Pure Sky feat. Sabrina Fuentes (@sickysab) — Singer, bassist, and face of Pretty Sick, the NYC-London based rock group. Apart from dropping one of our favorite records of 2024 in “Streetwise”, Fuentes also moonlights as a model and designer. Oh, and she’s been doing all this since she was 13. Definitionally true to this, not new to this. Read on for a quick Q&A and click here to listen to her playlist.
What should people do while listening to this playlist?
Dance or walk or bike.
You started Pretty Sick at age 13, won VFILES’ web-series competition at 15, and the rest is history. A decade later, what still excites you about the scene you’re a part of?
My friends, new music, watching or taking part in performing, community, being honest with other people, sharing something meaningful. I’m easily excited in general, so everything.
You’ve mentioned writing 30, 40 songs at a time in your notebook. What does that creative flow feel like, and how do you activate it?
It feels normal to me, that’s how I always do it. I have a lot to say. A lot on my mind most of the time.
How would you describe what’s going on with post-punk right now?
I would say, a lot of people are learning how to be together again after being separated for a long time. And that’s good.
There’s a tendency to pigeonhole women in rock into the “riot grrrl” role, something I know you’ve dealt with. Do you feel limited by how people perceive you?
I try not to think about how others perceive me. Lots of people get it wrong but it’s not really important. I trust that the people who connect with my music understand me.
You’ve described Pretty Sick as more of a collective than a band, with members rotating in and out. How does that shape your mindset as the lead?
It makes it less scary to try new things for me, and it allows me to work with new people or ideas that inspire me more often. I get to create with so many different people. It’s an honor and a privilege to do something so intimate with others.
One thing you think is sick, and one thing you are sick of:
Is sick: drawing, having a crush, four leaf clovers, 12 string guitars, lemon pig, rocknroll, dancing, warm weather, art.
Sick of: fascism, indie sleaze.
What does magic mean to you, and where do you notice it most these days?
Magic is a feeling. I notice it in the club and onstage and in a kind friend’s smile and in the moment when you’re forming a good idea.
What’s an agenda you want to push right now?
Everyone should be nicer to each other. Everyone should take up a creative hobby that isn’t their job, and try to get good at it or at least be interested in something fulfilling outside of profit.
What can you tell us about the music you’re currently working on?
It took a very long time to reveal itself but it’s finally coming to light.
→ Find Sabrina on Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube.
→ Silk is our new blogging platform for curated media.