Featured artist: Sara Strömmer
Last year we started with a series of blog posts that feature some artists that we think you should pay extra attention to! Today, we’d like to introduce you to Sara Strömmer, vocal coach, and singer of FEAR OF DOMINATION and SHEREIGN. We had the opportunity to ask her a couple of questions!
Tell us a bit about yourself as an artist, what sort of projects have you been involved in?
My real name is Sara Vanhamäki but I use Sara Strömmer as an artist name. I am a singer, a vocal coach and I’m in the bands Fear of Domination and newly established Shereign. I have been singing since I was a little girl, but had my first band Grayden in 2011. From there I started to build my career as a singer in various projects and bands like End of Aeon, Crimfall, Kaunis Kuolematon, Mustan Kuun Lapset, Drearyym, Resonance, etc. I established my own trade name in 2015 and started working as a vocal coach.
Nowadays I focus on my bands Fear of Domination and Shereign but also take part in some side projects like MaidenFest which is a tribute event for Iron Maiden. This annual tour includes several talented singers and the shows are held in different cities and venues.
What was the moment you realized you wanted to become a musician?
As a kid, I always dreamt of being a famous and glamorous singer like Whitney Houston. Then life happened and I tried to find myself a “decent and respectful job” because being an artist or a musician was not valued as an occupation where I came from. I really thought that I didn’t have a choice in that matter. The result was that after I had graduated as a Bachelor of Business in 2012, I tried to do a normal 8-16 job which made me very unhappy. I resigned from my job and re-evaluated my whole life and the choices I had made. Because it was me who made the choices that lead to that unhappy place.
It has been a long road in finding my “true self” and I’m still on the way. Music and singing make me feel happy and gives me a reason to live this life. So in that sense, I didn’t consciously make a decision that I wanted to become a musician. It came to me because it gave me a purpose in life.
What has been the most inspirational moment that has happened to you as a musician?
I get those inspirational moments quite a lot! Every time I learn a new singing technique, succeed in a live performance, get to express myself and my feelings the way I want and see all the love and courage I can give to other people by just being me.
What are 5 things you can’t live without?
Food, water, sleep, love and balance of mind.
What is the best thing about being a musician?
Every live show when you connect with the band, music and the audience!
