Sakari

Vocals Songwriting Production

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190 Reviews (182 Verified)
Sakari on SoundBetter

A gal with soul. Trained musician and performer with a versatile voice and rich, smooth tone. I have done session work for PeterCottontale, Ingrid Michelson and DAVIE. I have done performances with Jessy Wilson, Tori Kelly, Hillary Scott, Kirk Franklin, Maren Morris, Chris Stapleton and Mavis Staples.

Chicago born and raised, I grew up singing in the church gospel choir beginning at the age of 4. At age 12 I began writing and recoding in the studio, releasing my first solo album at age 16. I was formerly based in Nashville, TN where I attended Belmont University for four year studying Commercial Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance. Throughout my 6 year stay in Tennessee I spent time gigging at venues, private parties, college events, corporate events, festivals and bars down on Broadway with my band, Mocha. In addition, I have been blessed to sing behind various artists on stages across the nation; Bonnaroo (with DAVIE), Lollapalooza (with DAVIE opening for LIZZO), The Greek Theatre (with Jessy Wilson opening for Al Green), the Country Music Awards (CMAs) signing background vocals for Maren Morris, Chris Stapleton and Mavis Staples, The Dove Awards singing bgvs for Tori Kelly, Hillary Scott and Kirk Franklin and the Pinknic Festival (NY) singing with YEBBA and Mark Ronson. I have also done studio background vocals for Ingrid Michaelson and Peter CottonTale (Chance The Rapper's musical director) . I am currently based in Los Angeles, California.

I am offering:
vocals for a original songs
vocals for cover songs
top line writing (lyrics and/or melody)
back ground vocal arranging

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Languages

  • English

190 Reviews - 43 Repeat Clients

Endorse Sakari
  1. Review by Jacob J.
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    Woaw! Once again a brilliant recording! I normally don`t get emotional over my own songs, but i truly had goosebumps and wet eyes from this one. I can`t wait to work with Iantha next time.

  2. Review by Morgan W.
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    Iantha has an amazing voice and is an absolute pleasure to work with. I will be defiantly using her again for future projects I work on. Her turn around time for work is also fantastic.

  3. Review by Frank B.
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    Amazing job and beautiful voice

  4. Review by Todd P.
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    Sakari was absolutely awesome.

  5. Review by Benny’s Sound Design
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    Sakari is a amazing songwriter, creator and vocalist. San a mazing multi skilled singer, highly recommended and can't wait to work with her again in the future.

  6. Review by Bobby O.
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    Sakari is always awesome and easy to work with! I highly recommend her for all of your female vocalist projects!

  7. Review by Andy James
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    Killer voice and super easy to work with. Been a pleasure!

  8. Review by Michael Ross Catania
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    Sakari is super talented and great to work with! I highly recommend her! Great talent and professional !

  9. Review by KRAIZ
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    Professional and easy to work with!
    Recommended 👍🏻

  10. Review by Kobby I.
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    Sakari delivers another exceptional performance!

  11. Review by Sean F.
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    Sakari did a great job! Thank you so much 😊

  12. Review by Mario H.
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    Sakari was great on Lead & Background Vocals On My Remake Of "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield! Bravo!

  13. Review by Daren D.
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    An absolute pleasure. Professional, patient, high standard of work and punctual. Very happy and highly recommend.

  14. Review by Max B.
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    by Max B.
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    10/10 Amazing Voice and adapts well to anything you throw her way, Absolute pleasure to work with

  15. Review by Jens L.
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    Great voice, fast turnaround time and will help you get the best result!
    10/10

  16. Review by Anders K
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    Amazing singer, beautiful voice and very easy to work with! Will definitely recommend Sakari.

  17. Review by Jeffery C.
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    Sakari is both an inspiration and an incredible singer. I have enjoyed working with her, a true professional. Her vocals on my track took my song to the next level. I came to her for background vocals and she was kind enough to include a whole track of ad-libs as well. I’m truly and really impressed with the overall quality of her tracks. I highly recommend Sakari.

  18. Review by Randy H.
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    Sakari is a total pro! Great smooth voice that she records very well and is mix ready on delivery. Communicated well and delivered great vocal tracks. Highly recommended.

  19. Review by Irina A.
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    Sakari has an incredible voice and is a top vocalist, would love to work with her again!

  20. Review by Max
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    by Max
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    Amazing Voice and Talent Nailed it Instantly, a pleasure to work with.

Interview with Sakari

  1. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  2. A: I used Logic Pro X. I have Yamaha HS5 studio monitors, UAD Apollo Twin X, Magomi 1/4in cables, Audio-Technica studio headphones, Aston Spirit Large Diaphragm Condenser Mic , Kaotica Eyeball and M-Audio KeyStation midi board.

  3. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  4. A: I did a background vocal arrangement for a cover of song that I grew up listening to as a child. It was a song that shaped me and my musical ear. At first I was thinking, how do I even approach this with an arrangement that isn't corny or played out since I've known this song for almost 20 years. I was able to come up with something that I was really proud of. My arrangement was original, true to me yet true to the original song. The bgvs complimented the cover arrangement and the lead vocals. I felt as though I paid homage to the song in a very simple but beautiful way.

  5. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  6. A: I am currently working on a house/dance track for this DJ based out of Austria, a pop power ballad for a songwirter/producer based in Canada, lead vocals/top lining for an R&B track, and 2 rap verses for a Hip-hop track.

  7. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  8. A: Yes; Andrew Tufano, Sheila Foley, Lauren McClinton, Chloe Kat, Meredith Nee

  9. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  10. A: Digital because I am a millennial woman haha. I love the feel of analog but have never recored on analog tracks.

  11. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  12. A: I promise good quality, good communication, professionalism, a good attitude, enthusiasm.

  13. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  14. A: That I am living my dream and fulfilling what I feel is part of my life purpose as a singer/songwriter/vocal producer

  15. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  16. A: They ask me about turn around time. If it's a smaller job, any where between 1-3 days. If the project is a bit extensive, it takes about a week. My turn around time never exceeds two weeks unless already discussed before being hired.

  17. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  18. A: That I can create exactly the ideas that are in a clients head without a some detailed conversation.

  19. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  20. A: I typically ask will ask a client what inspired the track they've created. Do you have any song or artist references have influenced the track so that I can listen to them a get a better understanding? Do they have any preference for the style of singing? Do you have a deadline?

  21. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  22. A: Be as detailed as possible when explaining your ideas for how you want your track to sound.

  23. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  24. A: 1. Kaotica Eyeball 2. Sony- CG800 3. Apollo Twin 4. Yamaha HS5 motors 5. MacBook

  25. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  26. A: I've been singing and performed since age 4. I've been writing and recording since age 12. I've pursued music by whole life and went to a four year university in Nashville, TN to study commercial music with and emphasis in vocal performance. I have recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue music full time.

  27. Q: How would you describe your style?

  28. A: Soulful

  29. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  30. A: I would love to work with an artist by the name of Samoht. He has a beautifully rich and textured tone. I would love to hear how our voices could sound together. Aside from that he is an amazing lyricist and vocal producer and I feel that I could learn a lot from his process.

  31. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  32. A: Leave space for every voice or instrument to be part of the musical conversation.

  33. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  34. A: I usually work on R&B, hip-hop, pop and house music. An often work on gospel inspired bgv arrangements.

  35. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  36. A: Bringing a clients ideas to life through my vocal arrangements and vocal performance.

  37. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  38. A: I bring life. Because my career as a vocalist began in a live music setting, I bring performance, emotion and story-telling in my lyrics. The quality of my voice is rich in tone, soulful, clean and controlled.

  39. Q: What's your typical work process?

  40. A: Once I get the materials from the client, I spend time listening to the track, thinking about/getting down some initial ideas that come to mind. I then send over a rough demo of my thoughts just to get feedback and to see if I'm going in the right direction. After I get the feedback, I make whatever changes need to be made. I do 2 free revisions and any revisions beyond the 2 free are an additional cost (TBD). Once the client is happy with my contribution, I send then all the fabled files in a zip folder and promptly give the client an honest review.

  41. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  42. A: I am very inspired by Raphael Saddique. He is a producer, arranger, vocalist, multi-instrumentals and creates scores for movies and tv shows. I love his sound. I love his skill set. Other producers that inspire me are Dr. Dre, Prince, Rick Rubin, David Foster, J. Dilla, Baby Face, Rodney Jenkins

  43. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  44. A: I provide lyrics and/or vocals (lead and bgvs) for clients' unfinished songs and formative song ideas.

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Ride by Mocha

I was the Lead Singer, Co-Writer and Vocal Arranger, Co-Producer in this production

Terms Of Service

No features
2 revisions free, additional revisions charged at hourly rate
Turn-around time 1-2 weeks from funding
Files will be sent after job is marked 'Complete'
Closed Saturdays
Thanks!!

GenresSounds Like
  • Ms. Lauryn Hill
  • Erykah Badu
  • Gloria Gaynor
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