Sarah Mark makes big splash on the music scene

At only 16 years old, Sarah Mark is already making a big splash on the music scene in St Vincent and the Grenadines, throughout the region and internationally.{{more}}

Exactly who is Sarah Mark? She’s the bubbly teenager behind the hit singles ‘Stereo Killer’, ‘Stars Collide’ and ‘You don’t impress me’.

The daughter of a Vincentian mother and a Trinidadian father, Mark’s songs have been taking off since their release in the summer of 2011. And with a burgeoning career and an increasing work schedule, Mark still found the time to sit and have a quick chat with SEARCHLIGHT earlier this week.

Already rubbing elbows with some of the big names in the music industry, Mark said her big break really came with the release of ‘Stereo Killer’.

“A guy who works with me by the name of Ivan Berry, heard me sing and after a while, he said he was taking me to Canada. While there, I was introduced to a guy named Rob Wells who is a Canadian producer …,” Mark stated.

Mark, who related that Wells has worked with the likes of pop sensations Justin Beiber, Selena Gomez and the BackStreet Boys, said that Wells had a number of pre-written songs, including ‘Stereo Killer’.

“This is just a fun song; it just makes you feel happy and hyped,” Mark chuckled.

The young singer/songwriter said she doesn’t place her music in the Pop genre, but described it as being a blend with a lot of Caribbean music, to form a whole new genre, which is yet to be named.

Mark said, even at the age of four years old, she always knew that she wanted to become a singer.

“I have never strayed from wanting to become a singer. I have never had any doubt that I would not become a singer because I always believed in myself …,” she added.

Reflecting on one of the best experiences of her career so far, Mark said she was given the opportunity to open the COSCAP show in Barbados for Barbadian R&B songbird Shontelle Layne – the woman behind such singles as “T-Shirt” and “Impossible”.

“I was so excited to have shared the same stage with her. It was my first big show, really. I gave it my all and I know I had to impress Ivan Berry. I did it and loved it and the crowd did too…,” she beamed.

With some of her musical influences being recording artistes Rihanna, Jessie J, Rita Ora and Taylor Swift, Mark says she likes to make music that makes people happy and “put a smile on their faces”.

Despite her newly found fame, Mark still remains grounded and humble. Currently living and going to school in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, she told SEARCHLIGHT that her songs are even being played there.

“I moved there about the age of 12, because my father got a job there. In between that time, I moved to St Vincent for about six months, then it was back to Dubai and then to Barbados, where I went to school there for a year … It’s kind of difficult for people to have access to me and me to them, with all the travelling back and forth…,” Mark said.

Currently on a two-moth vacation here, Mark disclosed that she will most likely move to Barbados and finish her studies there.

Stating that education is very important to her, Mark said it is quite difficult to maintain a balance between the two things she loves, but because of her passion and drive for music, she said she excels.

“I do not want to do anything else. There’s no way I can explain in words how much I want to do this and how I believe in myself…,” she said.

The teenager however, admitted that if she does not make it big, she will pursue university studies in Psychology so that she has something solid to fall back on.

“I just love what I do and it makes me smile. Today I was in one of the cafe’s in town and my mum told me one of the girls there wanted to meet me. You don’t know how that made me feel. When I really blow up, I am going to just fall in love with my fans and show them how much I appreciate them…,” she added with a huge smile.

Since she’s been here, Mark has been working with producer Mark Cyrus, who also wrote the lyrics to “You don’t impress me”.

With a passion for education, Mark expressed her concern about illiteracy among children in the Caribbean and those who do not have the opportunity to receive an education.

“I have the opportunity to go to school and get an education. I don’t think some people realise how lucky they are to get an education. I want when I become famous and get money, I can provide an education for kids who do not have the opportunity or can’t afford to go to school. People can always take away things from someone, but they can’t take away an education,” she passionately stressed.

For right now, Mark said she is just enjoying her music and vacation in St Vincent and the Grenadines. When she’s not busy in the studio or performing for people, you can find her online playing ‘Call of Duty’.

“I am a pro at this. I challenge anyone. I am prestige level 36,” she chuckled.

Mother, Annette Layne-Mark said she encourages her daughter to do well, but reminds her about the impact that a singing career could have on her.

“I just want her to understand the impact of this; what will happen and what could happen. I just try to support, guide and keep her on the straight and narrow. That’s my role,” she said.

Fans can see Sarah perform live on August 4, at Marty’s Sports Bar in Buccament.