabrina Carrizo Sztainbok on Soundcloud, Instagram, and her Website. Additional information on the Clean, Sober and Proud stage can be found at the Facebook Event Page for Pride Toronto’s Clean, Sober and Proud Place, and on theBuzz’s featured event page.

About the Author

Casey Robertson is a genderqueer human rights activist, musician ,composer, and graduate student researching musicology and cultural theory. In recent years he has been involved with the committees of LGBTQA projects such as the Durham Pride Prom, Allies for Equality, and Queerstock Canada. He also served as a member of the board of directors for PFLAG Durham Region from 2012-2014, where he was a member of the peer2peer support team and a facilitator for monthly sharing evenings. Casey currently resides in the Church-Wellesley Village of Toronto and enjoys spending his free time scoring independent film projects and playing with his band Liberty Street, while on the constant search to discover new artists of all expressive forms. Follow Casey on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at CaseyRobertson.net