Each individual genre has its stars, but what’s sometimes even more exciting is when an artist pioneers a new trail for their respective genre. Sarah Darling is doing just that with a sound she calls “Dream Country”. Her brand new album, titled Dream Country, is due out February 10th and I was lucky enough to get a chance to ask her a few questions recently, including a couple about the album.
With all that said, ladies and gentleman…Sarah Darling.
Lemonade Magazine: Hi Sarah! Thanks for taking some time to talk to us. For those who read the magazine and may not be as familiar with you as we are, tell us a little about yourself to start.
Sarah Darling: My name is Sarah Darling! I’m a whimsical singer/songwriter who lives in Nashville and I am a lover of French Macarons! I have a brand new album called Dream Country that comes out Feb 10th. Darling is my real last name and I love to travel.
LM: Awesome! Let’s jump right into your aforementioned album “Dream Country”. I was fortunate enough to get an
Sarah Darling – Photo by Kelly Christine
early listen and I absolutely love it! Some people might even consider it a concept album of sorts. What was your motivation to make an album like this one?
SD: It really is a concept album, and I’m so happy you love it. It takes you straight to the stars. I wanted to take listeners on a journey when they listened to it. There is a common theme of dreaming and beautiful landscapes. I do warn you that you may want to book a flight somewhere beautiful after listening to Dream Country. I feel like this project is something I’ve always wanted to make, and the first time I’ve put something together completely independent. When I set out to record it, I was doing it for me. I had this feeling of having to make it for my own heart. Now I’m really excited to share this side of myself with my fans. It feels like an honest reflection of who I am.
LM: Coming from someone like me who grew up listening to country music and have always been a fan— As a writer my biggest critique of the genre at times is that it can feel a little bit self parodying and the once superior writing has become a bit stale. You on the other hand seem to think a little outside the box. Is it important to you to always be innovating the country genre?
SD: This is an interesting topic, because I grew up in the wide open spaces of Iowa. I love writing about all the space I had to dream. That can be about the stars or my love for Paris for that matter. I feel like people keep writing the same song in slightly different ways. There’s nothing greater when an artist is truly themselves. Country music is about storytelling in my opinion. It doesn’t have to be about the same thing. In fact, I adore nothing more when I get to hear who an artist really is through their tunes. Dream Country is the kind of music I love, and I hope their are others who love to write about the same things I do.
LM: As I said before, I love the whole album, but one song that immediately stood out to me off of Dream Country is “You Take Me All The Way”. What’s the story behind that one?
SD: I did a lot of experimenting on this album with instrumentation. “You Take Me All The Way” has this jazzy Norah Jones vibe in my opinion. It takes me to some old club in the the 1940’s and feels really classic. I wrote it with Cheyenne Medders, and Tyler Flowers. It’s the most risque song on the album and the horns are perfect for it.
LM: Covering The Smiths is definitely unique for a country artist. What made you decide to add your version of “Please Please Please” to the album?
SD: I feel like every lyric to “Please Please Please” could relate to anyone. Especially being in the music business dealing with the highs and lows of it all. I felt like The Smiths said it perfectly. It’s an emotional track for me, and hope my fans really love the rawness of it. I cried the first time I heard it recorded.
Sarah Darling – Photo by Kelly Christine
LM: You’ve played on the Grand Ole Opry stage over 80 times now! It’s a dream come true for any artist just to play it once. Is it still as exciting as the first time?
SD: It’s still exciting every single time. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to think I’m coming up on 83 times! I’m honored that I get to sing and share my stories in such a beautiful institution. I consider everyone family, and I soak it all in when I get to be there. My grandpa, a big influence in my life, was there the very first time I had my debut.
LM: There’s an animated teaser video up on your YouTube channel for a song off of Dream Country called “Halley’s Comet”. Will we see more like this music video-wise in the upcoming months?
SD: Yes! You will be seeing animations and beautiful places coming up. Let’s just say I shot a music video in one of the most beautiful cities on earth.
LM: Now that 2017 is under way and your album is almost ready to be released, what else do you have planned? A tour perhaps?
SD: I’m so excited for 2017. I will be touring, and please make sure and check out my website for more details. I’m making some stellar merchandise at the moment as well!
And do not forget to pre-order Dream Country by Sarah Darling on iTunes now!
