The Beautiful Mind and Voice of Sabrina Orial

Gilang Cempaka

24 June 2011

HET IT Band
Photo: Courtesy of Universal Music Indonesia

Since 14, Sabrina has loved performing on stage and would always receive the honor to sing the Filipino national anthem in her school. Luckily, a producer and manager couple watched and noticed her talent that day. At one family event, Sabrina’s voice drew the attentions of the man and wife, who are now acting as her producer and manager.

Besides music, young Sabrina says she’s really into studying. “I’m a nerd. I love books and being the teacher’s pet, I like it”, she laughs. In her spare time, she prefers to be alone and just read books. No wonder with a great mind like her, at 22 years old, she already has a Cum-Laude degree from the University of Philippines, majoring in Communications.

She made her first debut at the age of 18 with Mandy Moore’s “Only Hope” and Spandau Ballet’s “True.” She did the cover versions in Bossanova, back when acoustic genre was on the rise in the Philippines. In total, she has released three acoustic albums. “My producers are genius. They know what the trend’s going to be and how to cater people’s need in music”, she explains.

Sabrina made a big hit on her first album I Love Acoustic which gave her Gold sales in Thailand and Philippines, and Platinum in Indonesia. Then, her second album I Love Acoustic Too sold Gold in Thailand and Indonesia. Her recent album, I Love Acoustic 3, was released on December last year where she did a duet of Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are” with an Indonesian singer, Calvin Jeremy.

Sabrina can turn upbeat songs like “Telephone” by Lady Gaga, “California” by Katy Perry, “OMG” by Usher, and even “Baby” by Justin Bieber sound smoother. The combination of her soothing voice and acoustic guitar will definitely make listeners sway and relax. Her voice is almost, if not actually, therapeutic!

She recently performed on stage with Calvin Jeremy at the Kampoeng Jazz festival in Bandung on April 30. She then did a promo tour in Jakarta for two days. The show was incredible, “I was very excited to have a gig there, it was exciting to perform on stage in a city where the language isn’t even in my mother tongue” Sabrina tells HET. “It was a great show, the tickets were sold out even though it was raining, and the best part was that I got standing ovations from the crowd.”

Sabrina admits that she is still looking forward to sing more original songs, so that she can show her true colors to her fans. “My music is for those who are not into upbeat ones. I know, everyone has a different taste in music, and I believe that I can make everybody happy with mine”, she explains with a smile.

Get in touch with Sabrina on:

Twitter: @isolovesabrina & Facebook: facebook.com/sabrinatheacousticsweetheart