Rising Stars: Meet Sera Fae

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sera Fae.

Hi Sera, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
I started my musical journey at around 9 or 10, the way I’d like to believe a lot of Gen Z guitarists did; getting way too good at Guitar Hero. Back then I wanted to be like Slash from Guns n’ Roses, or Stevie Ray Vaughan. I think if I told my 10-year-old self we ended up becoming an alternative pop/dance artist and multi-genre producer, I’d probably think this future self jumped into the wrong timeline. 

My journey is defined by coincidences, big and small. It was because of the pandemic that I met my current musical partner, Sintoria, and we were able to form our co-production/writing duo, One Brain Cell, and make her upcoming debut album, Zenith. I started to writing, producing, mixing, and singing my own songs for the first time because I needed to pass an engineering class. I initially took vocal lessons because it’d make getting gigs easier! 

I will say, since I was 17, I knew I wanted to be the first woman to win the Contemporary Producer of the Year Grammy. The journey there has been entirely unpredictable so far. Even the journey to that goal was unpredictable. But I think I’ll get there somehow. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think anybody looking to pursue any kind of art can anticipate that the road will be rough. I am no different. I struggled quite a bit with confidence and a massive chip on my shoulder that came with often being the only girl/woman in the room. I felt like I spent my life being told by someone that I only got the opportunities I did because I’m a girl, or worse, because whoever was in charge was attracted to me. Eventually, I became a deeply secluded artist, an “I’ll show them” artist crippled by fears of rejection. I thought I’d never truly be seen by this industry as the skilled person I am, rather by the face or body I have. 

A large part of why I continue to home in my production and instrumental skills is because I have broader goals of working with other femme artists and coming up with diverse women. Everyone deserves to work with someone they can trust who believes in their talents, and I’d like to be that person. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a producer, songwriter, guitarist, and bassist. I specialize in anything alternative! Alternative pop, soul, rock, funk, RnB, dance, you name it. I consider myself an experimental artist overall. I’m just as inspired by D’Angelo as I am by Black Sabbath or from Kaytranada to Mitski. What separates me from other artists is that you can hear it in my work. 

At the same time, people haven’t heard from women in this way before. As of 2022, approximately 3% of producers are female. Even less so women of color. 

Just choosing to work with myself and other women is unique, and you can hear it, too. 

My most recent single BOY. is self-produced, and the most consistent thing I hear from those who’ve given it a listen is that it’s really different. 

How do you think about luck?
One of the luckiest things to ever happen to me was my parents’ divorce! Funny enough that painful experience was turned into a positive one, because I got my stepdad Mark Hollingsworth. He’s a composer and wood wind player of the highest caliber. He’s the one who set me up with my first computer and interface and has guided me every step of the way in my growing career. 

Out of everything that’s happened, when it comes to good luck in my life, the first thing that comes to mind is always Mark. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @serafae.wav
• Youtube: @beatslikeagirl
• SoundCloud: @serafae_wav

Image Credits
Venniel Nephew