A few request have come through for the lyrics to my song Little Birds (after being featured on Packed To The Rafters).  The song was written for my good friend Michelle O'Sullivan's Mum Maisie. She had been a big part of my mispent youth... I spent a lot of time at their house when I was a kid.

When Maisie was diagnosed with cancer, Michelle asked me if I could write a song for her. I found this really difficult until a conversation with Michelle. Maisie was already a tiny woman and as she became more frail, Michelle described feeding her like feeding a little bird. The song then wrote itself. Unbeknownst to me, Maisies Bowling team were called the Blue Wrens.

See the lyrics here (next to the song title).

 Last night my song "Little Birds" was featured on "Packed to the Rafters". While i have no tv reception here, friends have called to say they heard it. Hopefully there will be more news of my songs being used in film and television. On Friday April 20 i will be supporting Bill Chambers at No 5 Church St Bellingen. For bookings ph. 02 66 55 0155. Love to see you there.
Hope you all had a fun Easter.
Sara x

 Well hi. 
Feet are finally back on the ground after a fabulous trip to the USA. The International Folk Alliance in Memphis was an action packed few days. the whole event took place in the Marriott Hotel with rooms turning into mini venues with mini bars and mini food (unusual in the States given the epic proportions of some of the meals we ate). The schedule was hectic, with workshops and schmoozing in the day and gigs and schmoozing finishing in the wee hours of the morning. With travelling and musical companions The Yearlings, we managed to also cram in a visit to Sun Studios, STAX museum, the Lorraine Hotel (where Martin Luther King was shot, now part of the Civil Rights Museum) and of course, Graceland.
Then, on the wrong side of the road, we were off to Nashville. Not only did we get to see Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings "Woodland Studio" (from the outside but it still felt like a "moment'), we shopped till we dropped and got to play a gig at the famous Bluebird Cafe!! Heaven. Thanks to the fabulous Audrey Auld for making that happen, it was a dream come true and i have the t-shirt to prove it.
Severe weather warnings for Nashville and Alabamba, tornadoes no less, sent us in to a spin. We were in Nashville, having done our last gig at 12th N Porter, with our next gig in Birmingham Alabamba, where the tornado was heading. Managed to out run it and play a wonderful gig at Moonlight on the Mountain just after the storm had blown over.
Said a sad goodbye to The Yearlings (what a time we had together) and caught the train to New Orleans the next day to spend some time with the lovely Dan Etheridge (guitarist on my first album "Five Days") and his family. Was our second visit there so got in to the swing of things effortlessly and had a ball. 
Will post some photos on here and on my facebook page so make sure you "LIKE" me and you can check em out.
Little bit of time off now, keep checking in to see whats happening and thanks for coming along for the ride.
Sara x 

 Full on week in Memphis at the International Folk Alliance. Hundreds of musicians all jostling (or not) for the attention of industry movers and shakers, trying to make those little 20 minute sets matter. Met some great people and made new friends and heard some fabulous music. The Aussie line up of The Yearlings, The McMenamins, The Blue Ruins and the Rosie Burgess Trio and myself worked hard and put on awesome shows. Memphis itself was not qute as expected. Seems to be more empty buildings than full ones in the city. Beautiful big old buildings falling into ruin. The poverty of the city becomes really hard to see just a few blocks out of the main streets. STAX, Sun Studios and the Civil Rights Museum were a tourist highlight. Not to mention Graceland. That was my favourite of all. I loved the house and the grounds and kept expecting Elvis to walk down the stairs. Pretty wacky decor but still felt great and like a real home.
In Nashville now. Still excited to be here after two days of roaming around. We have our first Nashville show tonight at the Bluebird Cafe with Audrey Auld and then another tomorrow night at 12th N Porter. I'll let you know how they go. Sara xx

2012 began with some really exciting news for me. I have been invited to an official showcase at the 24th International Folk Alliance in Memphis Tenneesee! Thats MEMPHIS, home of "Sun Studio" where Elvis, in 1953, walked in and told them "I dont sound like nobody" and proceeded to put down "Thats Alright Mama". Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis launched their careers from there. Then theres STAX marking the beginning of Soul Music and recording Otis Redding, Al Green, Aretha Franklin. The songwriting team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter producing "Soul Man" and more. Graceland. .I'll stop there and yes, i am counting down the days. The Folk Alliance conference is on from February 22 to Feb 26 at the Marriott Hotel and my official showcase is on Saturday Feb 25 at 7 30 in the Memphis room. I am also playing a number of private showcases.

I will attempt to keep a bit of a photo diary of the happenings over there so if you go on to my Facebook link and become a friend, LIKE my bandpage, you can come along for the ride. The Yearlings, who made TIME with me, are also doing an official showcase, so i feel very blessed to have them over there to share the adventure.

Hope 2012 is off to a great start for you and looking forward to catching you at a show somewhere soon.

Love Sara

 

The band and i have clocked up thousands of ks on my little Mazda, and yes it is possible to fit three musicians and their gear and an upright bass in one small car (comfort not being a huge consideration). Huge thanks to all who came to the shows and bought the album and just generally encouraged and supported our work. To the communities of Mullumbimby, Wingham and Semaphore, long may your festivals reign, we had a brilliant time. To venues who support original music, thanks so much for having us, we have had a ball. I stayed up far too late (or didnt get to bed at all), drank way too much and generally had a ridiculously good time and i think its probably a good time to get home to the family and plot and scheme for 2012. May you all have a magical Christmas and may the New Year be filled with laughter, love and adventure. Huge thanks for coming along for the ride and looking forward to seeing you in 2012. Much love, Sara x

 Very excited to receive news that "GOLDEN" from the new album "TIME" is placed at  #6 on Amraps Airit chart. Check it out at http://airit.org.au/airit/home.php
 In fine company alongside Busby Marou, Katie Noonan, and Lanie Lane. Community Radio Rocks! Support your Community Radio.

 Well the tour is off and running. After the fabulous local launch at The Drill Hall in Mullum it was down to Yamba for the Old Kirk Concert. Such a beautiful little venue with a very up close and personal vibe. Then i flew to Adelaide for the Semaphore Festival. Had a hoot there with The Yearlings and most of our shows were alongside the legendary Broderick Smith and Matt Walker. Inspired and inspiring. On the night of my album launch at the Semaphore RSL we were treated to a great show from the Fiddle Chicks and the Very Janes. Was the first time The Yearlings and i had played the album together outside of the recording and it felt great! Richard "Judge" Coates came along and sat in with piano accordion on a few of the songs he had played on the album. Happy days. Last day in SA was a gig on the foreshore at Semaphore. Sun was shining and a great crowd had gathered for the day. Flew home utterly tired and satisfied.
Coming up on the weekend is Wingham Akoostik Festival. Playing this as a trio with Matt Bone on upright bass and Jason Caspen on drums. We played this line-up as support for Tex Perkins and the Dark Horses on Saturday and went down a treat. Hope to see some of you there.

The first show of  Sara's new album "TIME" is on tomorrow night at the Mullumbimby Drill Hall from 7 30pm. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door. There will be tea, coffee and cake available. The night features Sara on guitar and ukulele, Azo Bell on electric and steel guitar, Matt Bone on upright bass and Brendan Drinkwater on drums. No doubt there will be a few surprise guest appearances. Cant wait!!!!

 Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today is the day you can go out and grab yourself a copy of "TIME" from your favourite music store. It's been quite a journey for me with this album and i am looking forward to hearing what you think of it.