Round 1 – For anyone that has never heard your music how would you describe it to them?<\/p>\n
Sarah ~ “Real, raw, undiluted. The spirit of punk rock meets traditional country stylings. Rolling Stone referred to us as \u201csneering country-punk\u201d and I\u2019d say that sums it up well.”<\/p>\n
Sarah ~ “We\u2019re a total band of freaks. The music industry is constantly churning out these young, good lookin, well dressed bands because it\u2019s not about the music anymore, it\u2019s an image based business. But, as with most everything else, I make my own rules when it comes to building a band. Chops and personality always come first. I\u2019ve played in bands with difficult people in the past and boy howdy it\u2019s just not worth the headache. So yeah, we\u2019re a rag tag bunch of folks, we\u2019re scrappy and tough in our own respective ways, but I\u2019d be lyin\u2019 if I said we also weren\u2019t some pretty laid back, friendly, and compassionate humans. We look out for each other hardcore and we always have each other\u2019s backs. One of the things I appreciate most about my bandmates is that it\u2019s ALWAYS about the music. Music comes first. Always.<\/p>\n
My electric guitarist, Eric Peterson, has been playing music with me in one form or another for almost 8 years now and he is one of the only true guitar lords in existence right now haha. Our pedal steel player, Phil Sullivan, played lap steel in my old band, Sarah Shook & the Devil, then took a hiatus to master pedal steel; the press often remarks on the brilliance of his and Eric\u2019s interplay, those two truly have a special musical connection. Aaron Oliva is my upright bassist, he spent years in Nashville gigging around lower Broadway before moving back to central North Carolina and it\u2019s evident in his playing. Dude knows his way around a dang bass! Kevin McClain is our new drummer and it\u2019s been a blast getting to know him and work together musically. He\u2019s a super talented drummer and avid cyclist. We\u2019ll be working with a few subs due to increased touring demands, Adam Kurtz will be with us on pedal steel with some frequency, wicked talented and instant partner in crime status.”<\/p>\n
Round 3 – I know you just released a new album, what can you tell us about it?<\/p>\n
Sarah ~” \u201cYears\u201d is so cool. Ten songs featuring the same suspects, doomed relationships, late nights, alcohol, drugs, heartache, but presented with a warmth and fullness to the sound that softens the edges just enough to make it golden. We\u2019ve evolved a shit ton as a band and as individuals since we independently released \u201cSidelong\u201d in 2015 and it really shines through on this new record. Couldn\u2019t be prouder of my boys.”<\/p>\n
Round 4 – As an animal lover I enjoy hearing about other people’s pets, so I always ask do you have any pets and if so can you tell us about them?<\/p>\n
Sarah ~ “Man, I wish I did. I live vicariously through pet owners. I would love nothing more than to adopt a rescue (or three cough cough) but we\u2019re touring relentlessly this year and I just wouldn\u2019t have the time to give them all the love, attention, time, and affection that dogs deserve. Serious retirement goals, my friend.”<\/p>\n
Round 5 – What hobbies do you have, what do you enjoy doing when you\u2019re not making great music?<\/p>\n
Sarah ~ “I love cooking. I\u2019ve been vegan for over 4 years now and when we\u2019re not on the road I\u2019m constantly in the kitchen inventing recipes and making stuff up on the fly. It\u2019s really relaxing and satisfying, especially when I have friends over to help me eat everything! I\u2019m also a big fan of the outdoors and any chance I get to snag a hike or a long walk I\u2019ll take in a heartbeat.”<\/p>\n
Last Call – This is a final open question so you can say what ever you would like to your fans and the people reading this.<\/p>\n
Sarah ~ “Always put yourself in someone else\u2019s shoes before you judge \u2018em. Nobody is perfect and we\u2019re all in this mess together so love hard and be kind.”<\/p>\n
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