Some artists start one place and just never stop moving. Sarah Burton started touring in Canada and never stopped moving. She eventually got to Texas where the scene is huge and alive. Sometimes when you’re in a big ocean, it seems never ending but there is endless opportunity. She is en route back north for some shows. Catch her perform some relentless songs and with her poignant vocals on Tuesday, November 26 from 5-8pm at The Cove Inn. Details here: web link

Seamus Cowan: It goes without saying that your story is one of a traveller. I suspect music has been the reason for this but I feel like you are an explorer at heart?

Sarah Burton: Yes, you're absolutely right - I always had a travel bug - I loved our family road trips growing up, and I would spend many happy hours staring out the window at the changing landscape just wondering where everyone is going. Music has always been in me too, so it's lucky that the two go hand in hand.

Q: Touring in van is the indie rock way. It’s a method. Been there! What would you say are some of your favourite memories of the road?

Sarah: It's true, I'm on my fifth van, I think - well, first full size van - I was always in a minivan before I "upgraded" to a full size 2004 Ford e150. I've been touring for the better part of 15 years, so it's kinda hard to narrow down to favourite memories, but overall it's just wonderful to be able to see the country, meet people, and see long time friends along the way. But I've definitely had some special moments, like performing on a rafting trip in Idaho, singing in a cave adorned with petroglyphs - or the time I played on an island and saw a whole school of dolphins jumping on the way to the gig. There's something about playing the nooks and crannies of the world that take you to some of the most special places.

Q: Recording lots of records is a great way to carve your identity. Working with Jim Eno of Austin’s Spoon is amazing! Is that case was it sheer inspiration of being in that zone/scene or actual production coaching that you got most from it?

Sarah: I recorded at Jim Eno's studio in Austin - although I did meet Jim, we didn't work together - I worked with Elijah Ford (currently of Gary Clark Jr. fame, formerly of Ryan Bingham fame). Elijah was a great, intuitive and organic producer, capable of translating my vision onto record - not to mention an outstanding guitar player. At the helm, engineering was Brad Bell, an incredible engineer with a stacked resume including Heartless Bastards, The War on Drugs, Spoon (of course), Arcade Fire, Lucious and many more. Elijah and Brad were such a great team to work with, we got together on a couple more singles - and the studio there is one of my favourites that I've ever worked in. It's just beautifully laid out, sounds great, is comfortable and has lots of toys (like the synthesizers we used on Smiling for the Camera and Love is in the Air).

Q: Your sound has evolved with some more indie rock songwriting earlier to most recently, a more rootsy alt-country sound. Who would you say are some of your influences for this? Congratulations on releasing your new record “Swoonville, USA” which is charting #5 on the Americana charts!

Sarah: Thanks! I guess it's ever evolving, or more like one of those revolving doors. This is not my first foray into the Americana Alt-Country world. You can hear hints of it on my first full length album, Mayflower, my 2010 album, Fire Breathers and my 2019 release Give me What I Want is very much Americana save for the two indie rock inspired tracks. I love a lot of different music and never want to feel limited by any kind of genre constraints - I put out an adult contemporary/pop piano album in 2015 called Make Your Own Bed, and my last album, 64 Magic Queens is very much a garage rock/power pop album. When I was working on Swoonville USA, I was listening to a lot of Fruitbats, Jayhawks, Sharon Van Etten and the Shins. I suppose it's up to the listener whether or not those influences show up on the record.

Q: Seems like the road will keep you inspired and fueled. Does this mean you are going to continue to be an artist off the road? Looking forward to your show. Hope you can be a regular here!

Sarah: Yes of course, I'm always an artist, road or no road. These days I spend more time on the road, though, and if I'm not out playing music I'm trying to runaway to some remote wilderness. All fuel for inspiration and survival in this crazy world. Posted: Nov 18, 2024 Originally Published: Nov 24, 2024