Sarah Jaffe - Exclusive Interview
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Indie singer/songwriter Sarah Jaffe started gathering rave reviews with her 2008 debut EP Ever Born Again, and has continued to boom since her full-length album, Suburban Nature, was released in 2010.
Roxwel had the chance to sit down with the Denton, Texas-based musician before her show at [the ghost room] in Austin, where she talked about playing solo shows versus full-band performances, how Texas has influenced her music, and how the theme for her latest video "Clementine" was created.
While she started out as a solo act simply with her acoustic guitar, Sarah claims that playing with a band really boosts most aspects of a stage performance. The talented artist - who has toured with Lou Barlow, Norah Jones and fellow Denton band, Midlake - tells us that she has been experimenting with different sounds and loves to travel with a band so that she can stay true to her records and maintain the "fullness" that playing with a group brings to the stage.
Because she's a sort of "folky" artist who originates from Texas, Sarah is frequently compared to local artists that might be completley unrelated to her genre. Sometimes bothered by these illusive parallels, she admits that she "went through a stage of resenting Texas country" but now appreciates her Texan roots. "There's so much good music and history here. To deny that would be foolish." The indie-pop-folkster also reveals that her three major music influences are James Taylor, Cat Stevens and Joni Mitchell.
Sarah goes on to tell us about the idea behind her music video for "Clementine," which was directed by Jon Collins. "I just liked the natural light, that kind of clean light and kind of simple concepts that you run with and kind of make cinematic in themselves," she says regarding the feel of the video.
She also claims that there was no exact concept for the video, but says that there is a definite theme involved that is "open for discussion." With an interesting game of tug-of-war, a baptism and a pretty serious nosebleed incorporated into the video, Sarah declares that she is "glad people are talking about it, even if it's out of confusion."
Excited to report that she is in the midst of talking to her label (Kirtland Records) about putting out an EP this spring, Sarah shares that she has been experimenting with some electronic music recently while still staying true to her more folkish roots.
To hear more about her band, the making of her music video for "Clementine," and the release of her upcoming EP The Way Sound Leaves A Room, check out this interview with Sarah Jaffe.
After that, be sure to watch her exclusive live performance from [the ghost room] in Austin, TX!