notes that swoop, things that are jazzy and raw, different laughs, the beats that make me dance or drive 95 mph, warm and round vibrato, the blues!!! honesty, raspy subtlety, birds singing, rain falling, echoes...
and umm...pretty much everything else too.
Sounds Like
"The perfect blend of Joni Mitchell and Ella Fitzgerald." ~ Ron Bowen, program director, WXRV 92.5 the River
“I believe she’s a young artist that our listeners should know about, and I love the fact that she’s an artist with a social conscience. She’s a local singer to watch, that’s for sure.” ~ Candy O'Terry, WMJX Magic 106.7
“Sarah Blacker’s voice is sweet, clear, sharp, and precise, supple, happy, and full of mischief. She sounds like a street-savy urban vocal busker with world-class voice training." ~ Bob McKillop, mainefolkmusic.com
“Blacker’s songs are arresting for their honesty and immediacy, not to mention her skill at turning a phrase, and those gorgeous pop melodies. Blacker’s voice is alto/soprano with an engaging childlike quality, yet she uses it with utter confidence, affecting sweet intimacy in places, strength and resolve in others, and quiet passion in tunes like “Bad I Been.” And her lyrics and unique and compelling" ~ Jay Miller, the Patriot Ledger
“I like Sarah’s disc; she certainly takes you on a ride. I started hearing a Natalie Merchant-type timbre… Another complimentary aside to Sarah’s voice, I might mention Dolores O’Riordan. Sarah has produced a quality work with a great understanding of what it takes to deliver a musical message.” ~Mike Loce, the Noise, Boston
“Sarah Blacker is a bright light. Her performance is a wonderful combination of her varied musical talents and brilliant personality. She invites the audience in and treats them to an intimate musical connection.” ~Anna Maria Tocci, owner/booking North Star Cafe, Portland, ME.
A FEW THINGS FANS HAVE BEEN SAYING: "If only we had another Woodstock, we'd have the next Joni Mitchell."..."This generation's Tracy Bonham."..."The kamikaze karate kid."..."A breath of fresh air, in a furnace of pop hell."..."The female version of Maynard James Keenan."..."A rabid bad-ass!"
"I am blinded so stupid from your songs that I could be robbed at gun point...willingly. When listening to the soul of your songs I feel like I am safely aboard a hot air balloon flying up and over things dangerous and beautiful. And I am smiling looking out and over these collisions, and I am saying WOW so this is what a balloon ride is like. Your songs do resonate long after the singing ends." ~ myspace fans- locally & internationally.
DO YOU LIKE ME? I LIKE YOU!
YOU CAN PLAY MY MUSIC ON YOUR PODCAST...just CLICK HERE
*Buy 'The Only Way Out is Through' on i tunes now!*
Sarah Blacker will make you dance a jig in the street, while she stomps, claps, and cheers you on! She'll get a kick out of the way the beat moves you, and will be equally as moved. She'll even make your toughest bassist cry with the amount of passion she pours into each musical note she produces. She'll treat you like an old friend before a show and stop you dead in your tracks once she starts to sing. Sarah Blacker has written over 400 songs, and toured nationally, playing to sold-out audiences in Cambridge, MA, Lawrence, KS, and New York City to name a few. She's been named a 'River Rising Star' by WXRV, Boston's Independent Radio, 92.5 the River, "An artist people should know about" by Magic 106. 7's Candy O'Terry, and "A very, very, gifted singer/songwriter," by WAAF's Carmelita. She's also regularly called, "the perfect blend of Joni Mitchell and Ella Fitzgerald."
At age 17, Sarah Blacker spent sleepless nights yearning to learn how to play the guitar. After two months of attempted lessons, her teacher told her to forget about lessons, as she wasn't practicing technique, she was writing song after song after song. She eventually taught herself a boatload of strange chords and rhythms, which she now crafts to fit her every whim.
A classically trained vocalist, pianist by ear only, and ballet dancer since age 8, Sarah has always kept her sights set on the stars. Berklee College of Music in Boston accepted Sarah early, and there she engaged in intensive Music Therapy studies, spending upwards of 7 hours/day cradling her black Martin guitar in the corner of a tiny practice room. As a vocal major, Berklee also taught her vibrato, swoops and jazzy vocal inflections to add to her box of vocal tools.
Ms. Blacker is currently touring in support of her debut full-length album, 'The Only Way Out is Through,' recorded and co-produced by Rob Loyot for Perriello Productions at Noise in the Attic Studios- Scituate, MA, and (also mixed by) Sean McLaughlin of 37' Productions, Rockland, MA, and was mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering, Boston. The album has received both praise and acclaim from radio, press and booking individuals since it's public release this summer. With 6 CD Release Parties underway, and big plans for the future, this album is making its mark both regionally and nationally, putting Sarah Blacker on the map as a true talent, and artist to watch!
*Sarah has performed live on Boston's Independent Radio 92.5 the River, Magic 106.7, WMVY Martha's Vineyard, WAAF Boston, WCIB Hyannis, WSCA Portsmouth, Gillette Stadium's Patriot Place, the Lizard Lounge & Middle East Downstairs Cambridge, MA, the Livingroom, NYC, One Longfellow Square, ME, the Granada, KS and more. She has shared the stage with Vince Welnick, Grateful Dead keyboardist; Sara Bareilles; Paddy Casey; Marc Broussard; Laura Veirs; Liam Finn; Apollo Sunshine; Greg Hawkes of the Cars; the Rustic Overtones, Michelle Malone of Lillith Fair; Big Leg Emma, and many more...
Sarah Blacker is also a Board-Certified *MUSIC THERAPIST* for children of all ages in hospitals, afterschool programs and home settings!!! The children I works with have been diagnosed with Autism, Asperger's, different forms of Cancer, chronic illness, ADHD, other PDDs, as well as varying levels of trauma.
Music Therapy is the application of music by a qualified individual, with the clinical intention of improving quality of life, as well as attaining goals related to cognition, social skills, expressive and receptive language, fine and gross motor skills and balance, self-expression, and academic skills such as attention to task, and memory. Music Therapy is flexible, adaptable, and often process-oriented. The therapist uses the primary instruments of guitar, piano, percussion and voice to work with individuals of all ages with a variety of different diagnoses and needs, utilizing each of their strengths to improve their well-being in a holistic manner.
"I like the fact that Sarah is a music therapist, it’s extremely cool. Finally the world is waking up and realizing that music is not just a flagrant plastic commercial throwaway. I’m sure study of music as therapy certainly alludes to the elusive quality of quality, to tongue tie a phrase for you." ~ Mike Loce, the Noise, Boston
Hey good luck with the cd. Unfortunately I am using the internet via phone or I would have bought it on i tunes. I'm sure its awesome! Drive safe while touring and I hope to catch you at Benji and Jakes...take care!
Hey Sarah, long time no talk! Looks like your music and professional careers are continuing to blossom nicely. I would love to see you again soon. Take care!