Sarah Sample

A New Year

2012-01-02T21:33:00.000-08:00

I have heard the lists starting around me
the 'I will lose weight, stop smoking, learn french
run a marathon, start obeying speed limits'
(ok. I've never heard someone say they want to
drive slower except my dad, but you get the point)

I found myself a few nights ago sleepless
and filled with a sense of anxiety over how this
new year is going to look. How is the birth of my new
baby going to go? How much time should I take off?
How will June do with another little person taking
all my time? Will my music career sink into the depths of despair?
How am I going to pay off loans? What if I died tomorrow?
I need to be writing more songs. How should I fund my next
album? How can I be a better mother or friend or wife....
Pretty much a non-stop mental chatter of concerns
that I could hardly control or figure out at 2am.

When I was pregnant with June I went to a birthing
class led by a wonderful mid-wife from South Africa.
She introduced the idea of creating a 'birth plan' that consisted
of what I wanted the birth to look like and a set of
instructions or intentions for those around me to help
me meet that ideal. Now, she also said that no matter what, it is most
important to be flexible with your ideas of birth because most
likely it will not all go as planned. That was true. My experience
birthing June was nothing like I planned or wanted.
But as I have been thinking on how I would
like this next birth to go, my previous lengthy list has distilled
to one thing:
I want to be present.

Forgive my pregnancy analogies, but when I could not sleep
the other night due to mounting anxieties, I had the thought
come to me that I just needed to 'be still, be present' this year and it would
all be ok. My birthing intention could extend for the whole year.
It won't look exactly how I plan or want all the time, but if I am
present in the moment and open to the beauty around me it will
be more than alright. I spent my New Years Eve in Zion. It was quiet
and beautiful and still. So I think I am on the right track, at least
2 days into 2012.

Anyone who knows me, knows that one of my favorite
songwriters is Patty Griffin. Her song "Nobody's
Crying" seems to have hit a chord in my heart thinking of
all these things... Enjoy. Happy New Year Friends, know
that I wish you well....

xo
sarah

"...But darling, I wish you well
On your way to the wishing well
Swinging off those gates of hell
And I can tell how hard you're trying
And just have our secret hope
Sometimes all we do is cope
Somewhere on the steepest slope
There'll be an endless rope
And nobody's crying

May you dream you are sleepin', in a warm soft bed
And may the voices inside you that fill you with dread
Turn the sound of thousands of angels instead
Tonight where you might be laying your head"

Holiday CD Special!

2011-11-21T12:39:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone...

My husband asked me for my Christmas Wish List last night...
That means that some people are together enough to be
buying or planning what they will give to their loved ones.

If you love music, especially if you love MY music I will make this easy.

All 4 of my records are now ON SALE. Like a real sale.
All albums are only $10 each and I will give you FREE Shipping.
I will even tie a bow and sign them to anyone you like...
Also remember if you buy the physical copy, you get a free download
version right away.

And if you prefer downloading, all my records are only $5!

Click here to start filling your stockings....

http://sarahsample.bandcamp.com/

I have boxes of albums, and my husband would like more garage space....
So, order away.

xoxo
s

Big. Big. Getting bigger news!

2011-10-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

My big news is growing into larger news by the day.
Yep, I'm gonna have a baby, and we are delighted!
I am due the first week of April, and I think I am finally
breaking through the "feel like I am going to vomit 20x a day" phase.
If you have seen me at a show and wondered 'why the weight gain?'
or 'why is rubberband is holding her jeans together?' now you know.

I will find out boy or girl in the next few weeks, and I feel
excited at the prospect of either. I think it's a girl, but that
probably is based on June's psychic powers.
Yes, you read that right. June is actually the one
who told me I was pregnant before even I knew.
She walked up to me one day, put her hand on
my stomach and said...
J- Mom, you have a baby in your tummy.
Me- Sweetie, there isn't a baby in my tummy.
J- No, there is. (said totally matter of fact, and then she trotted off)

I brushed off this encounter until the same conversation happened
the next day with this variation:
J- Mom, you have a baby in your tummy.
Me- Oh really, is it a baby boy or girl?
J- It's a girl.
Then 20 minutes later one of my dearest friends, Sarah Powers, called me.
She told me that she had the strongest feeling that
I was pregnant. Sarah and I grew up together in Santa Barbara,
and when I found out I was pregnant with June, she found out she
was pregnant with her daughter Allegra. Our girls were born a
week apart and I feel like she has been essential in my journey
through parenthood. So when your best friend since you were 10 years
old/parenting mentor backs up what your three year old
has been telling you for two days....it is time to get a pregnancy
test. Or two.

On that note, I've canceled all my tours from January on that required
traveling far. I am looking to fill some of those dates with house concerts or
holiday house concerts in the states of Utah/Idaho. If you are interested in
having me come sing to you and yours just email me at sarah@sarahsample.com
and I will guide you through each step.

So, thanks for your support on this journey of being a mom and a musician
and making it work.

xo
sarah + 1

The Wind Rivers

2011-09-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~John Muir, 1913

Every summer for the last nine years my husband James has taken me on
at least one backpacking adventure.

This year we choose to return to one of my favorite places;
the Green River Lakes in the upper Wind River Range in Wyoming.

We came to the Green River Lakes a few years ago, and
I told James that I wanted to return with my family. All my siblings
have real jobs or are in school and I think our last family 'camping' experience
involved a rainbow gathering when we were in grade school, no backpacks,
and a 50 lb canvas tent we only managed to drag to the trailhead. They all
have a love of being outside and hiking however, and I knew that if I could
get them to come, James could outfit them and be a great backcountry guide.
My stud of a brother, John, was on board from the beginning and he brought
his wonderful girlfriend Kelley. My Dad even came last minute despite having
foot surgery a few weeks before.

The leaves were changing to brilliant patches of gold and orange on the mountain side and seemed to be our companions on every step of the hike. The nights were cold but the daytime felt perfect. We fished, we ate good food, we told hilarious stories around a campfire, and my Dad brought his big medium format cameras to capture it all. I don't have those photos yet, but here are a few that we took...

It felt wonderful to get away from our busy lives. To have time to read a chapter in a book or sit under the aspens with a crisp apple for lunch. I loved watching James on this trip, he was in his true element and was always concerned to make everyone comfortable. The sounds of whistling leaves, waves lapping the lake shore, birds singing, and the fire cracking. Like John Muir said, I felt my hike outside was really a walk going in.

James & I at the Trailhead

My Dad, John, Kelley, and me

19 in Lake Trout. woot woot.

Upper Green River Lake, and our campsite

Hike in at lower lake, Square Top Peak is in the middle

Our dog Noodle during a cold morning, I gave her a shirt. ha.

yellow aspens on the drive out

Where is your favorite place to backpack or hike?

xo
s

Song School

2011-09-08T20:32:00.000-07:00

My daughter started preschool a few weeks ago. Backpack and all. Show and tell. Art projects everyday. The first few classes passed without incident. Then trouble came in the form of a restless 3 year old boy. Said boy pushed her in line and kicked her twice while sitting on the mat. This has led to very turbulent meltdowns on the days when it's time to load up for preschool. Somehow we make it to school and when I pick her up she has had a brilliant day and wants to show me all her works of art. Never-the-less the break down comes again the next time we have to go. Any advice ????

Today on the way to school I pointed out that everyone goes to School. Big kids and little kids. Even mommy goes to school.

My school happens for a brief week in August every year, tucked in by the St. Vrain river in Colorado. I've been attending The Rocky Mountain Song School for 9 years. I pulled into the campground the first year at 2am with my sister and cousin. It was dark, we didn't know where to park, where to camp, or if anyone would want us around. Within a day we were making friends and finding out how hard it sounded to actually make music a successful career. At night there were song circles, and we would stay up late inching our way closer to the inner circle begging the stars for chance to sing a song. Some circles were so big it would take hours to go around one time. We didn't care. We could feel the energy of something wonderful happening and wanted to be part of it.
Every year I go I learn something new about the craft of songwriting and about myself. My friend Christopher Smith (who is a brilliant songwriter) once told me that he never goes into the week with an expectation, because the right thing always shows up. I would have to agree with him. Many songs that have found a home on my records were started or finished at song school including: Noah, Never Close Enough, Mercy Me, & Every Time I Go. The place is swarming with nice people who would drop everything to give you a hug or a moment of their time to hear about your break through in Mary Gauthier's class (note: everyone has a break through moment in Mary's class).
I have sat at the feet of songwriting giants like Darrell Scott, Josh Ritter, Mary Gauthier, and Over The Rhine. And I have stayed up to watch the sunrise sharing songs with dear friends in a circle or silo. In a way, I've grown into being a songwriter by attending this school. I treasure it with all my heart. I love the staff at Planet Bluegrass, I love the priority they give to the development of the artist. Every one is welcome and I always feel like I am coming home.

(Playing the Wildflower in 2010)

I have made some pretty amazing friends over the last decade at song school...They are my biggest treasure of all.

xo
s

musical family

2011-07-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

I am often asked if I grew up in a musical family.

I found this photo yesterday in an old banana box
full of photos that belonged to my grandma.

I think it you have your answer.

I am in the case. Kate is the big sis by the piano.
I want that piano again.

xo
s

ps: Did you grow up in a musical family? If so, what was it like? Early piano lessons? Did your mom make you learn a harmony part for a christmas song? Did you have a family band, please tell me you had a family band! Were you encouraged to write songs? Fill me in.

summer festivals!

2011-06-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

This may have been one of the craziest weeks of my life.

The last seven days have included:
(june decorating the uhaul)

-MOVING to Salt Lake City, and all the
packing-cleaning-heavy lifting-and sticker
removal that goes with it. We will be here for
three years for my husband's job.

-DRIVING from:
Boise ---->SLC (unpack truck)
SLC--->Boise (Play Alive After 5)
Boise--->SLC (back to house o boxes)
SLC--->Cedar City (rocking Groovefest)
Cedar City---> SLC (back to house o boxes)

-MUSIC MAKING
The best part of the week was making music.
I got to play the Alive After 5 summer concert series in
Boise with The Brothers Comotose. Thank you GO*LISTEN*BOISE

(photo by Jess Haskell Norton)
Next was the Utah Arts Fest with the full band. I have wanted to play
the Arts Fest for years and it was so lovely. We had a full crowd,
and playing music with Dylan, Ryan, & Pat always
boosts my happiness level to new heights. Thank you
Arts Fest for having us, and thanks to
Dan Nailen at City Weekly for the including us in your write up!

I saw my friend Paul Jacobsen open for Sheryl Crow
at Red Butte Gardens. He killed and the scenery up there is stunning.

(photo by James McDonald)
And I got to finish my weekend off by playing Groovefest down in Cedar City.
What a cool festival, the feeling there is really welcoming and relaxed. Big Thanks to Tim and Lisa for having me. I loved it!

NEXT UP:
ROOFTOP CONCERT SERIES ON FRIDAY JULY 1ST at 8pm!
FREE IN PROVO! An incredible band has been pieced together to faithfully re-create the Beatles "Abbey Road" album. I will be starting the night off.

My inspiration tip this week: Listen to Tift Merritt interview Josh Ritter on The Spark.

xo
sarah

30 Years. Let's Play a Game!

2011-06-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

(baby sarah with grandma. nice hair grandma.)

Today I turn 30 years old.

In celebration I feel like playing a game.
The game is: 5 truths and 1 lie about my life so far.
( I may or may not love games and gambling.)

Ready? Ok, you guess the lie.

1. I have escaped a forest fire.

2. I once broke two bones in one day. Separately.

3. I hate eggs.

4. I've attended 4 rainbow gatherings. You may or
may not want to know more depending on how
comfortable you feel with nudity, camping, and trade circles.

5. I was the fastest girl in my grade school class.
Even won the 'annual turkey trot.'

6. Had a guinea pig once that ran away.
Came back a month later missing an eye.

Your guess is......

Anyone who leaves the right guess in the comments
gets a free download of any of my albums seen here.

xoxoxo
sarah

finding a bit of joy

2011-05-17T22:01:00.000-07:00

I had a moment of clarity on Sunday.
The thought came to me that I needed to
LET GO.
Surrender something over
to let something else in.

I am choosing to surrender worry right now.
I am choosing to let a quiet joy enter my heart.

I realized quiet clearly that I spend
a generous amount of time thinking about me
and what I want and what I don't have.
Not that I think I shouldn't be clear on what
I want. But I think that worrying about what I
want is a waste of space and time. Especially
when so much of the life I want is in front of me daily.

Frankly, there are so many other people and events
that deserve a spot of 'generous thinking' in my mind and heart.

Now it is only tuesday...BUT I have eaten good food.
I have been playing the piano and writing a new song.
We had some of our favorite friends over for Sunday dinner.
I have gone on a hike with my daughter and
bowling with my husband.
I have my family.

(family photo attempt while in Kerrville TX)

I have enough and I am enough.
I am happy.

xo
s

what are a few ways that you practice feeling gratitude and letting go?

Happy Birthday June!

2011-04-19T20:52:00.001-07:00

Three years ago today I endured a long hard labor
ending in a c-section to birth my beautiful daughter
June!
I had crossed the divide from one life to the next.
I no longer was responsible just for myself. I had
created life and my life would never look the same.

I remember feeling fearful about changes that would come with
bringing a baby into the world. And what is interesting
is that most of those fears never saw the surface. And those
things I feared that did show up, paled in comparison
to the bounteous love that was overflowing for the little
peapod named June.

I remember one night on my birthday, June was just
a month and a half old. I had felt left behind all day,
the celebratory dinner was a bust, I was an emotional wreck
from sleeping 2.3 hours a night since she was born. I felt
like all the people and places that I normally found comfort
in were a wash. Instead, I remember turning to June in my arms
for comfort. In fact, she was the only one who could
give it that night. Maybe it was because the love
I had for her was so pure and untainted that
she echoed that in every breath and glance? Or
perhaps her sweet small spirit radiated something
way beyond her 10 pound frame could contain?
Regardless, in my sorrow I found love---a pure love from my child.
It was a great lesson to me. June has continually taught me
truths in the last 3 years. She is my lucky star.
I have often found myself spontaneously laughing
or smiling while watching June live her life.
I will be forever grateful that this sweet girl
calls me "mom."

Happy Birthday June. May all your princess and fairy wishes come true!

ps. I remember my friend Dom a few years ago asked if June had entered the "princess" phase. I replied no, and remember thinking, "I don't think she will go through that"- WRONG.

pss. Me- June, what do you want for your birthday?
June- CAKE CAKE CAKE!
life. is. good.

xo
s

TRUE FANS

2011-04-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

How is it possible I haven't posted in a MONTH!?

Sorry.

So I've been thinking of late about the concept of "audience" and "fans."
I remember once as a kid watching a Michael Jackson concert on TV.
The screen revealed women crying and basically going into seizures at the
chance to touch his gloved hand.
I've watched the dedication of jamband followers, who literally
drive from concert to concert making each new venue a home.

I've been in crowds of Josh Ritter fans or Swells Season fans who
sing every word and are an integral part of the show.
I've watched a town pick a band to stand behind and every
show becomes the hip scene that you would be drastically
insane to miss.

So my question today....How does that happen?
What separates, in your opinion, music that you find enjoyable
from music that you would tell your friends about, or make sure
you waited in line to see the show?
Is it the songs? Is there something about the live show? Is it because
someone you trust told you, you must check out their tunes? Do your
favorite performers give back to their audiences?

Being around music as much as I am, I still feel at a loss sometimes
of pinpointing what is working and what is not. I know of many talented
musicians who I believe are deserving of a larger fan base, but how does
that connection happen?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Who are your
favorite bands? What about them makes you want to be
involved?

xo
sarah

PS. HAPPY RECORD STORE DAY! Especially to my own Boise Record Exchange and SLC Slowtrain Records. I was in SLC this weekend for shows and I saw some mighty fine bands play this afternoon. Worthy in my mind of your listening ears :)

12 years old

2011-03-10T22:56:00.001-08:00

can we all agree this picture is pure awesomeness?

I just found it and laughed out loud.
a few things to notice...

a. my sweet yamaha guitar passed down from
my mom's high school drama years

b. my sweet tie dye. if you didn't know me in
grade school--I will fill you in. There were many
tie dyes, batiks, fimo bead necklaces, leather
peace sign necklaces, troll earrings,
and the occasional taco bell fanny pack.

c. don't worry, the phone is the size of my head.
dear technology...you have come a long way.

d. the sweet previa van. this is also the van in which
i once ran over my brother. it's cool. don't worry, he is fine.

e. I love this photo, because starting very early in my life
I had a love for music and a desire to learn
how to write songs. I think I could learn a few things
from the 12 year old version of myself
about having the right intention and heart about life.

xo
s

Folk Alliance

2011-02-28T09:29:00.001-08:00

Last weekend I was in Memphis for the national Folk Alliance. The conference brings together musicians and music industry folks (radio, festivals, promoters, record companies etc). A few thousand people spend part of a week doing everything related to music. Three floors of the hotel are used as showcases floors, and every room magically transforms into a small listening venue. Musicians run from room to room performing original songs for all to hear. It is a bit insane, and really wonderful as well. It is great to connect with friends and house concert hosts and see musicians you have heard about but not yet witnessed. I left exhausted and yet so full of hope that so many musicians are finding a way to make a living doing what they love.

A few favorite moments:

1. Having the best roomies: Edie Carey & Mai Bloomfield. They both played incredible showcases and we all had a pretty ridiculous time singing together.

2. The Rendezvous: famous ribs. good friends. trolley ride...what more could you want?

3. Cover your friends round at the Market Monkeys room. On the last night after the last showcase, a group of musicians got together with the intent to play songs your friends wrote. It was pretty emotional. To have a friend sing your words and melody, strum your chords all with a new perspective...I could have stayed in that room for days. Friends covered friends like Natalia Zuckerman, Garrison Starr, Matt The Electrician, Edie Carey, Nels Andrews, Robby Hect, Rose Cousins...

4. Darrell Scott, Ron Sexsmith, Mary Gauthier, Eliza Gilkenson...yeah, they played and were so inspiring. Esp when Mary G. pulled out her guitar chord and walked into the audience to play her show due to sound problems. Mary--you are rad.

(mai, edie, justin, and ed on the trolley)

4. Open your ears!
My heart was opened again and again by incredible songwriters. Check them out if you haven't already...
Edie Carey- is such a pro, she is one of my favorite songwriters. She has a beautiful new album out...and you will LOOOVE it
Mai Bloomfield- mai was such a solid performer all weekend I was impressed again and again
Rose Cousins- that voice!!! Rose has collaborated with the best and is a true talent from Canada!
Ed Romanoff- Ed lives in NY, check out the song he wrote with Mary Gauthier called 'Orphan King'
Amy Speace- I heard a new song by amy that was dynamite, the title was something about "our love song" she has a new album coming out this spring, so be on the lookout!
Matt The Electrician- my first memories of Matt are when I saw him in Austin playing a show with the Weepies at Flipnotics. He was so good then...now he is pretty unreal.
Andy Gullahorn- such a great songwriter. the ability to make me laugh and then cry in the same song...don't know how you do that. LOVE his album "Law of Gravity"
Justin Roth- justin has a new album out that he recorded himself...great guitar player and beautiful voice
Ana Egge- I have heard Anna's name for years, but she played a showcases that had me in awe. The Steel Wheels backed her up and I wanted it to last longer...
Storyhill- such good people, good songs, and their harmonies are so dialed in...
Natalia Zukerman & Garrison Starr- so great together. I love when women rock at guitar.
Cary Cooper/ TPR--they have been writing songs a long time and you can tell in the best way....
Amber Rubarth- amber's is another name I have been hearing, her showcase was genuine and beautiful.
Ellis- opening hearts as usual!

The list could go on and on. I missed so many musicians I wanted to catch, maybe next year.
Thank you to Louis and everyone at FA for a great week!

xo
s

PS: want to join the mailing list? ok. just mosey over to the right side of the page...

stomp along

2011-02-03T20:12:00.000-08:00

When I was touring through Seattle a few weeks ago,
my sis (also a songwriter, who lives in seattle) took me
to her neighborhood open mic at Conor Byrne. She has
been going to this open mic for several years now.

photo by Eratosthenes Fackenthall
The place was packed that sunday night and I swear she knew everyone
by first name. It really did feel like a neighborhood pub
should feel. This open mic is especially a hot spot because it
is run by a member of The Head & The Heart--a really cool
new band that is taking the music scene by storm. Several
members of the band met at the open mic last year and soon
after formed the band. They were just recently signed by sub-pop records.
I love stories like this. I think I read Josh Ritter met Glen Hansard
at an open mic. Synchronicites like this are rad.

Photo by Eratosthenes Fackenthall

Buy the album here:

This band loves to stomp, and clap, and shout and involve the audience.
When they got up to play, the crowd got quiet, everyone pushed in close,
then the whole audience started stomping together...it was great to be
in a room where every member of the audience was invested in what was
going on. They had a few friends who grabbed attention on the stage, one being
a cool cat named Bryan John Appleby .

On another note, I participated in an event called The Song Bomb today.
My friend Tim organizes it each year, and every day of the month a
guest songwriter is assigned a topic and they write a song in a day. Tim then
also writes a song on the same topic that day. Today was my day.
My song is posted here. Having to write a song in a day takes away some
of the preciousness that sometimes comes with the territory. It is about
writing, but also about letting go of expectations and taking fear out
of the equation. I have some dear friends involved as well,
like Chuck E. Costa, Christopher Smith, and Mai Bloomfield.
Tune into all month.

xoxo
s

In it for the Money? part 1

2011-01-27T10:29:00.000-08:00

"There are hundreds of dollars to be made playing folk music.."
-Karen Savoca

Over the years of playing music, I've had many conversations
in, out, under, and around the topic of why choose this career?
Most friends I know who are making music for a living
are in a constant dance with debt. It is clear to me, that
anyone who wants to create music and have it be a major part
of their life, did not get lured into the business by
dreams of stock options and fancy cars.
And yet, we live in a society that shows what it
values with the currency of money. I believe that Artists
should be able to work at their skill set and make a living
doing it. So why isn't that a possibility for most in this country?
That being said, there are so many rewarding
aspects to creating music, one of them being the
currency of connection.

I love to perform and therefore touring feeds a part
of why I enjoy this career. But I realized again on
this last Northwest tour, that the gift of being on
the road is the opportunity every night to make a connection.
The connection is not just during the 2 hours on a
stage between performer and audience.
It is the conversations that fill in the gaps
from one show to the next, that is the true gift.

The thoughtful perspective on songwriting
Ryan shares while we make the 5 hour drive to Seattle.
It is the early morning conversation with Brad in
Angeline's coffeehouse about our favorite new artists.
The voices and ideas that fill the hallway in a historic
capitol hill home at 2am with a concert host who has dedicated
seven years of his life to promoting shows for independent songwriters.
The gift of meeting a music loving blogger, marilyn, who beyond
raising organic blueberries decided to start her own
concert series so she could share the live music
experience with her neighbors, other amazing bloggers, and friends.
It is meeting a woman who I felt I've known years instead of
minutes, and knowing somehow that I could trust her instantly.
It is the quiet that fills my car and the big conversations
I have in my head with myself while driving through changing landscapes.

xo
sarah

MORE to come soon on my northwest adventures like:

how hip is the seattle hipster music scene on ballard ave?
how amazing are a group of high school students in sisters?
which new songwriters blew me away?
what parking lots are safe to take a nap in your car
when the coca-cola isn't cutting it?

Aaron Copland

2011-01-24T21:25:00.001-08:00

Do you know this man?
Do you know his music?

Meet Aaron Copland.
Although I had heard bits and pieces,
it wasn't until collage that
he became one of my favorite composers.

Why? I honestly can't really put it into words.
All I know is that when I hear certain
melodies that he has composed
there is a visceral reaction in my body.
I have on many occasions found myself in
tears because his composition
has found it's way into the
very composition of my body.

So, this last week my piano instructor
gave me the assignment to learn
the music for the
"Coda" of Appalachian Spring.
And although I am so slow,
as the melody cautiously
found a way through my fingers
my vision blurred
and my heart is full because I am
playing music I love.

Listen to what I learning to play here and maybe even treat yourself to
the beauty of Aaron Copland's music:
(it is #17 on the list)

Who is your favorite composer??

xo
sarah

ps. I'll give you a full update this week on my tour through the Northwest. What a wonderful time it was!

FANCY SMANCY

2011-01-10T13:57:00.000-08:00

Hi friends.

Welcome to my new blog-- "Shadows of a Song"

ok. same blog, but NEW title (thank you mr. jacobsen)

and new fancy look.

and even my very own BUTTON

to share. wouldn't that look great on your

blog wall? yep, it would.

It feels refreshing to have

a new space in write in.

I didn't want to have my blog called

sarahsample.boring.blogspot.lame-o.com

and 'shadows of a song' is the title

of a song off my new record.

It is actually one of my personal favorites

on the record. Paul Jacobsen had his

hand in several drafts which is probably why

it made my favorites list.

The idea was using a song as the metaphor for love.

The first verse--

"once my love was a band, and you were the kickdrum

jumpstart my heart and we start to run

didn't care we were so young

we tried so hard

to play all the right parts

with our hands full of false starts

till the downbeat dragged us apart"

Each verse is a different relationship

and the singer is chasing

the idea of a perfect song or perfect love

and can only get glimpses of it with each relationship.

the chorus sings

"I hear it, then it's gone

melodies haunt me

shakes it's chains and leads me

on an endless marathon

I lose my breath, chasing

shadows of a song"

I think part of, if not the main purpose we

are on this earth is to learn to love.

We get chances everyday to do this

with our families

strangers

neighbors

and maybe the hardest relationship

to learn to love

is with ourselves.

Let's celebrate my new blog together.

My gift to you for dropping by...

a FREE download of

SHADOWS OF A SONG

plus, if you download this song...you will get your

heart broken by the harmonies provided by

Dustin Christensen.

Have a lovely week friends.

I am off to the Northwest, come

and join me at a show, or send your friends out.

Shows are selling out fast, so get your tickets soon!

(get your tickets here)

1/20 sisters

xox

Piano

2010-12-31T16:26:00.000-08:00

The ability that every human has to CREATE astounds me.
The fact that with our words, or melodies, with our hands,
or instruments, or imaginations
we can create something that did not exist before.
That just blows my mind.

I love a project. I love to make something beautiful.
I love the idea of learning a new skill.
If you ever were fooled into believing that I was
somewhat hip--this lie would be dispersed immediately
by learning that one of my favorite gifts this Christmas was
Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts.

I have already spent time pouring over new ideas and made
the mental checklists of what I am going to create next.
Guilding looked cool. I want to make candles. I want to buy yards
of pretty velvet and silk ribbon.I want to learn the art of Calligraphy
just so I could write you a letter, and when you opened it,
you would feel treasured just from the script covering the page.
I feel a real thrill about the newness surrounding a new year.
2011 will be lovely I think.

My grandma has inspired my latest ambition.
She is near the end of her life. She is completely
bed-ridden at this point and although she is unfailingly
positive and sweet, I hate to see her day in and out..unable to walk
or move, unable to sew her baby quilts or play Reader's
Digest Christmas Hymns.
She said she learned to play the piano as child.
Her mother would allow her to skip washing
dishes at night if she practiced. And so she did.
I am pretty sure she played the piano at her stone church
every sunday for 20 years.
There is an ache threatening to spread at the
thought of her leaving this life.

Because of her. Sweet Carol Price. I have decided to take
Piano Lessons this year.
My goal being that someday I will be able to sit
at a piano with my family circled round
and they will be able to pick any Christmas
song of their liking, and we will be able to sing
together and think of grandma.
How long do you think it will take me to
learn to sight-read? 2 years? 20 years?

My first lesson is in an hour. Wish me luck!

have yourself a merry little christmas...

2010-12-25T22:11:00.001-08:00

happy christmas.

today james was on call so we

woke up way too early to open presents

with the little bug before he had to go into work.

she loved her art easel, but more

she loved that Santa had eaten

the cookies she left out for him.

there is something very magical

about watching a child, especially

on christmas morning.

tonight we drove to the hospital to

bring James dinner. as we traveled home we

drove down Harrison Ave. which is a lovely

street with old historical homes

that all sport the most beautiful

christmas lights.

I nearly cried as I drove past

window after window of

people gathering around a table

or tree...sharing laughter, stories,

and good food.

I know that not everyone has a loving family

that enjoys board games and cider...

but my wish for all that I know

is that they spent this evening with

someone they love...

someone who loves them.

my sister flew in from Seattle

this afternoon. I love her

and I am fairly certain she loves me too.

and my little one today said over and over

"Merry Christmas! I love you mommy"

I loved it. even the 20th time.

time to be still

2010-12-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about the concept of slowing down and being still lately.

After a few months on the road singing songs off the new album,

I am home for a WHOLE MONTH! I know that doesn't sound like

much, but it feels like a huge amount of time to me.

While I was touring through California a few weeks ago

I played a show in the town I grew up in---Santa Barbara.

When you are driving from LA, right after you pass Ventura,

the 101 starts to follow the curve of shoreline

till you glide through Carpenteria, Montecito, then into Santa Barbara.

Every time I think--"I can't believe I grew up here."

I made an effort to go to Butterfly Beach 3 different times.

Each time I collected sea glass and pieces of pottery that the

ocean had rolled over and over till it they were sanded and smooth and wonderful.

I walked for hours and I have no idea what I thought about,

all I know is that I felt happy and everything around me seemed very simple.

Sky and sand and a setting sun and me.

I had a funny moment in CA where I realized that I was spending

a stupid amount of time trying to come up with a good 'tweet' or

update to my facebook. It is really lame. No one really needs to know

what kind of sandwich I am eating for lunch. Unless it is unforgettable.

So now that I am home I am trying to detach a little from that frantic energy

of feeling like I need to do and be a million things all in one moment.

I am trying to be a really present mother and make this holiday season as

memorable and meaningful as I can. It takes a conscious effort to not be

'plugged in' at every moment, but I am really loving reconnecting to simple things

like the sound of my daughter laughing and smell of cookies baking

and lights twinkling on my christmas tree.

I wish you a very happy holiday season.

ps: what are ways that you make the most of the holiday season? any great traditions my family should adopt?

My Oh-So-Grateful List

2010-11-27T19:53:00.000-08:00

There really is something special
during this part of the year.
I love the track of the calendar from
Thanksgiving through Christmas. It is
a good time to take inventory on my life--
to see what I can do better, and ask myself
-Am I Happy?-
-Am I living authentically?-
-And what am I grateful for?-

My friend
Dainon created his list last week
and I felt inspired to do the same. Thanks Dainon.

Here we go. Sarah Sample's List of Great Things to be Grateful for in the last year in no particular order:

1. I created a new album "Someday, Someday"

1a. Jed Wells' video documenting that journey. watch here.

2. James graduated medical school at UW
3. Playing the Cayamo Cruise with a few of my heros. Mai singing and playing Cello with me. Such an amazing week. Thanks CIYH.
4. Getting to Sing 'Mercy Me' with Darrell Scott singing and playing along. wow.
5. Meeting Marketa Irglova, and hearing her say my name out loud during The Swell Season set at Folks Fest. I was crying my eyes out. don't worry.
6. Broiled Grapefruit and apple cobbler in Imperial, NE
7. a thanksgiving feast in Texas
8. making time to write everyday for a new album
9. fake uggs from costco
10. In & Out arrives in Utah
11. Edie Carey and Mai Bloomfield singing with me in Chicago
12. song school and all the wonderful people who come year after year
13. buying my gibson hummingbird
14. recording my 3rd album with Scott Wiley
15. looking around the room while recording live "staying behind" and seeing the faces of all my friends helping me creating something wonderful. paul, ryan, mai, scott, brian, dylan, pat, tilby, dustin,& george...I thank you all.
16. the BEST indian food I will ever taste in Vancouver. Thank you Vij's. And thank you James for a delightful birthday overnight.
17. backpacking in the white clouds
18. singing with the lower lights
19. seeing john prine and guy clark
20. spending another year in beautiful seattle
21. my beautiful women friends
22. staying with katie herzig in nashville
23. such wonderful house concerts this year--thank you all who have hosted--above- one of my favorites with Cjane.
24. singing songs with my grandma. she still sings the harmony.
25. eating a wonderful homemade meal in brooklyn with my friends Max & Day 26. spending a few days with Marketa in NY...writing, singing, and drinking cup after cup of tea.
27. touring WY/NE with Ryan and Paul. I've never laughed so much on stage. 28. Junie the elephant. Come on---that is amazing!

29. our new house in Boise
29a. My sweet older neighbors Ruth and Speed who pass out full size candybars for halloween.
30. fresh basil from my garden
31. touring through Scotland and the Lake District with my dad and james.
32. The most incredible cheese and apple sandwich in Boot, England 33. Melrose Abby
34. playing freight and salvage with Melissa Ferrick
35. finding a free velvet green chair, meant for my living room
36. singing with my friend Beth Wood.

37. eating at my favorite restaurants with my sister in Seattle--Pair, Franks, Volterra, and Via Tribunali
38. every time I get to spend a night sleeping in my own bed next to my husband 39. singing back up on Edie Carey's new amazing album.
40. my 10-min a day writing group
41. my wildflower stage set at Folks Fest this year
42. watching my friend Paul Jacobsen sing his heart out on the Folks Fest Stage
43. taking a quilting class
44. nauvoo
45. meeting new people everywhere I go--Iowa, Chicago, Washington, California, Nebraska, New York, Boston, Idaho, Colorado, Texas, Oregon, Utah, Nashville, Montana, on and on.
46. my mom...she is the greatest
47. my daughter still sleeping a 12 hour night
48. June turned two! And says funny phrases like "Here I Are"
49. Driving into several sunsets on tour.
50. talking on the phone several times a week to a friend I've had since I was 10.
51. the listening rooms of Nebraska. and mccook's apple fritters
52. the world of americana in nashville
53. hot baths
54. ryan tanner's amazing ability with a camera and my album photo shoot
55. answered prayers
56. the office, modern family, watching LOST from beginning to end, project runway and top chef
57. the movie theater, frozen junior mints in popcorn
56. wonderful dinners out and in
57. good books on tape
59. eating dinner with my brothers and dad in austin
60. Fran's salted carmels
61. thanksgiving in wyoming and my McDonald family
60. my two favorite people in the world I could go on, but there are dishes to do :)
(anna, i made your butternut squash soup, yum yum)

xo s

What are some of your gratefuls?

Bieroc and Rehmsworld and New York

2010-11-13T23:46:00.001-08:00

In 2007 I won a songwriting competition at the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest. That day I also won the attention of my now friend-- Dale Dueland who runs The Bieroc Listening Room along with Matt Sehnert. They invited me to come play their series in McCook Nebraska. At the time I remember wanting to check it out, but as soon as I got home from that festival I found out that was pregnant and stayed pretty close to home those months before and after June was born.
The next summer I got to play the main stage at the folks fest in Lyons, and the whole family came, including pudgy 4 month old Juniper.
Dale found me again and re-invited me to come play his venue. Wow, thank you Dale for your persistence. The Bieroc will always be one of my all time favorite shows to play. The show is held at Matt's bakery, and the whole evening is an event to remember. I played my first show at the Bieroc almost 2 years ago, and I was so thrilled to come back with my fellow birds Paul Jacobsen and Ryan Tanner. Paul opened the show and played 3 killer songs. The audience was just fantastic and their attention made us play and sing better. Dale and Matt have also reached out to their surrounding communities and helped them start their own listening room series. To be able to cross a state and have several amazing listening rooms waiting for you is such a great gift. Thank you Dale, Matt, Tor, and your families for treating us as family.

Last night we played a wonderful listening room called Rehmsworld concerts, hosted by Tim Rehm. I played Rehmsworld on my first tour through Nebraska as well, so I knew we were in for such a great night. The audience was as awesome as I had hoped. One aspect that was especially touching was talking to folks who had been at the first concert and come back for more, several even drove hours to be there. It is so wonderful. We even were blessed to have part of our Song School family come out for the evening and join us on stage for our encore. Thanks Andy, Hope, and Emily!

We played our last show in Alliance Nebraksa tonight...
It is sad to see this tour end. We have been treated so kindly by so many that it is hard to leave. I know that great shows lay ahead, but thank you from the depths of my heart to the kind and gracious communities of Nebraksa who allowed us to sing to you. I hope that you felt there was something for your in our songs.

My last big thank you is to Paul and Ryan. You both are so dear to my heart. Thank you for bringing your songs and sharing them night after night. I think your songs are some of the best and deserved to be heard.

I am off on a red-eye flight to New York tomorrow night. (where can I take a nap?) I just added a show to the calendar where I will be supporting Marketa Irglova of The Swell Season at a small show in Brooklyn.
The information is here if you live in NY and want to come support us!
Tuesday Nov. 16--8pm
Zora Space

love and corn fields...

sarah

Smokin in Imperial

2010-11-10T22:34:00.000-08:00

Birds of a Feather Tour---- Day 2.
I-M-P-E-R-I-A-L

There is something about the corn fields that stretch on forever that
warms my heart. Passing through small town after small town,
each with it's own grainery feels romantic to me.
Maybe it is my farmer roots reminding me to remember
sleeping 7 people in my Grandparents 2 room blue tin trailer,
or summers spent riding wheel lines at sunset and chasing
cows with the four wheeler...
plain and simple, i love it.

We played a place tonight called "Smokin Leroy's"
I mean, you know it is going to be a great night with
that kind of name right?
It was. The room was full and the crowd was just
so great. They actually thought we were funny, or at
least Ryan and Paul were funny. The boys were
laying it down tonight..
I was laughing half the show.
Also, holy cow, amazing dinner....
carrots with ginger that would melt your heart
and homemade apple cobbler for dessert.
plus we get to stay at a sweet bed and breakfast called
The Imperial Inn--i get the sunflower suite all to myself.
wow.

Favorite Songs of the Night:
Paul--You're the Song (note- he played this gem on banjo
tonight and it changed the dynamic in such a great way, plus
he intro'd the song with a story about his kids and then said
"I wrote this for their mom" um. yeah, I did tear up on stage--
holly, you would have loved it!)

Ryan--"I Never Did My Best" I got the chills as soon as ryan started
this song. This song just won 1st place in American Songwriter Magazine's
lyric contest...see for yourself here.
Also, his version of "Highway Patrol man" by Springsteen
hit the air ringing.

Me--"Mercy Me" this felt raw and good tonight. Paul told me after
the show that he saw me really trying to look at each person, like
I was reaching for connection during the songs. This was true,
I did feel like I was reaching out more than usual tonight.

What a great series. Great Town. Great Food and on and on.

Thanks Imperial. Tomorrow night---McCook's Bieroc Cafe (one of my
favorite places to play music ever!) Tune in every day this week for
updates from Nebraska!

laramie. laramie.

2010-11-09T22:59:00.000-08:00

So almost 4 years ago James and I
lived in a little town called Laramie.
I worked as a waitress every night.
He went to his first year of medical school.
We met great people but our hearts almost
stopped beating from cold icy wind
that greeted us most days.
It did not help that the first winter
we lived there I heard many a folk
say something like "man, laramie
hasn't had a winter this awful in
two decades.."

Oh, maybe I haven't told you that
I hear that everywhere I move.
Not kidding, if I come visit your town
watch out. Bad weather is coming.
Happened when I moved to Seattle,
the first winter---record snow levels shut
down the city. Typical Trash.

And then tonight. The first day of our
Birds of a Feather Tour.
GUESS WHAT!???
Yep, first big snow storm of the year.
Cars sliding around. Ryan and Paul
told me only 20 times their feet were
frozen. Welcome birds...

BUT..the good folks of Laramie
thawed our hearts tonight at the show!
Thank you Kelli for hosting us and everyone
who came...we loved singing for you tonight.

Favorite songs of the night:
-Ryan's "peaceful mind"
and
-Paul's "two-headed heart"

Tomorrow: Imperial Nebraska

tales of tornadoes and ice storms to be continued.

the sun rose

2010-11-08T23:23:00.000-08:00

I have had some amazing moments on this CD Release tour.
From Lincoln to Chicago with the heartland of Iowa to fill the gap...
A week spent in one of my favorite states; Colorful Colorado.
Thank you each and every person who greeted me on the road and
became a home away from home.
And now I am about to embark on a tour with two of my favorite
musicians---paul jacbosen & ryan tanner---to one of my favorite states
to play music in---NEBRASKA (plus one stop in lovely laramie wy)

We went on a tour through Nebraska last year and called it
The Birds of a Feather Tour.
Usually when I tour I cannot afford to bring my band. But
I had the idea last year to create a series of shows where
three songwriters could split the cost, and become
the band for one another on the road.
This of course only works if you love the songs you are singing
everynight. I think the moon and stars of the songs that Paul
and Ryan write, and I love creating a set of music that has the diversity of 3 writers.

We will be posting about our Nebraska adventure day by day...
so check back in with us.

I will leave you with this sunrise.
Due to certain long days of driving between
shows, I have been on the road as the sun
is rising...
Every time I see the sky lighten with blues and yellows
then oranges and reds
without fail, I feel my heart stir with
feelings of openness, and thankfulness, and joy.
While I was in Boulder last week I got to visit with my
friend Theresa. She said "we get to write the script for
our lives. we cannot choose the how, but we can choose
everyday how we feel."
I had a moment of realization that every night
that I get to play music, I feel joyful, and that is
what counts.

CD Released.

2010-10-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely weekend of the first CD Release Shows

of the tour.

Here are a few photos taken to

warm your heart with memories...

Saturday night I was lucky enough to play a house concert

for my friends Courtney and Christopher Kendrick.

They invited a few close friends and I was reminded

how wonderful it feels to play to a room of people

who love each other. The band was great and I

felt like the music took everyone to a better place.

You can read more about the night on Courtney's blog:

http://blog.cjanerun.com/

courtney singing backup on "holiday" she was awesome

photo by Christopher Kendrick

ryan, myself, paul, and scott

photo by Christopher Kendrick

The First CD Release Night of the Tour was held at Pioneer Hall in Salt Lake.

The show sold out which always feels great. The band was just incredible.

One reason I love this album is because I love the talented people

who helped me make it. Almost all of them surrounded me on this special evening, and they were just amazing. 9 friends and players. It will remain in my mind as a favorite show.

I realized after the concert that I felt completely safe with this group.

I trusted them to treat the songs with care, and they did.

Thank you Ryan, Brian, Tilby, Pat, Scott, Paul, Dustin, and Dylan!

The crowd was fantastic, thank you everyone who came.

Thank you Jed Wells for the photos below!

Ryan Tanner opening up the evening..

Paul Jacobsen opening up the evening...

The band..

I decided it was time to pull out the lime green hat for this event.

James and I went to a specialty hat store while visiting

Edinburgh this summer, and I brought this little

number home...

My amazing band:

L-R

Brian, Pat, Paul, Me, Ryan, Dustin, Dylan, Scott, and Ryan.

Thursday I leave on tour. I will be bringing this group of new songs to Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Illinois, California, Oregon, and Washington the next few months. I will head out East next spring. If you would like to host a house concert and you live on the Eastern US, send me an email sarah@sarahsample.com.

Tour Info Here.

Also, I would love you to purchase this new album if you haven't already.

Buy it digitally for only $9.90

Or I'll send you the physical album in the mail for $13

Click here to order your own Sample of Sarah.

Trust

2010-10-06T21:28:00.001-07:00

I grew up in Santa Barbara CA
It was a lovely place to spend
a childhood.
I had great teachers, including
wonderful music teachers who always
encouraged me.
I wrote my first 'real' song in
5th grade. It involved a chorus and
a handful of verses and included the
deep and touching lyrics "we sit out
on the front porch and sing the day away"
a hit right? Well, my guitar/voice teacher
wanted to put this song on her upcoming
album, and I remember feeling "man,
this is it , I am about to become hugely
famous"
ha.
So although I was almost a hit writer in
5th grade, I feel like I am hopefully getting
closer to the mark with this new album "Someday, Someday."
Actually, there is a delusional aspect to being
a musician. Where are the landmarks to judge a career?
I am embarrassed to admit that there have been
several moments in my life of making music
where I think I am about to be whisked off to
tour buses, making mucho money, signing autographs
till my hand is tired etc.
The further I have gone in my career, the more
I realize that I am the one responsible for
my success. There is not time to wait for
someone else to determine if I can or should
make music.
Although I am not waiting for people to make
a career for me, I fully acknowledge that I
need help, community, encouragement, and
the belief that good things are coming. I take
an immense amount of comfort knowing there are
many musicians traveling the same road that I am,
and that I can call some of them my dearest friends.

On the eve of an album release, I have been
feeling waves of anxiety and fear. There is
a restlessness, itch in my gut like I am waiting to
hear the gun go off, so I can start running.
I have to remind myself that this isn't a race.
And honestly I don't want to know if there is a finish
line.
Yet, I know that releasing a new album of songs
into the world won't happen every day, or even
every year. It is a big event in my life
because I have created something of worth that
I am sharing with anyone who wants to listen.

So it comes down to trust. Trusting myself. Trusting
that I have been thoughtful in my preparation of the
songs, in the production, in the artwork, in the hired
hands to help me reach out. Trusting God. Trusting my
fans that they still want to hear more
from me. Trusting that good music does rise through
the sea of mediocre. When it comes down to it, I know
that songs have changed my life. I know that I
trust this group of songs.
I have treated the inspiration they
came to me with care. I know there is an endless
wave of new music coming at you. I guess I am asking
like everyone to be heard.
To be witnessed, starting Tomorrow.

To order the new album on tuesday, click here.
To see if I am touring through your city, click here.

xo
sarah

Doughnuts and a Movie

2010-09-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Hey friends.

I had a chocolate doughnut and a coke for a snack this morning and feel much better about the day. I'm not sure if I should admit this, but my mom used to take me for a doughnut every morning on the way to santa barbara jr high. Then in Health class we would talk about how you should NOT eat doughnuts for breakfast. And yet, I still love it. Thanks mom, for believing in me and teaching me the value of a good doughnut.

And as that relates in no way to music... back to business.

I spent an amazing week at the Rocky Mountain Folks fest and then last week went to Nashville for the Americana Music Conference. Americana is my kind of genre, no one really knows how to pin it down, but I will tell you that so many of the folks I LOVE are in it: Patty Griffin, Darrell Scott, Buddy Miller, Avett Brothers (pronounced like 'shave-it'-thanks mary gauthier for clearing that up, i'm still hoping someone can teach me to pronounce Bon Iver). Oh and did I mention that Robert Plant and his Band of Joy closed out the Awards show at the famous Ryman Theater. Yeah, I was in love all week. Nashville is cool town, I would move there in a heartbeat if I could, it really feels like you can reach out and touch the dream there. Stayed with my friend Katie Herzig and if you don't know her music, you should jump on itunes right now. She is touring with Brandi Carlile as we speak, so check if she is coming to a city near you :)

Another great project I am involved with is a group called The Lower Lights, it is part hymn, part revival and all awesome. The album just came out, download it, buy it, listen to it HERE.

I am still piecing together the tour...just added shows in Chicago (Uncommon Ground (10/28), San Diego (Lestats 12/2)...
and I am Seeking House Concerts here:
Bay Area in CA (Dec 1, 8, or 9)
Portland, OR or Vancouver Canada (Jan 17, 18, 19)

And now for the gift of the day...
Jed Wells has created a wonderful short film about the Making of "Someday, Someday" and it also includes what my life looks like, house concerts, and being a mom and a musician. It will be avail for purchase on Oct.12. BUT for now, here is a sneak peak into the makings of this new album. Enjoy.

love and doughnuts.

-sarah

the long climb

2010-08-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

(path to my campsite, pretty dreamy eh?)

I left 3 days ago to go backpacking with my husband up into the White Cloud Mountain Range (close to the Sawtooths). The hike in was steep most of the way, but like most climbs the view was amazing. when you reach the pass and can look back
and see where you have slowly struggled up and then you can look onto the next valley and see where you are going. it all seems so clear and so worth it. a perspective that seems rare in my life. being in a quiet beautiful place gave me a few days to let my heart soak in thoughts of what my path has been in life and frankly i don't know what vistas lay ahead, but i have a feeling they are expansive and beautiful and worth years of climbing. here is a little gift for the day.

jed wells, the talented man filming this musical journey sent me this video a few days ago. I want to share it with you all. during the week of recording someday, someday we stopped by diego's and after filling our bellies we sat in the parking lot and sang this song together. a huge bucket of thanks to CJane for sharing our music with your readers...we love you esp in heels. xo
s

ps. here is the new website. well, a place holder website. and if you live in utah, i recommend buying your cd release concert tickets early as i think they will sell out. you can do so on the new website :)
www.sarahsample.com

Someday Someday Album Cover & FREE download

2010-08-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

da da da da!!!

drum roll. yeah, that's good, keep going. hit a cymbal. perfect.

Here it is:The official Sarah Sample "Someday, Someday" album.
Thank you Ryan for putting this together.

And a little gift to you for coming over...
A FREE DOWNLOAD. yes FREE. of the song "Every Time I Go"
I hope you enjoy it. Leave a comment if you do.
Click Here to get your FREE song!

also, if hearing this leans your heart into buying the album...
Click Here and preorder!

Official CD release concert- mark your calendar.
Thursday October 14th
Pioneer Hall (old rock hall)
1137 W 7800 S West Jordan, UT 84088
7pm
Full Band

Photo Shoot for New Album!

2010-07-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

The album cover is a tricky topic. It can really make or break an album for me.
Here are a few examples of how this process can go horribly wrong:

In order to not be Sarah Goodbody and expose you to cajun music, I called on the oh-so-talented photographer/designer Ryan Tanner to take my photos for this album. You can check out his other work here.

I can't spoil the surprise of my Album Cover just yet...but here are a few pictures from our photo shoot. (We all know this post is for my mom but I hope you enjoy it too )

xo
s

what i'm doing tonight

2010-07-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

this is my view tonight
as I listen through the new songs.

I'm listening closely tonight.
not just for missed notes before
we mix the album...

I am listening closely to my heart.
it is beating along with every song
whispering that 'we did it.'
this is going to be such a great album.
I know that it goes over better if someone
else raves on the album.

but tonight my heart will tell you that
we did good.
really, it is so beautiful. I can't wait
to share it with you.
there is something that happens inside
you when you are fulfilling a dream.
seems your chest and mind open up
and everything in the world feels
right.

xo
s

Recording!!!!

2010-07-14T23:33:00.000-07:00

ryan tilby, me, paul jacbosen, brian hardy, ryan tanner

tilby, paul, ryan, mai

the incredible pat campbell

it wasn't all work. fun allowed too.

scott (nightrunner) wiley

appearing tonight: sarah sample & the girl muscles

it is currently 12:34 am. scratch that. now i'm back and the time is 1:05 am.
scratch that. it is now 1:42pm on the next day. ha.
everytime I sat to write this post, something came up.

we have been recording my new album this week.
i am pretty amazed how these songs are turning out.
i've been loving that we get to dress up every song.
i think we have really treated each song with care,
trying to hear what the feeling of the song needs to be
in order to translate the best way.

we have been working all day into the night.
I am floored at the level of talent everyone
brought to the sessions.
this album sounds pretty different
than my other albums.
AND I AM IN LOVE with it!

I definitely think that the songwriting is stronger than
ever. I really have tried to follow where the inspiration takes
me when I sit down to write, and not let the editor in my mind
jump into the process until later. I know that it is when
I stop worrying about how to write a 'good' song, and I
I just follow my own voice that the writing becomes something
of substance and truth.

I have
loved being surround and supported by such
good friends.

I can't wait for you to hear these songs!!!!

We are making a video about the process of recording
this album and what my life as a songwriter looks like...
Jed Wells even filmed a little song we played live out in a park...
that will be coming soon.

As for now...It is not too late to pre-order this album and get it weeks before
everyone else. it will also help me immensely to off set the cost of recording/duplication
up front. Click here to find out more.

here is a little taste of a song we recorded this week in the studio. We (as in 10-11 of us)
played every song together, live. there is something that makes my heart smile when I think about creating something that is really honest and true, that what you hear was really all happening in
that moment. I know there are a million ways to make a great record, but I have
loved feeling out this approach.
sorry, the lighting is not the best in this little clip, but you will get to at least have a little
taste of one of the songs :))
this is a song called "don't bury me" and the idea just came to me out of the blue. I thought about my grandpa who was a farmer, and he was literally tied to the land. there was no such thing as summer or christmas break, or paid government holidays. and I saw the character of the song as someone who had been born into a farming family and had inherited his land, but his grandfathers were all fishermen and his heart more than anything wanted to be on the sea. so it is a song about the internal struggle of a dream, that someone can feel they are destined for something and the realization that it doesn't always work out the way we want.
the chorus sings
"when they lay me down in a box
please, sail me out to sea
i've spent all my time being tied to this land
please dont, bury me. "
he reconciles his dream as maybe something that won't happen in his life...
enjoy.

xoxox
s

The Day

2010-07-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

TODAY

i start recording my fourth album.

I am excited, full of joy to play these songs

with dear friends and see them come to life.

I am hoping that what my heart is feeling

will translate over chords and microphones

so that when you hear these songs you will

feel something.

Then last night I saw that Brandi Carlile was

playing at Red Butte Gardens. I had to go.

She is such a great performer. AMAZING voice.

Great band- i mean, the twins!

And one thing that makes her stand out even more

is that she is a joyful performer and she is so complimentary

to her audience. She makes you feel good and important.

A lovely inspiration to start my week.

wish me luck.

xo

s

TRANSPOSE

2010-07-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

when I went into the studio for my second album
NEVER CLOSE ENOUGH
Scott was smart enough to hire a studio musician
who not only played really well
but one who could write up charts for my
song incredibly fast.

Budget cuts.

And now I've spent the last two nights after
junebug has gone to sleep 'charting' my new songs
so that when we all go into the studio on monday
the musicians can actually follow along to
what I am playing. For most songs I make two charts;
one for the people playing guitars with capos (which
changes the key) and one that has the real chords
of the key we are in for everyone else.

I am not very good at this. I understand of course
how to do this. But when you use altered tunings
or multiple capos, it really fogs up my mind.
So, I have already told the musicians entering
the studio, you may need to fix things here and there.
luckily...the people joining me are world class musicians
in my heart and mind, and I'm sure for them
the music math will be no problem.

Here is my all star lineup playing with me MONDAY! One reason that I LOVE playing with these folks is that most of them are songwriters themselves, or in a band of their own. I've linked their names to their own music. Check them out...you won't be disappointed.

Producer/Musician: Scott Wiley
Players:
Ryan Tanner
Paul Jacobsen
Mai Bloomfield
Dylan Schorer
Brian Hardy
Ryan Tilby
Dustin Christensen
Pat Campbell

Recording Countdown: 2 days!

ox
s

Songwriting with a toddler

2010-07-07T14:31:00.000-07:00

often I have people ask me WHEN to I find the time to
write songs.
usually I use June's nap time to write. sometimes
after her bedtime. ("sweet hour of naps, sweet
hour of naps")
but sometimes there is an overlap where I am trying
to finish something and she is roaming around.
this audio clip will illustrate.
so funny.

xo

Recording Countdown: 5 days

Want to help? click here.

The Lower Lights

2010-07-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

This weekend Juniper and I jumped in our car
and drove our first test trip to SLC for a
weekend of music.
The girl did amazingly well for a 5 hour trip
strapped in.
The purpose of the weekend was to play a
a house concert with a group I am part of
called "The Lower Lights" for a special family, The Clarks.
Last October a group of musicians got together
to record a hymns record. What took place was
pretty amazing. 5 Days. Over 30 hymns recorded.
Everything from old traditional hymns to hank
williams hymns.
The show this weekend was to try out our songs
for a really special family. I am so used to either
performing solo or as the leader of the band
that it felt really wonderful to be part of
a collective of musicians. And because most
of the musicians involved in the project are
perusing music careers of their own, I think
that the performing part felt almost effortless
and so much fun to have that much energy
on the stage.

The album is not released yet, but you can watch
a short video which I think will give you a feeling
for the group. Please go to www.thelowerlights.com
and enter your email address if you want to know more
about the release of the album, have us come perform,
get free downloads etc. And if you like what you hear,
spread the word.

The Lower Lights // A Hymn Revival from The Lower Lights on Vimeo.

Also, I did my album cover photo shoot this weekend with my talented friend Ryan Tanner. He wears many hats; my bandmate (keyboards/vocals), my graphic designer (designed Never Close Enough and Born to Fly albums), and he is a wonderful film photographer. Go to his website to check out his talent. http://myonetruevine.tumblr.com/
I may give you a sneak peak of what we came up with soon.

Recording countdown: 1 week.

xo
s

inspiration

2010-06-30T07:52:00.000-07:00

I've been writing a lot lately.
It doesn't mean I write a song a day.
But I've been trying to finish two songs a week.
The main practice that I've learned about the art of songwriting is
that you just have to show up. As often as possible you sit down and say aloud that you are ready. Sometimes nothing happens and you are convinced that you are horrible and your life is doomed to be mediocre.

Other days, the wells are springing up and a song is given almost finished. I generally always write with an instrument in hand.
This helps me find melodies that I enjoy playing and singing. Rarely a song comes that is complete. Most often I have to write what I want to say and then find a way to say it in a new way.

In the last month I've found
that I love listening to music while I
am writing. Hearing the craft of songwriting done well
while I am writing helps me to be better. Or sometimes when I
am writing I will remember a melody or lyric that I LOVE and I will find that song and listen to it. I've also been reading Bird by Bird by Ann Lamott. She is brilliant and funny and I find myself learning again to be graceful and forgiving in the writing process.

What have I been listening to this week?

*A lot of Tift Merritt this week. I love some of her melodies
and lyrics in her new album "See you on the moon."
*I always listen to patty griffin. She has been my favorite for a long time.
*inspired by an old Libby Kirkpatrick song
*Darrell Scott- he really is so good at every element of songwriting and musicality
*Brandi Carlile- I think she has a good hold on big choruses that are singable
*Josh Ritter- his writing is just genius.
* listened to wind one day, it took the song in another direction
*been inspired by the joy my daughter brings into my life

I've been recording words and melodies that come to me throughout the year. It has been interesting to watch them come to the surface again for these new songs.

how are you inspired? when do you write best? who are your favorite writers?

Lastly I will leave you with a speech given by Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of "eat, pray, love" on nurturing creativity. I love hearing about how other writers view this process. She had me laughing and relating to so many things. WATCH!

A gift for you....

2010-06-24T22:11:00.000-07:00

hey everyone.
dropped off the wire for a moment
in order to pack my house. clean my house.
lose my voice. sing two concerts. get my voice back
and move to Boise Idaho. I really like it here.
of course I miss my sweet Seattle, but I came to Boise
without any expectation. I find myself loving my neighborhood
which feels very Seattle-esque. I love feeling the sun everyday.
And got to see Jakob Dylan at a cool venue called The Knitting Factory a few days ago.
all and all...not bad.

It is getting close to Recording time with the oh-so-talented Scott Wiley. Scott has been the producer for my last two albums. I trust him. I love the music he has worked on (Bonnie Raitt, Ray LaMontagne, Paul Jacbosen, Atherton...). I already feel really good about this record, and I think it will turn out well.

Here is a little preview gift for you. Thanks for stopping by.

This is a new song called "Elisha"
enjoy.
xo
s

Great Britain

2010-05-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

James & Sarah in the Grassmarket-Edinburgh (iphone pic)

So my Dad has taken 5 or so trips over to Great Britain in the last two years. And my brothers have gone on every trip. Typical. Well my lucky card was pulled this time around and I was chosen, along with my husband James. James served a mission in England for 2 years and therefore was well versed with what a 'full english' meant at breakfast time and how to navigate the left side of the road while driving.

My Dad is a photographer. and an artist. and a history buff. Even though I am far from a photographer he got it into his mind that this would be a photography trip. Mostly Landscapes. Big heavy tripods. 2 digital cameras. 1 film camera. James and I each had a big Contax 645 (med format) with a lens by Zeiss and a PhaseOne digital back. We had a splendid time. I even tried Haggis. Got reunited with my sweet cousin Laura and her Fiance Craig McGann in Edinburgh. I left my guitar at home but had plenty of inspiration fill my heart. Here are a few images we left with:

Rape Field near Mull of Galloway
(these flowers are turned into Canola Oil, they
create a stunning contrast to the green pastures found
throughout Galloway)

James Climbing at the Langdale Boulders
(James and I both loved the Langdale Valley in the Lake District)

Lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway
Built by in 1830 by Robert Stevenson, grandfather to
Robert Louis Stevenson.

Cliff by the Mull of Galloway
Southern most tip of Scotland. You can see Ireland
across the water.

Galloway Forrest Park

Galloway (iphone)
This part of Scotland secured it place in my heart forever

The Edinburgh Family:
James, Me, Clark, Laura, Craig

James found a special connection with the St. Giles Cathedral
in Edinburgh. It has some of the most beautiful stained glass windows dated
back to the 19th century.

Laura took us on a walk up Arthur's Seat overlooking
Edinburgh.

We crossed two mountain passes to enter this valley
where we found the beautiful village of Boot.
We stopped in at the local pub and I had the
best local cheese and apple sandwich ever made.
on earth. ever.
If you are ever in the Lake District, go to Boot!

We had a lovely trip. Spent the last two days in London going to 4 different Museums. My favorite was the old Britain Tate Museum, specifically the J M W Turner paintings.
I had about 28 breakdown over missing juniper. only 4 involved crawling into the fetal position.
it is possible that trying to travel the 22 hour journey home with juniper could have caused the same amount of breakdowns in the fetal position.

working on songwriting. more on that to come.

xo
s

Texas, Texas in the summertime

2010-05-09T21:03:00.001-07:00

i was in texas last week playing a few shows. the weather was a dream. wildflowers following you everywhere you went. saw my good friends cary cooper and tom prasada-rao in dallas. played paul barker's house show in austin and was surprised by a few friends who had driven so far to be there. i even got to play a sunday fireside to 200 kids and have a chance to share my story. got to visit my lovely family who lives in austin. and did i tell you that i am making a short film about the making of this album and what my life looks like? well, i am. my amazingly talented friend jed wells flew to austin to take some awesome footage. if you want a copy of this dvd...just pre-order the album here!

being in texas makes me think of kerrville.

last year i was a finalist in the kerrville folk festival newfolk contest
i had dreamed of being part of that festival since i was in 8th grade.
my grandparents live near kerrville on the guadelupe river.my family
spent part of our summers on that river. staying up late. falling in love.
going to rodeos. fishing. swimming. and singing. always singing and guitars.

my cousin fran and my sister kate and i would lead the family in singing cover songs late into the night. brown eyed girl. closer to fine. helplessly hoping. angel from montgomery. the nightly sing alongs fueled the fire in my heart. they made me feel a kind of joy you can't take too lightly in this life. the way i felt on the guadelupe river, singing good songs with the harmony of my family filling in the gaps, i remember that i wanted to feel that again. honestly, i feel more joy in singing good songs with people i care about, than i feel in most other areas of my life. i take that joy seriously. i want more of it. to me it feels like a confirmation of what i am supposed to be doing on this earth.

we are entering the summer months again. we are entering the season where on the guadelupe river a 12 year old can feel a hint of a really big dream and believe that someday it will come true.

so did i tell you that i am going to england and scotland? yep, it's true, i leave tomorrow.
not a music trip, but i plan to be inspired while visiting the lake district where many writers have been inspired...
including william wordsworth who wrote 'i wondered lonely as a cloud...'
and beatrix potter had the her charming books take place in the lake district...

xoxo,

s

my first video blog!

2010-04-24T18:07:00.000-07:00

Click here to learn more.

Can't you tell 'how excited' I am.
Oh forgot to mention that when you pre-order the
album, you will receive
your signed copy one month before it is released!

You know when you hear your speaking voice
recorded ....and you always think 'is that what I
really sound like?'

this is kinda like that. only now I get hear
AND see myself. ha.

xox
s

flash before my eyes

2010-04-18T21:24:00.000-07:00

I know this may sound strange

but I have been having

flashes of my life come to me

for about a week now.

It started after a concert I played

in Logan last weekend. I had the 90

minute drive back to my mom's house

and I was listening to an old

Indigo Girls mixed CD I had

found in a box. Considering

that I grew up loving the music

they made I just smiled

thinking about singing "Mystery"

in the car with

my best friend Sarah

as we crushed on boys and

dreamed of them falling for us.

Then "Ghost" came on and

I found myself smiling thinking

about myself in 8th grade,

trying to learn the chords

so I could play that song myself.

My friend Trevor played

a mean guitar solo and I would

play him the progress

I made over the phone.

so funny.

One memory led to another.

Ballet classes, toe shoes,

learning to make friendship bracelets,

skipping dance classes to go to Butterfly Beach,

sleep overs and braiding hair, singing 'Galileo'

with my cousins- the windows

down on the way to the Guadelupe river,

listening to my dad's records,

spending so much money at some

lame game at the fair when

I was in first grade so I could just win the

Randy Travis Mirror. ha. I just

realized what a delightful

childhood I had growing up in Santa

Barbara. I had the best friends who had

the best families...who all took me

in over and over.

As the week has gone on

I've had memories flash

in my mind of college; of playing

my first big theater shows that

I would work for months to promote,

building A frames, and flyering

every dorm room in site. Remembering

the first time I played with a band.

It is funny, but still, every time

I bring a new song to rehearsal, when Dylan

and Ryan start playing I just feel

my heart swell up so big. To write a song

and then have other players flesh it out

still feels new somehow.

I've had thoughts of when

I first started falling for my husband

James. He made me a mixed tape after

our first date that had Neil Young, Pearl Jam,

and Spearhead. He was an amazing Rock Climber,

and although I had some friends warn

'don't ever go for the rock climbers'

I went for him and never have looked

back. We have been married for seven

sweet years. Lived in 5 states, soon to be 6.

I've thought about how lucky I

am to have a husband believe in

my abilities and tell me

to go for what is in my heart.

He cheerleads me on in music

and I know this gift is one

of the greatest I will ever have.

Of course my thoughts fall often this

week on my sweet daughter.

She is so tender and I love

exploring the world at her side.

To be honest, I was really afraid

when I found out I was pregnant.

That statement may sound ridiculous,

but I was. Now when I get to

hold her hand, watch her chase

the neighborhood cat, and

hold her close while we

sing each night before bed...

I know this is the best stuff on earth.

It is funny, but I thought I might

die the night I started

watching my life on review.

Isn't that what people say "my life

flashed before my eyes."

Obviously still here,

but I am so grateful for the space

this week that has allowed

this to happen.

And honestly, maybe the

gift has been to just see it

all in perspective..

Slow down and really live

in the moment.

And make the choice to be happy now, instead of waiting for _____.

Help me make a NEW RECORD!

2010-04-13T22:16:00.001-07:00

Help me make my new record!

Hello Friends! Welcome to the fund raising page for my fourth album! This album will be full of all new songs including “Every Time I Go” written for my daughter June. I am recording this album independently (meaning without the financial backing from a record label) and I need your help. Pre-ordering the album can make this dream happen!

When I was seven years old I knew I wanted to write songs and be a singer. So in honor of childhood dreams becoming a reality I’ve named my pre-order levels after my favorite songs at age seven. (don’t laugh, ok maybe you should.)

Here are the five pre-order levels: