Essex-based Filmmaker’s Blatella Films and middle eastern themed Restaurant Sababa based in Southend have created the Sababa Sessions – a way of aspiring artists and musicians getting the much needed content they need to help push their careers forward.
The project is the brainchild of Blatella Films Owner Ben Scarsbrook, who was looking for a venue for a great idea he had to help promote the local growing music scene, which has now become the Sababa Sessions. Sababa is owned by Ella Sisso and her Fiancée and musician Jack Alcock. Ben and Ella were working together on a project with a local arts organisation, and decided to start the Sababa Sessions in September 2024, as a way of giving something back to the local community by promoting singer-songwriters and artists in the local area.
The way the sessions work, is that musicians and artists can reach out to either Blatella Films or Sababa on Instagram and say “Hi, I’m a musician and I have songs I would like to share.” Ben and Ella then get in touch and invite them to come along to the next Sababa session in Southend to perform. The unique thing about the sessions, is that they are filmed live with multiple cameras under professional lighting, so artists also get a film at the end of the session. They can then use that film as part of their portfolio to get other local bookings and hopefully achieve something they want as a musician.
Ella says: “The sessions are really fun, because we normally get a few artists at the same time and the sessions are not specific to a certain genre or type of artist.
"It’s a really great and unique chance for artists to get content they need to help push their career. We all depend on content these days, and its sometimes difficult to always get that content. The sessions offer artists the chance to get affordable, super high-quality content, as well as a chance to perform to an audience. It also through its growth on social media, has brought new eyes to our small business and has introduced people to our food and drink offerings which has been a great boost.
"The sessions also give Sababa and Blatella Films a great chance to work together in the local creative community and support each other.”
Ben and Ella both feel it would be great to continue the sessions because they are getting such a great reception. The sessions have already attracted about 50,000 views just on Instagram and there have been about 30 sessions so far.
Ben says: “Our aim is to build this project and receive funding through Arts Council or other community arts grants. It would be wonderful if we could have the project supported in this way, to allow us to maintain the sessions for the community.
"The sessions are primarily aimed at getting the music out of Southend and into the world. However, we are not limiting this to Southend based artists. If you are, for example, in London or on a tour, and you can get to Southend on a day we are recording, we would love to see you.
"We think what appeals to the musicians about the project is that it is something different, with no pressure. This is a project we believe in, and we think there is capacity for it to grow.
"The views of the sessions already recorded show that people are interested so far, and it is doing what it is supposed to do.”
For more information on the Sababa Sessions or if you would like to take part in a future session, please reach out to Blatella or Sababa on Instagram:
You can also speak to Ben on Tel: 01702 416960 or Email: info@blatella.co.uk.