Sarah Blasko on everday life as an influence and dancing lessons

Considering the musical phenomenon today that is ‘ Sarah Blasko’, Its hard to imagine that once upon a time, this songbird was told she didn’t have a musical bone in her body.

‘I probably did kind of believed that for a while, and I probably still do, sometimes. Because I think that more the way it affect me was because I haven’t had any formal kind of musical training I picked up a lot of things by ear, It did sort of made me feel like I wasn’t part of the secret club, the secret language that is music, it did kind of affect me for a while. It was a harsh statement’

Whilst full-frontal conflict is not her style, Sarah did admit that she always wanted to go back and leave a CD on that teacher’s desk. With her debut album ‘ the overture and the underscore’ being met with great excitement by both critics and fans alike, and receiving four ‘Aria’ nominations and tracks used on various TV shows, including the hit series ‘Six Feet Under’. It’s no surprise that both of the two tracks released from her second album ‘ What the Sea Wants the sea will have’, made it to the Triple J’s ‘Hottest 100’ for 2006. The album was also rated number 7 on the ‘Aria’s’ Album chart for 2006.

In spite of her unexpected success on the Australian and international music scene, the music industry is one that Sarah tries her hardest not to associate with.

‘The industry is a weird thing I often try to ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist. I like the idea of playing music and things, the word 'industry' really freaks me out. Then again I do respect that I’m part of the industry and the stigma that is attached to it.’

Responsibility for part of her success as an artist relies on a strong support network. Part of this network is ‘Robert Cranny’ an artist with whom Sarah has worked with on several occasions, including to produce tracks ‘ flame trees’ and ‘ don’t dream its over.’ When asked if working with Robert Cranny was essential to her performance as an artist, and whether she would consider collaborating with anyone else, she replied.

‘Well I think that what he contributes is really essential to the records. I certainly have a lot of respect for him as a writer and the way we work together is complementary as we sort of have different things to contribute. I have written with other people in the past and probably will write with others in the future, I kind of like the feeling of having familiar people to work with. They give you a different perspective on things, a trusted opinion’.

Her latest album ‘ what the sea wants the sea will have’ was recorded in friend Neil Finns picturesque studios located in Auckland, which Sarah admits influenced the sound of her album.
‘It was a really beautiful studio, had a lot of light, I think the grandness of the place affected how it felt, Auckland is very green, very lush, surrounded by water, all of that suited the record, was the right environment,’

Beautiful surroundings and talent were factors which came into play when considering the short amount of time it took to produce and record the album, leading us to question whether Sarah’s next album will be completed in such a short period of time, and when eager fans can expect it.

‘I think the next will be recorded quickly as well. It is the way you keep moving, if you keep yourself moving. I’ve already started writing the next record. But I probably wouldn’t start working or recording it until next year and it would probably come out year after next.’

Always one to please fans, this ‘dwarfer’ took a fan question (or request rather) straight from the streets of Adelaide and posed it to Ms. Blasko.

Q; Could she please include a how–to guide, to her dancing on the leaflet of her next album
S: starts laughing
Q; (wait, there’s more) because her dancing is a thing of beauty.

Not wanting to disappoint, Sarah answered cheerfully (in-between giggles)

‘This is great. I kind of actually thought of doing a video clip, doing one like almost like I’m the choreographer and people have to do my dance steps, so I might do that.’

As an artist, Sarah uses her everyday life to influence her music. ‘All kinds of things (inspire me), I read a lot of books, watch a lot of films. Little things that go on around me, sort of me personally. All these things sort of find their way of coming through in things that I write.’

Perhaps it’s the aspects of her life that are thrown into her music which explain her success and popularity, but the changing line up during her tours can’t hurt either. Every tour, the band members are changed, one would assume that this would create a lot of confusion, and hassle, needing to re-structure the band every time there is a new show, but this could soon change.

‘Its more we did kind of change it every tour, I like the idea of something a bit different, the way the band is now, is kind of likely fixed, it’s something we don’t feel the need to change with each thing. I think that everyone gives us a different slant on all of the songs, shows a different part of their personality or something. In a way I kind of like that, I like the rawness of the four piece band.’

Being no exception to the rule. Sarah Blasko’s upcoming theatre tour is rumoured to feature an eight piece band, the show itself consisting of two one hour sets, including an intermission, and surprise guests who will be performing, a fairly unconventional experiment, I took the opportunity to see if Sarah could give us any more information.

‘The basis of it is piano, drums, guitar, we’re likely to have some woodwind and string. Each night we’re going to have a different musical guest come up and play some songs. (any word on who those guests are?) Well no, it’s pretty special, its going to be good. Some of them are more well known than others.’

In recent times, artists have taken to releasing their work on vinyl as well as CD, possibly in an effort to curb the illegal downloading of music, artists work hard to create. Many artists consider the vinyl format of music to be ‘dead’ perhaps this is the reason why, As of yet, Sarah has not released either of her albums on vinyl,

‘No I don’t think its dead. I’ve just heard some figures that someone told me that apparently there’s been an increase in people buying vinyl; I actually just bought a really good record player last year. And I’ve been collecting a bit myself. I would love to put out my record on vinyl; I think it’s got a really good sound.’

Pleased to hear Ms Blasko is a supporter of music on vinyl, I took the opportunity to find out what her own favourite vinyl is.

‘ Um, it’s probably ‘The Smiths – The Queen is dead’ (1986)

There has been a lot of talk and confusion about her latest album’s title ‘what the sea wants, the sea will have’, with people reading into the idea of the sea being a metaphor for something else.

‘I guess water and the ocean might have been a metaphor for emotions and emotional change, and life changes. The feeling of being lost and confused, it had a lot to do with that I guess title is probably an extension of that. Basically what I was trying to get across. Was its kind of based on intent, wanting to be bold in your life and kind of being confident in the face of kind of confusion and turmoil. To be confident about the future to let go of things in the past.’

Speaking of the past, Initially, Sarah first began performing in a band with her sister, and a few other founding members. Due to this history, is a musical reunion in the form of a duet a possibility? ‘ She still sings, she’s a teacher, I’m sure there would be some time.’

Sarah Blasko will be touring nationally during April, and is also hoping to tour the United States and United kingdom later this year, with dates being discussed.

‘ What the Sea Wants, The Sea Will Have’ is available now in all record stores.

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