We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Daye and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Healthy habits that have helped me along the way are; Making sure to follow up with contacts, building great relationships, and stay consistent with the tenacity to work hard, never stop and always get back up to push even harder finding balance.

Thankfully I am a libra. I do what I love, which helps me release any stress and maintain the balance needed to keep my sanity along my journey in this business which can be overwhelming. Singing and dancing are Incredibly decompressing.

Apart of my daily practice, I also study the word of God, I praying, write and practice Yoga on my dock facing the sunset. I train at the gym weekly as well, and make sure to enjoy the out doors as much as I can too. From hiking and biking when I am not driving all over LA to sessions, meetings, creating content, or performing shows, etc.

A major bonus being based in LA; I get to enjoy days and evenings on my sailboat “Lady Daye” which I named after my late great mother Patricia Ann Daye. There is nothing like being blessed by the ocean vibes in Marina Del Rey, on my very own yacht. I am truly living the California dream. Fulfilling my destiny, creating and working with greats while breathing deeply, reading, and keeping my peace and tranquility by the Sea.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been working over twenty years on my craft professionally Singing. But actually started out as a dancer first from early childhood. Training in many disciplines, and singing with my dad while he acoustically serenade me, ever since I was a baby. These impressionable years helped shape me musically.

I didn’t realize, or think of it until much later, but my ears were always open to the music, and the lyrical content. Little did I know but I was training them throughout the years consistently. My background is definitely unique. I feel so blessed to grow up in Toronto, Canada surrounded by such a melting pot of culture. From Pop, Soul, Funk, R&B, Reggae, Hiphop, Soft Rock, Motown, Dance Hall, Calypso, to spanish music and punjab that was blasting from our balconies. Our building was in the West end, in Rexdale. Apart of the goverment housing projects. Where I gained my street smarts, roots and culture. My best friends also looked the United Nations. It’s shaped who I am, how I see the world & humans in general as equal and beautiful in our differences and cultures. And of course musically It’s influenced me and diversified my flavor and sound uniquely.

I am so grateful for the blessing of music and dance that my parents influenced and encouraged me with. Music lovers themselves, I would often dance at their house parties for their friends coming up. They saw how much I loved it early on and support all along. Today, I think about it often. I thank God that they continued to encourage me to train and pursue my passions in the arts, sports and to always follow my dreams.

Eventually, my journey led me to studying at Toronto’s top private musical theatre College which was a triple threat program. Singing, dancing and Acting. I got in after years of dreaming about it, training and finally auditioning. And the rest is history!

Being a dancer first, gave me such great experience and exposure to different genres of music, tempos, rhythms and styles. I thankfully gained great confidence and stage presence, while expressing myself through music and gracing thousands of stages since I was kid. As a seasoned professional dancing for over a decade, in the Industry back home, I became apart of one of the first top hiphop dance companies in Toronto, called “Dodat” dancers, with now Choreographer to the stars Luther Brown who also graciously endorsed me here in the US supporting my artist visa.
We performed at local theme parks, backing some of Toronto, and Canada’s top award winning artists, and International greats. We did television, film, many music videos and festivals. You name it!

All the above experience prepared me for my music career and is the reason I am so at home on stage leading, fronting venues like The TMobile Arena that I got to feature, dance and prance around fronting ‘The Kevin Eubanks band’ a few years in a row for Microsoft with some of the best in the business. One of my biggest US gigs performing for over 40.000. I love taking to the stadiums and arenas. I’m truly made for it! And the first year I featured there right after Jlo did her “It’s my Party” tour with some of my friends and colleagues apart of her production team and band. A full circle surreal moment. Because I’ve also said that I have a similar ‘Jenny on the block’ kinda Daye story. Coming from my hood in Toronto, Canada. The smaller cleaner Nyc they call it. Dancing first and featuring on tv shows coming up, and featuring with a pro hiphop dance company. The similarities always made me relate in a personal way, and inspired me.

After many years back up dancing, I started feeling like I was being drawn to the front of stage. I just knew somehow in my heart and soul that I belonged upstage leading. Quite instantly upon attending my musical Theatre college. My professors who were top casting directors in Canada, advised me right away to focus on my voice. They encouraged me with a passion and stressed that I’d have a great chance to book principle roles in the future If I worked hard and stayed consistent focused on being a lead singer. I took their advice and started producing my own live shows outside of school at some of Toronto’s top venues. I had some great local success for many years building my following, and I was embraced by the community always cross promoting and featuring my amazingly talented friends Eventually getting so inspired that I wanted to spread my wings and jump into writing and recording, to push myself and branch out International.

As soon as I got the nerve, and a deeper hunger to become an Internatoinal recording artist, I applied and was thankfully honored and awarded a grant from FACTOR Canada to record my first Ep. Being chosen out of a thousand recipients was thrilling. I quickly gained momentum with it, and got the awesome opportunity to feature and tour over seas. Something my late great mother encouraged of me. To go and travel and pursue my career dreams. From that first contract I took off and never looked back! I booked from Malaysia, Singapore, to Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong over five years successfully making great USD. And I did it all on my own literally booking, managing, negotiating and producing my shows Independently after my first three month contract. And I’m still at it! It’s been a journey and a half.

I’m even more excited for the next few years ahead with lots of greatness lined up. Including many of the projects that have been brewing, that are now finally coming to fruition. And so much more. The spontaneity I live for.

I can truly say, I’ve lived an Indie Artists dream. Doing what I love, traveling and getting paid great money to produce my own shows, feature and sing my original music, mixed with covers and fan favorites Internationally. From top live music venues, clubs, music festivals, five star hotels, major brand events, opening for celebrities, Dj’s and royalty. From Canada to Sth East Asia and eventually making my way to LA featuring all over Cali, Hollywood to Vegas. With plans to do Europe, and the rest of the US.

With so much more in me to give, new and exciting projects and creations, like my new TV show planned called “The Daye Weekly” on Urban Soul TV. A musical passion project that I put on the back burner for some years while I’ve been busy working and focused on my music career, live shows, tours and original music projects predominately. Now, I’m not only featuring on several shows on “Urban Soul TV” like my recent Interview and spotlight performance on “The Crowned Peach Show” & “Top five”. All to be found on Roku, Firestick and Apple Tv. On “Urban Soul TV”. Stay tuned, It’s coming!

Originally, I just came to visit LA. I felt the vibes, experienced the local music scene with musical giants, and quickly applied for an 01 Artist Visa as an extraordinary Singer Songwriter with thankfully much support from greats that I’ve been so very blessed to be mentored by and eventually work with Including; Narada Micheal Walden who I’m working with on a new single now as I speak. Including also, the great Wayne Vaughn, Stacey Lamont Sydnor, Kevin Flournoy, Kevin Dorsey, and William ‘Papa Lee’, among many others. All with such extraordinary backgrounds themselves, backing the Legends literally.

Currently, I am on my third visa and in the middle of renewing my 4th. It’s taken great strength, sacrifice to be away from my family, a serious intense work ethic and great tenacity to continue and push on solo during also some of the hardest times in the Industry and world ever. But coming out of all that, I am super excited to be working with the legendary “Chuckii Booker”, whom I have a new single with, that’s called “Catch me (If I fall)”. Dropping soon. Check it out! On all Platforms. It’s that next level. He brang out that unique soulful sound I’m known for. live, onto record. And allowed me to write from the deepest part of me. I hope you’ll all love, experience and adore the passion that is we. Chuckii Boo Daye baby!

Thankfully my journey, the incredible years of experience, all my hard work and the thousands of stages that I’ve opened, featured, headlined and performed with, and or for many celebrities over the years. Stage to the studio working with the best as well, has all helped me to successfully build a life and career here professionally in the US working with greatness. It’s been infectious. I’m ready to give you all of my BEST yet! I truly feel like I’m just getting started. It’s my prime. #DayeTime

Daye dreams I will continue to pursue. And new music collabs keep it fresh, exciting & challenging too. Stay tuned for new music with William “Papa Lee” & Moi Lady Daye. A new song called “Alright” that I’ll also be dropping! As well as my ‘Daye Dream Team’ EP, with my MD and favorite drummer Stacey Lamont Sydnor. Plus, live shows & collabs with Chuckii Booker, Kevin Dorsey, The Unit & more! It’s about to get fierce. Summertime fire into fall! Look out for the Daye, 2024 is gonna be cray!

And last but not least, Teaching the kids along the way is also something I am so super proud of, honored and humbled by. It’s become so rewarding to share my incredible years of hands on experience as a professional in the class room, watching the youth grow in their voices and helping them find their way. I love building them up and loving on them in the most positive, natural, blessed and creative way singing. It’s not only fun, healing and nurturing for them, but also for me too. Thanks to you my sista Miss Tanya, Asher for referring me. Many blessings, now my class has had a waiting list to get in.

I am so glad to be apart of Panther Partners many years now at Culver City Middle School. Vocal coaching and Artist development has become a major passion and part of my profession that drives me to give back, share, teach and help the new generation building our music community. From vocals, singing technique, mic technique to building confidence, vocal projection, to performance, writing, stage presence, image and styling. It brings me such joy to support the young artists along their personal journey. Don’t forget to go to; SarahDaye.com for all the above new music, shows and so much more.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite spots in LA, people, places and things to do are; Of course, hanging on the waterfront. I love to go out sailing, enjoy some neighborly dock party fun with friends at my boat Lady Daye, in Marina Del Rey,

Plus, Burton Chase Park is right next to me for some yoga in the park. Overlooking the beautiful ocean view and yachts, with the most stunning sunsets. In the evening, they also have picnic style free movie nights, free concerts in the summer as well that we can bring our own wine, beer or preferred favorites.

I am blessed to go out on my friend Captain Lori’s Catamaran named ‘Meant to be’ fairly often, which is one of my favorite plans for sunsets. And I just actually shot my latest Interview and video on it, for my new single “Catch me (If I fall)”. Updates will be on my site. A must for friends and family in town. Lori is super awesome and most gracious.

Another options that’s also fun in the Marina, is to jump on the cool local water taxi that goes all around Marina Del Rey, from Mariners Village to Killer Shrimp, and the Cheese Cake Factory. Seeing the dolphins when lucky, also makes me tres happy! Ones I woke up on my boat and popped my head up to see a whole family of dolphins jumping right in front of me. And Lori was teaching sailing right in front of my boat too going by. It was sooo cool! We usually will see them near the break water, or when we sail out and head towards Venice pier or Malibu point dune. Sunset sails are a must! Drinks, a great food and good company makes for a perfect Cali eve.

Can’t miss doing a beautiful coastal Malibu drive, and a sunset dinner at Nobu, or a few other local fabulous favorite beach front spots along the coast. Including the famous Maestros.

Next, I recommend an inspiring morning hike either in Santa Monica Mountains, Runyon Canyon or Griffith Park by the Conservatory, with a great view of DTLA, the whole city and the famous Hollywood Sign for the icon pics and selfies. Followed by a visit to the Hollywood market to get the best fruits and veggies, juices and local goodies. What makes this market even better is the community & my dear friend and mentor the legendary ‘Wayne Vaughn’ who brings everyone together. A local regular weekly hang & jam I started to go many years ago with our bro’s & our favorite musical bread man. This makes for great Hollywood stories! Always learning some more musical history.

Back on the west side, I’d be taking us to my favorite fish tacos spot in Venice beach on Washington blvd near the pier at Thomas Hamburger. Believe it or not! I swear it’s are the best I’ve had in LA. Simply delicious! Then I’d suggest we’d take a sweet walk about, and bar hop down the Washington blvd strip. Take to the Venice canals and back, ending up at the local classic spot ‘Baha Cantina’ for their famous frozen Margarita’s, chips and salsa. The foods great too. And I love sitting in front of the fire pit too, during the cooling off hours of the evening.

Hollywood nights, a must! We gotta hit some local live entertainment featuring some of my incredibly talented friends. First stop has gotta be to see my sista girl @CharleneRose3 live @Ladescargala for some exotic burlesque, followed by salsa dancing with a great live band and Dj following. Craft cocktails and sexy speak easy vibes, with my kinda tribe.

On a chill Monday night, It’s also a blast catching my talented brotha’s who back Stevie and The Jackson’s; Brandon Brown & Stanley Randolph who have a fire night @ Gold Diggers in Hollywood. A fiercely fabulous world class jam where we’d catch many greats and even some legends.

Of course, any of my shows going on throughout LA will be a blast with my Daye Dream Team band. An eclectic mixed crowd and great music for everyone. Various dates in and surrounding LA, Including soon to be officially announced, my new residency starting at the French Quarter Creole bar & grill where I’m bringing my Sexy Soul Sessions with Sarah Daye.

Otherwise, things are always changing weekly in LA, new events and entertainment to enjoy spontaneously. That’s what I love about it too actually. But the Hollywood Bowl, a basketball game, or a sweet trip to New Port Beach is always awesome. Some of my favorite water front beaches, hotels. Including the stunning rocky beach bluffs of Corona Del mar.

All the above are off the top of my head! Lastly I’d just say, lets go out dancing, hit a few underground parties & cool house parties in the hills. The view is always spectacular.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my Shout out to a number of great men in this business who have extended themselves to support me along my journey in LA. I’ve been blessed to know them, work with them and call them friends. The first being; Grammy Award Winning drummer, Musical Director and Producer, the great ‘Stacey Lamont Sydnor’ who’s backed me up on drums Incredibly over the years, my MD live and in studio with my Ep coming, that’s finally almost complete. A labor of love with my Daye dream team band. Including my bassist John Steward, Kevin Flournoy on keys, and many more greats that Lamont has arranged for me. Sadly Covid did slowed down some things unfortunately, but we are finishing what we started thankfully.

I also want to Shout out a special thanks to the amazing ‘Kevin Dorsey’ for having a girls back too. He bought me new equipment when someone stole my mic, and recording gear. He is so gracious & sincere. It brought me to tears. Thank you KD! Not only one of the BEST in the business, but a fabulous friend, and human. I am blessed to have you in my corner. Bless!

Now of course, I have to thank the Incredible “Chuckii Booker” for producing my latest greatest single “Catch Me (If I Fall)” that’s this month on all platforms. Thank you so much for believing in me, and blessing me with this musical collab of my dreams. I am so excited to make much more music and memories with you. And, with all the above brothas too! I love you guys so much, sincerely.

Last but not least, are two fabulous friends; My co-writing partner William Lee who’s also blessed me with our new single a fabulous collab and new release set to come out this fall called “Alright”. And, my dear friend and mentor ‘Bill Overton’. Thank you for the years of encouragement. For also pushing me out of my comfort zone, and presenting me the opportunity to move to Marina Del Rey years ago from Hollywood. It’s the best move a girl could make. And, it has blessed me immensely!

Bill also got me hooked up at “The Marina Venice Yacht Club” years ago, where I became their official Artist & Dj producing my show weekly for members and guests. I lived right in the Marina City Club on sight, where It was based. I was also blessed with a free gym membership, and gratefully was honored a free membership to the yacht club in return for featuring, singing, and entertaining weekly. I provided my sound system and sang the National Anthem as well on special occasions like the famous Opening day in Marina Del Rey. This is where I got inspired and explored sailing, yachting and eventually bought my 29 ft Sailboat in which I sailed from Long Beach to Marina Del Rey. A Cali Daye dream. The best decision I made buying my boat “Lady Daye”. Thanks to Bill, I’ve created a life and community in the Marina ever since. I call it my Sanctuary.

Without all these gents, I wouldn’t be here today! You are all so special to me. Many Thanks!

Website: www.SarahDaye.com

Instagram: @SarahDaye

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/SarahDaye

Twitter: @SarahDaye

Facebook: Facebook.com/SarahDayeMusic

Youtube: Youtube.com/SarahDaye

Other: Tiktok: SarahLadyDaye Youtube.com/SarahDayeLive Personal page: Facebook.com/SarahDaye 2nd personal/fanpage: Facebook.com/SarahDayeDreams Spotify: Sarah Daye Soundcloud.com/SarahDaye

Image Credits
Javier – MAz Fotos & My Daye Dream Team.

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