Listening to Sabiyha’s music is like downing a shot of self-love potion. Putting out songs about resilience and courage, as well as great sex and unconditional love, Sabiyha not only represents themselves as a queer non-binary artist with Indo-Caribbean heritage, they are inviting their communities to feel all kinds of powerful, too. The south London-based talent has developed their own confident and inspirational sound drawing on everything from Carnatic and Sufi music through to grunge and grime and even Guyanese lullabies. Having made a name for themselves through performances and releases that platform personal activism, Sabiyah is ready to shine. We catch up with them backstage at Glastonbury festival where breaking cultural barriers is the MO.

What does Glastonbury festival mean to you?

Myself and Drew [Jodi, co-writer/producer] have been making music together since we were 17 years old. We’re 31 now. And he’s said from the very beginning that we need to perform here. I’ve always told myself, ‘I’m not going until I’m on the bill’. So, to be here as my first ever Glastonbury and being on stage is extra special. It sounds cheesy but it’s a dream.

You’ve had four shows across the festival weekend including one on the BBC Introducing stage. That’s intense!

Doing gigs to four different pockets of the festival has been amazing. Tiring but sick! Then I’ve enjoyed watching other artists and seeing Lankum yesterday, who have been very vocal about Palestine, really resonated with me because I want to use my music as a platform to spread awareness too. Seeing the Palestine flags everywhere – I could have cried.

How has your sound evolved since starting out?

I started off as a folk musician and gigging on the circuit. As I’ve progressed, my influences have ranged from country to South Asian music to blues to folk to R&B. I’ve taken all of that and contemporised it with electronic sounds. I believe in using technology and love heavy production so that’s all part of the evolution too. I still write with Drew and the band are all mates who just happen to be incredible musicians.

Tell us about your journey to putting out last year’s debut EP, ‘Sheerkhan’.

We had started writing it and then I got really sick with a skin condition, which I’m still going through now. I was bed bound, incredibly ill and my mum had to care for me. I nearly quit music and it was a hard road to mentally and physically get over that hurdle. The re-start was with ‘Sheerkhan’, which is an ode to my mother – her maiden name is Sheerkhan – and to my nanny as well. My mum, despite coming from a traditional Indo-Caribbean background, has an ability to learn new perspectives. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to have conversations with her about being queer non-binary because she’s always taught me to come with an open heart, an open mind and be kind to people.

Your latest single, ‘Eaten’ with Sir Jude is a different vibe.

We wanted to write something fun for the queers, basically. There aren’t enough songs centring queer sex. It’s a different realm of sex and apparently people have no idea what goes on. So, we’re using language that’s in line with our experiences. It’s a sexy bop that shows off our identities and we get to bounce off each other’s energies.

Your next single ‘PWR BTM’ is equally cheeky.

This song features Grove and is for the Trans community. A lot of my chosen family are Trans, my partner is Trans. It’s a time when the Trans community is being attacked so I want to release this one as soon as I can.

How do you hope your music lands with audiences?

I believe that the more you put yourself out there as a genuine person, the more you get back. I want people to have a good time and be smiling. Yes, some of my songs are serious but when they listen to them, I hope it’s something they can take away or relate to. And I think we’ve achieved that.

Who would be your dream collaborators?

I want to work with anyone doing something a little bit odd. Someone like Ethel Cain, she’s an incredible concept artist and her latest album is all southern gothic and creepy. And I’d love to collaborate with Loyle Carner. Like me, he’s proud of being Guyanese and he’s got that family vibe too.

Where will you find this time next year?

Perhaps performing on the Park Stage at Glastonbury. And in three years, I’m aiming for the Pyramid stage!

Read our full Glastonbury 2024 review here.
Read our Glastonbury interview with Mauvey here.
Read our Glastonbury interview with Bob Vylan here.