‘this feels like a step in the right direction.’
Sabreen is an author + singer-songwriter based in Auckland, New Zealand.
A writer since childhood, Sabreen crafts tales through poetry, song and literature. She released her debut single ‘Can’t’ in July 2020, and in the following years has released music across folk, indie and pop soundscapes.
Proudly Bangladeshi and Muslim, Sabreen is a fierce advocate for her community, which often finds its way into her music: her single ‘still love you’ featured tabla prominently in its production.
‘Glow’, an indie-pop ear worm produced with Auckland pop producer Will Henderson, was selected as a semi-finalist in the famous International Songwriting Competition 2020, which saw over 26,000 entries worldwide.
On 15 July 2022, Sabreen published her first book: ‘spring clean’, a collection of poetry. Illustrated by Alice Waldow, the anthology tells a deeply personal story of healing that resonated with readers around the world. It is now available worldwide from booksellers including Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Booktopia, and more.
In 2023, Sabreen released her debut EP ‘room service’, created with Auckland producer Sophie Bialostocki. Singles such as ‘still love you’ and ‘victory’ enjoyed radio play across New Zealand, including a live performance on 95bFM’s Fancy New Band segment. Her first headline show at BIG FAN was a huge hit, and she opened for Prateek Kuhad’s Silhouttes Tour in September 2024. In June 2024, she received funding from the NZ On Air Pan-Asian grant for her song ‘Countryman’, which released on Friday 20 September 2024. Produced with Nate Selway, the song seeks to shed light on the Asian New Zealand community by telling the true story of Joe Kum Yung, a Chinese-New Zealander who was a victim of a hate crime in 1905. A music video has also been created and released with Angle3 Pictures.
At present, Sabreen is studying Law and Arts at the University of Auckland while writing and producing her own music. She is currently creating new music, delving deeper into political matters and darker soundscapes. As she combines her passions for music, literature and human rights, the future is looking bright for Sabreen as she transforms her dreams into reality.