As Edie would say "We are cuttin' some sweet tracks!" And it is true, these songs are sounding so great. I know I probably should be more skeptical of myself, but, truly I love how these songs are shaping up.
Two things have really stood out to me this week. First- it is so enjoyable to sing cover songs. Our voices are encountering new melodies that we wouldn't have written, and we sing them differently. It showcases a new side of our voices, which makes for an interesting listen. Second- I am loving that every song is a duet. Some of you know that I am part of The Lower Lights, and one aspect that shines for me in that group is how many voices join together on most songs. Making an album having my voice woven with Edie's is pretty lovely. Our voices are very different and yet I have been happily surprised how good they sound together. I did fear "what if Edie and I get into the studio and we don't sound good together?" Yes, that would have been epic fail. I knew that I loved singing with her, but I am so happy that it works on another level as well. Yay, go team.
Today we got to have lunch with one of my favorite people, Courtney Kendrick. She is kind and always thoughtful in her questions and conversations. She has an ease about her that makes you feel relaxed. She has a glow about her and I feel better after being with her. You are lucky Provo that you get her all the time.
I am also loving the two hours in the car every day. Edie could be the best conversationalist in the world. We never, and I mean NEVER run out of stuff to say. Half of it is making me pee with laughter. The rest of it is contemplating topics running the gamut of marriage, music careers, when your child starts vomiting, which NPR hosts we love, favorite TV dramas, and who will come to our funerals.
Love to you all this weekend. Next week we have a special guest, the beautiful Mai Bloomfield is flying in from LA to play on the record and sing with a us. We will let you in on it.
I am sitting in my luxury chair at June Audio, looking at our Producer Scott Wiley do his magic at the console. Edie Carey and I are in the studio for the next two weeks making our new lullaby record. I feel a rooted happiness that is relieving and elevating to my heart. I've never made a record like this before: a duet album, a new genre, a collection of covers and a few originals, and the time and space to create over time. My last two records have been made live with a large group of gorgeous friends who spread their talent into every second of 15 hour recording days. It is a whirlwind of emotion and song and friendship, and we emerge on the other side of a few days with a record. I have been so happy how those albums have sounded.
This album is subtle and filled with space and thought. The pacing is completely different and I am loving it. Recording over two weeks is a gift at this time in my life. We call our friends one by one to come into the studio to help with an idea or play a track. We get to dine at all the hip yummy Provo joints. Working with Scott has been easy and fun. His experience producing lends him a bazillion ideas for each song, over and over in the last two days I have been so happy that he is at the helm. Edie Carey is one of the most easy humans to spend time with. She is hilarious and we laugh through the whole day, not to mention her voice on the big speakers is slaying me.
My mom is a saint in this mix. She is watching all three children; navigating two toddlers sleep schedules and cutting up food into small tiny pieces. I bring her an icy Pace's Dairy Ann fountain Coke every morning when I drop Maeve off and she steps into super Grandma mode. The pattern of my mother helping me realize my dream in music has been woven continuously through my life. Thank you mom.
So, we are on day two. The songs so far sound beautiful. I hope they lull you away into a dreamy settled place.
I am thrilled to announce that I am going to start recording a new record very soon. My dear friend Edie Carey and I are going to make a duet album of lullabies. Some will be originals, some traditional, some unexpected tunes. Overall, we want to create an album that is soothing to everyone, not just the kiddies. Edie Carey has been one of my favorite songwriters this last decade. She has toured the country extensively and has been a huge impact for good in the independent world of songwriters.
We launched our Kickstarter Campaign yesterday and feel overjoyed at the response and support we have felt so far. We invite you to check out our video, and pre-order the record if you feel inclined. There are some cool incentives we are offering if you want to give and receive more: like quilts made with love, a visit to the studio while we are recording, onsies, super soft tees, or a custom lullaby for you or your child.
Also, by joining us on this journey you will receive the album before anyone else and by privy to updates along the way. I may or may not have done a ridiculous lip sync video last night for the backers...
Thanks friends for sticking by my side all these years. I know this record is a slight departure from my normal recordings, but it feels good to stretch my creative muscle in new ways. I promise we will show up to record these songs with heart. We start recording with the talented producer Scott Wiley at June Audio studios in January. I think you will love it!
Two years ago today I released "Someday, Someday" my fourth studio record. I smiled tonight when I realized this anniversary and wanted to celebrate by sharing with you a few of my favorite moments of making this album. I am sure that I will create more albums through the years, but this one was special for me.
* THE STUDIO AND THE MAN. This is the third record I have made at June Audio with Scott Wiley producing and engineering. June Audio is just a beautiful space to make music; the walls are lined with incredible guitars, pianos of every size, vintage amps and pedals, rare microphones and just a great vibe. Scott could spend his time boasting about working with artists like Ryan Adams and Bonnie Raitt and Neon Trees, but instead he takes a quiet pride in making quality records in a beautiful space. He is one of the most talented people I have met in this line of work and is so good at what he does. I love the three records we have made together. He has been so generous to me over the years and I am ever grateful to have someone of his talent stand by my me and my music.
* THE SONGS. The ten songs we ended up choosing to be on the record are some of my best work. Each song landed in a different way. Calling Your Name came very quickly one night, almost laid out finished in my mind. I loved how the form of this song feels like a very traditional folk song. Others like "Shadows Of A Song" took months of editing and reworking and even enlisting my friend Paul Jacobsen to help me finish it. Paul's work as a songwriter blows me away again and again. When writing songs, I sometimes think to myself "would this lyric make the cut if Paul was writing it?" He co-wrote Shadows, Every Time I Go, and I'm Ready, not bad Jacobsen, not bad. I started writing "Every Time I Go" in Lyons Colorado during my favorite week of Song School. I had written "Every time I go, I give my heart to you..." and was stuck, Paul then suggested I sing "Every time I go, I give my heart to you, to keep you from the cold.." which is one of my favorite lyrics in any of these songs. I wrote this song for my daughter with the idea that distance cannot stop a mother's love. "Don't Bury Me" was inspired in part by my Grandpa Price who ran his family farm and was tied to his land in a way that prevented him from ever leaving it and part by a moment I had watching the ships come in and out of a bay in Galloway Scotland. I love the way we produced "Don't Bury Me." New love on "Texas" and not giving up on true love in "One Mistake" are two of the quieter numbers. When I sang on "Be My Middle Ground" I always imagined Bonnie Raitt's voice on it. And finishing "Staying Behind" was a pretty big therapeutic break through for me, took me years to write that song.
*THE HARMONIES. Wow can this group of people sing! Good gracious I was just blown away by the harmonies sung from this group. It is pretty rare to find musicians who can nail a harmony after only listening to a song a few times. My favorite harmonic moments of this record are on: Every Time I Go-- Paul came up with the echo 'to keep' on the chorus which I still smile at when I hear it. When Ryan sing "In my arms" on the bridge. The harmonies of this chorus just nail it--thank you Ryan, Paul, and Mai. Shadows of a Song-- Dustin Christensen sang this one with me and just slayed it. SLAYED IT. I think he heard this song twice through before he started singing along. Every take he did something different, and every time it was something brilliant. His harmonies on the second verse are my favorite. Staying Behind--if you watch the short documentary at the bottom you will see Paul, Ryan, Dustin, and Mai all working out their parts in the warehouse. Each chose different lines to sing on and I was floored watching them all find their place. Be My Middle Ground---Miss Mai just swooped into this chorus beautifully. I love the parts she hears. I am sure it could be due to years of singing in Raining Jane or being trained in cello and guitar...but man can she sing. Calling Your Name--Paul's voice and all it's raspy goodness shows up in this song. I love that it is a duet. Reminds me of when we sang this song. I'm Ready-- This song has such a sing-a-long chorus. I love feeling the group behind me.
*THE BAND. Pat Campbell slaying my heart on drums. Brian Hardy making the ivories sing, and organs, and glock, and bells. Mai with the graceful cello and angelic voice. Dyan Schorer melting me with electric guitars and pedal steel. Scott Wiley puts the edge in electric (I love that intro on Staying Behind) on guitar and bass. Paul Jacobsen, Ryan Tanner, & Dustin Christensen killing it on vocal harmonies, guitars, banjos, pianos, and ideas. Tilby the wizard playing anything with strings, do I remember a bass mando or uke??? And even a guest appearance of George Brunt on bass--so hip. The truth is that I have been making music with this group of friends for the last decade and I have loved every show, every recording session, every co-write. Thank you dear ones.
*MAI BLOOMFIELD. She was the only other woman besides myself working on this album and I think she brought such a down-to-earth richness to our creative soil. She was relentlessly positive. Recording live can be stressful at moments because you just don't have the time to sit and rehearse---this is where Mai really shined. She held her own and showed up in tune and glowing over and over.
*THE ARTWORK. Ryan Tanner took film photos for the album cover and website, and designed the album artwork. I remember him sending me a few different options for the Cover art. When he sent me the above photo, it was clear to me we had the one. The photo felt honest and vulnerable and it was all me. I know I will always love the artwork for this project, it will never seem out of date to me because he captured something special that day. And in a time when everything is turning to digital, I still love holding a physical album in my hands.
*LIVE RECORDING. This was a live record, we recorded the whole shebang in a matter of days. What you hear, really happened in that moment! I gathered my dearest friends around me and we went to work. I hired the talented Jed Wells to make a documentary of the project. I wanted not only the physical reminder of an album, but the visual reminder of the community that came together to create it. I also had the sentimental motive lodged in my heart that wanted to document this process to show my children when I grow old, something they could watch and know how real and meaningful making albums was to me. Here is that video, I hope you take a few minutes to remember the journey of it with me.
Thank you for showing up for me and the music. If you know this album, I would love to hear what your favorite parts are below in the comments.
xo
s
PS: To hold you over till a new record is made...here is a new song you can download for free, click here.
Thank you for dropping by, I have a very special someone I would like you to meet. Maeve, this is everyone. Everyone, this is Maeve.
Maeve Eleanor McDonald was born on Easter Sunday. Her name Maeve rhymes with 'brave,' and brave she was on her birthday. Maeve is an old Irish name, a reference to a legendary ancient Irish queen, and means "she who intoxicates." She is living up to her name because I feel like I am with royalty when she rests in my arms, and truly like Joni Mitchell sings
"Oh you're in my blood like holy wine.. Oh I could drink a case of you darling Still I'd be on my feet oh I would still be on my feet"
I also would like to raise my glass to the doctors, nurses, & midwives of the world. To the technology and medications we have available that are intended to help and relieve. Below is a photo of Henry Ghent, he is my great great great grandfather and was a civil war surgeon and continued to practice medicine all his adult life. Can you imagine being a surgeon during the civil war? I cannot, and I cannot imagine the conditions of infection and pain that people had to endure. I do know that it would take courage to be a doctor or patient during this time.
I most likely would have lost both my children during childbirth if I had lived during his lifetime. My first daughter was born via emergency c-section after 23 hours of labor and complications. And little Maeve had her cord wrapped several times around her body and neck and as labor progressed her heart rate dropped suddenly and could not be restored. The technology of a heart monitor told us this and allowed the Doctor enough information to know that she needed to be delivered immediately. Not only did his team of assistants rush in within seconds, but a staff of pediatricians were waiting for Maeve to help her if needed. I have to say that as a mother, those 5 minutes were some of worst I have experienced, when it is clear that something is wrong and it is unclear what the outcome will be for your unborn child. But out she came and although a slow rocky start, her eventual small cry was the most glorious sound I've ever heard!
Recovering from this delivery has had several complications that I did not expect, and yet I have felt again and again how grateful I am to live in this day. To have doctors that know how to treat every problem that I have encountered. To live in a generation where we can have antibiotics and medications at the convenience of a pharmacy down the block. I have felt very taken care of, not just by those in medical field, but by my family and friends. Even those I don't know well have cared enough to reach out with their 'congratulations.' So thank you thank you thank you. A new baby is a miracle. I am overwhelmed with love every time I look at this little one. She is quite amazing. Someone commented that I have found my new muse.... quite true. I am interested to see what songs she brings with her....
Warning: I am about to talk about babies and show photos of my nursery. This post contains nothing about music or a rockstar lifestyle. If you dare, read on...
Hey Friends,
I find myself at the end of this pregnancy ready and waiting to have this baby.
It is the last few weeks and I know she could come anytime, therefore I have
done the smart thing which is to anticipate her arrival with great intensity,
only to experience a severe let down every day that passes that she does not decide
to make her grand entrance.
I have been googling "signs of labor" terms that all have horrible names that I won't go into here in case there are sensitive readers reading (ie. women who might be interested in birthing a child someday and these references might scare you away)....
Let me just say that on the 'list of possible symptoms of pregnancy' NONE are flattering
and some just painful. BUT on the bright side, I love small cute clothes and I
am stocking up for this little one. I also have loved putting together her nursery.
I decided to sew all the crib bedding this time around which allowed me to pick the
fabric I loved and kept me busy from dwelling too much on all the 'pregnancy symptoms'
I was acquiring rapidly. I know this post is mostly for my mom...but enjoy.
Also, let's play one last game: GUESS WHEN THIS BABY WILL BE BORN!
Leave your guess in the comments and I will send the
winner all of my albums.
The Nursery: sarah sample style
note: I still am acquiring the artwork, so forgive the bare walls
Thanks for reading. Hope you are enjoying sleeping without a snoogle....
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"
Welcome to the sarah sample blog! I hope you will find something here that makes a connection with you.
I am a traveling songwriter documenting my journey chasing shadows of songs and paving my own road of happiness.
