Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Adult alternative has been one of the more female-dominated areas of the music world -- an area where so many of the tastemakers (Sarah McLachlan, Vanessa Carlton, the Indigo Girls and Shawn Colvin, for example) have been women. But largely female isn't the same as exclusively female, and male artists have also made some valuable contributions to the adult alternative field, including John Mayer, and the Gin Blossoms. A name that should be added to that list is singer/songwriter Sacha Sacket, whose second album, Shadowed, is as intriguing as it is melancholy and darkly introspective. The intrigue comes into play because of all the clever references in his lyrics but most listeners who hear this excellent sophomore effort probably won't notice Sacket's cleverness as much as they will notice all the sadness and disillusionment in his lyrics; Shadowed is a very dark album, and few rays of sunlight enter Sacket's adult alternative/folk-rock space. One influence who serves the Los Angeles resident pleasingly well is the late Nick Drake; Sacket gives the impression that he could easily recite all the lyrics to "River Man" if called upon to do so. And yet, Shadowed never sounds like it was recorded in the '70s -- not only is the production style more modern, but also, Sacket has no problem incorporating elements of Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan. That isn't to say that any of those direct or indirect influences ever obscure his individuality; Sacket is most certainly his own man, and he shows a great deal of promise on this compelling CD. - All Music Guide
What the hell does Sacha Sacket have to be depressed about? He's young, he's hot, and he's talented. So why is he writing lyrics like "I let myself softly slip into piss"? Maybe it's simply because he can--and because he's able to pull it off. Sacket is a rare talent with an original voice--and not just singing voice, either. No, the voice of which I speak is his musical one: piano-based songs drenched in melody, with sweeping, lush arrangements, driving-yet-understated percussion, and a deft usage of electronica, all reverently serving that golden tenor, which has an extraordinary way of slipping into angelic falsetto effortlessly. When Sacket comforts a friend's repeated suicide attempts on "Sweet Suicide" with "It's sweet suicide to my life/Saving you every time I catch you half-alive/Wish I could compete with your perfect goodbye," it's comparable to the Elton John/Bernie Taupin masterpieces of the '70s. On the contemporary music scale, Sacket falls somewhere between Tori Amos and Rufus Wainwright. His fingers racing along the keys are more akin to Amos' staccato pace than Wainwright's somber chords and often slow tempos. But he shares Wainwright's pain and vulnerability at the hands of a romance gone bad. "I gave you my whole heart, you went for my soul/Apologized for lies that I never told/Now I know it's time to forgive it all. But I can't, I just can't." The lyrical tone of the CD is intentionally downbeat, but Sacket's melodies, orchestrations, and delivery are surprisingly warm and inviting. In the hands of this young and gifted Angeleno. - Frontiers Newsmagazine
“Piano-based songs drenched in melody, with sweeping, lush arrangements, driving-yet-understated percussion, and a deft usage of electronica, all reverently serving that golden tenor, which has an extraordinary way of slipping into angelic falsetto effortlessly. On the contemporary music scale, Sacket falls somewhere between Tori Amos and Coldplay.” - Frontiers Newsmagazine
“He's sexy. He's talented. Armed with a piano and a lifetime of classical training, Sacha seamlessly incorporates rock, pop and even dance into his dazzling songs. He's like a modern-day Elton John, and we love him.” - PerezHilton.com
“Adult alternative has been one of the more female-dominated areas of the music world -- an area where so many of the tastemakers (Sarah McLachlan, Vanessa Carlton, the Indigo Girls and Shawn Colvin, for example) have been women. But largely female isn't the same as exclusively female, and male artists have also made some valuable contributions to the adult alternative field, including John Mayer, and the Gin Blossoms. A name that should be added to that list is singer/songwriter Sacha Sacket.” - All Music Guide
“Knocked my socks off … (Sacha) plays the piano with reverence to the artists he evidently adores, but only in the quest to find his own individual voice.” -Entertainment Today
- Various
Discography
Lovers and Leaders (LP) - 2007
Shadowed (LP) - 2004
Alabaster Flesh (LP) - 2001
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Opulent sweeps of electronic orchestration frame the evocative voice of Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Sacha Sacket on his third full-length release, Lovers & Leaders. A strong pop current underscores themes of surrender and acceptance.
Although its a love album, the theme is really more about my battle not to succumb to it, says Sacket. I guess I equated love with losing power, losing my goals and aspirations. I was trying to find the balance between honoring someone else and myself, while at the same time - finding where the edges meet.
The boldly titled Lovers and Leaders is as diverse as the characters that inspired it. The lyrics explore the freedom that comes through love, the nobility of leadership, and the devastating impact of the lack of either. Fans of Sackets confessional songwriting will immediately recognize the classically influenced melodies that are at the heart of the composers polished musicality. Lyrically, he stretches beyond the internal scrutiny of self-examination to etch distinct portraits of others with crystalline clarity: A disillusioned lover watches the runway recede from an ascending jet as she recalls days of legs and sheets and lips in How Low? An obsessive friend, Judy (for shame)," dries roses and arranges dolls in rows on her bed, and in Brandon Boyd, the entitled cool kids intone threats to keep the fat chicks/and the fags in line. Sackets gift is not only to breathe life into these characters, but also to reveal their humanity.
Born in Iran to a multi-cultural family (his father is Iranian, his mother British) Sacket came to California at age one where he grew up in the sun-baked sprawl of the San Fernando Valley. Among his high school peers were members of Linkin Park and Hoobastank. And Brandon Boyd, as named in song, is the classmate who co-founded the band Incubus.
With the release of his second album, Sacha Sacket took his artistry far a field touring relentlessly with concerts at hundreds of colleges and music venues while garnering airplay on 150+ independent, college and NPR stations. With the advent of myspace, his audience grew exponentially and national media outlets soon took notice. Noted one reviewer, Sackets music is not one for easy comparison. His remarkable and plaintive sensitivity conjures thoughts of a young Elton John, while a beautiful, textured piano recalls his classical past a young obsession with Beethoven. His talent, however, is undeniable from any perspective. Armed with a unique and powerful voice, which is perhaps his greatest asset, Sacket grabs you right in the gut and never lets go.
With Lovers and Leaders, even though Sacket confronts emotional vulnerability, his position is one of strength. Im not crying, walking down the street or anything, he laughs. My music balances me. Its a super shot, an espresso shot of me. In my music, I say things that Ive never said to anybody. Its private stuff that I dont really talk about: except to the world.
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