Sai Collins
Gig Seeker Pro

Sai Collins

| INDIE

| INDIE
Band Rock Pop

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Strings Ring True"

Sai Collins writes and sings songs of compassion for those who think they have less. But Sai is definitely not a victim of the road. He walks his path with clarity and confidence obvious good will to all he meets...
The same Saturday night I took a friend to the Soapbox Laundro Lounge to hear Sai play with his band Sai Collins &the Getaway drivers. Sai stood radiantly up on the downstairs stage, with bass guitarst Eric Vithalani and drummer Dan Maggio. Sai's fans clapped and whistled and yelled out kudos of appreciation. From "Through my eyes," his new CD, Sai sang "Won't you save me," "Freedom Sliders," "Scarlet Butterfly" and "Missing Faces."

"I love his music," said friend Carmen Buechel-Hartmann,. "He rings true. You can see it in his face and in his hands. He's just right there."
Dixie Grill sous-chef David Kiehlmeier likes Sai's sponaneity.
"He's so talented and still so downt to earth." David said. "He might just start singing a song about the kitchen. He needs to make it big-time."
And Sai just might do that. In less than a year, he's gone from singing locally to hitting more spots on the Eastern seaboard. He's internet savvy and has a week long gig scheduled for New York in September.

"I pretty much play by ear," he said. "I know what sounds good and what goes well together. My idea is seeing what comes up naturally. How far can an individual go-like whats inside of them that can be brought out through experience and brief moments of contact with each other?"
"I was stumming some tunes at Bella's and a crumpled guy came in," Sai said. "He seemed depressed, kind of zoned out, but he was listening to the music. All of a sudden he asked me if he could hold the guitar for a minute. He grabbed it and ripped it open and I thought, Oh, my God."
"He was living out of his truck, and I said, 'Man , you've got to come stay with me a few days.' We staked up all night playing music. There was a depth of spiritual energy I havent felt before. We were so encouraged by each other that I made my song a gift to him...

"... He was a music maker, a victim of the road. Only hours later, his Revelation would unfold." - Sai Collins' "Music Maker"



"I am grateful for my religious training, but feel more spiritual than religious today," Sai said. "What's going on in your mind and your actions leaves the biggest mark. I hope that people hear what I have to say through my music, and are inspired to live better lives."





Encore Pub - 7/05
-Linda Grattifiori


- Encore pub


"Sai Collins & the Getaway Drivers - Shows of local harmony"

...Having been Influenced by artist like Ben Harper, Ryan Adams, Paul Simon, the Getaway Drivers' sound for the most part is pretty mellow, yet still deeply passionate. In the song "Missing Faces," about missing children, Sai laments, "Desperately their mothers they cry as they wait by the phone/wanting them to come home." Near the end of the song, the haunting voices of children in the background makes the tune mare than just an observation. It carries a put-the-listener-in-another's-shoes mentality. Other notable songs include "Sober Me" and "Scarlet Butterfly," with their acoustic riffs and steady base line.
Don't miss their crusade of emotive sounds.

(This is just a clip from)
Encore Magazine
4/2005 - Encore Magazine


"Music Spotlight"

Well it’s about time Sai Collins comes out from hiding in his emotional closet of musical hallucinations. Many of his listeners have said that his musical creations have been kept hidden for far too long. Like finding misplaced valuables tucked tightly in a forsaken place so the music of Sai Collins has emerged. At age 14 Sai Collins got his start in music by learning and practicing the acoustic guitar. With the encouragement from his mother who was a classical guitarist his musical passion began. Between the years of 1992 and 2005 Sai Collins has grown in a positive way to become the alternative/folk rock artist he is today. But it wasn’t until 2004 when Sai placed himself on the music scene publicly. When asked why he waited so long he stated, “There were many reasons, for one, like everyone else I was way too nervous to share my music before large audiences. I really don’t like criticism when it comes to musical art. I was way too worried that I wasn’t good enough and didn’t want other musicians to judge me. Now I say to hell with that, the way I see it is that this is no competition, no American Idol. This is me making an emotional contribution by means of my musical expressions. Music helps me to overcome my own personal issues and if something I have to say can bring comfort or solace to someone else in the audience then I feel successful.”


LUM - How do you strive to define yourself as a musical artist?

Sai Collins - I realize there are different types of musicians out there. There are Technical musicians, the ones that are educated in music, precise and understand its theory and all that. Then the others are like myself who are driven by feelings from life experiences. I take my emotional ups and downs, colorations and discolorations then I allow them to turn themselves into the musical expressions that I share. Words that I scrape from dark corners of my emotional mind - words that bind my hands and keep me from doing the unthinkable - words that leave me cold - words that excite the very fiber of my being - words that drown my soul in worthless passion - words that raise my spirit - words that comfort - words that cancel out - words to remember - words to forget - words I forget to remember - words that leave me alone - words that blind me - words that open my eyes to the painful issues against which others struggle and those same words expose my selfishness, and inspire me to do more.
When people ask me why I do music, its simple. I love how music comforts my soul; it cradles my spirit as it releases me from this estranged world I find myself in from day to day. Music is my escape and if I can provide the same for others then my music can become their release too.


LUM - What musical artist have proven to be of greatest inspiration to you?

Sai Collins - Well I have to say that growing up my family listened to a lot of music. I mean like mostly soul and R&B, you know the oldies like Temptations, Lionell Richie, Delphonics, Phil Collins, Paul Simon just to name a few. I have to say that my favorites are Phil Collins and Paul Simon. They both are great musicians as well as emotional expressionist. In particular Paul Simon is amazing, I am so impressed with how he uses his music as at tool to draw people together and to break barriers of racism and oppression. He embraces culture and rhythm all the while making others feel good about themselves. Paul Simon is definitely a role model for me. I hope to be able to enjoy lively experiences in my life as I travel a similar path. That’s where the real value of life for me comes from, experiencing life by means of nature, culture and people in their environments.
Two other artists that are close to my heart are Ben Harper and Jack Johnson. They both possess the gift in music and expression that allows them to press buttons of emotion within those who listen to them.


LUM - Who are "The Getaway Drivers" that perform with you?

SAI Collins - The Getaway Drivers… haha, first and foremost they are friends of mine, I have enjoyed bonding with them and sharing a musical experience with them.
Up until late summer of 2004 I always performed solo/acoustic. In 2004 I was approached by CUE for Missing Persons a non-profit org. to write a song for them. They wanted me to perform and promote this new song. At that point I decided to find a drummer and bassist. Dan Maggio (drummer) joined me in September 2004 and Eric Vithalani (bassist) joined us in November of the same year. I was brainstorming on a name for us to be billed as at shows and decided on the "Sai Collins & The Getaway Drivers". We performed our first public show on January 2005 in Wilmington NC. Since then we have been playing weekly sometimes several times a week, in various locations between NC and SC.



LUM - What are your goals for yourself and your music in the near future?

Sai Collins - I just want to stay true to myself the music that comes from within. I am a really simple person with many personal opinions on life and our society in general. The best way for me to speak out is to share my feelings through music. For example, I have always loved the ocean, growing up surfing and body boarding. I realize that it’s up to us as individuals to care for the ocean, earth and life around us. If each of us could make a personal contribution by means of actions we could minimize many of the problems that face or earth. Also for many years I’ve been a vegetarian it’s my personal choice in lifestyle. But over time I have better understood the issue of animal rights and the lack of it too. I have been working on a song for PETA2.com to use on their website as the continue to strive to reach the hearts or those who will assist in making a change. A change that will affect the w ay many animals are treated and cut down on the cruel mistreatment that exists. Ben Harper said it best when he stated, “I can change the world with my own two hands, make a better place with my own two hands.” To those who don’t think that a change on their part will make a difference, it will. Music can be a valuable tool to educate and remind us of the important issues in life.
I am currently working on completing the new album, “Worth the Drive.” It’s real exciting to see its progress. Dan, Eric and I are putting the finishing touches on it, and it will be ready for release this August.
In the mean time I am recording and compiling tracks for my solo acoustic Album “through my eyes” to release this summer as well.



LUM - What can we look forward to, coming from these two upcoming releases?

Sai Collins - Worth the Drive echoes the feel of our shows. The three of us jamming out together and letting a naturally positive energy flow. At a show I let the energy take me where I need to go in each song. Worth the Drive is the title track that speaks of the drive we as surfers take to get to where the waves challenge us. It’s a surfer’s love for the ocean and the surf that drives them. But the other songs go in the direction of love, loss, hope and the bitterness of reality.
The Solo release, “through my eyes” my means of acoustical healing. It is how I retrace my past experiences and convey those feelings into the stories they’ve become. I’m a huge fan of straight acoustic music and that’s why I am so stoked on this CD. But both of these new releases will be available online as well as in select retail music stores.

To his audience Sai Collins has much to offer, his art is emotionally charged and that is what he strives to share at each show. If you haven’t had a chance to see Sai Collins perform solo or as Sai Colins & the Getaway Drivers you are in for a real show. You can find him performing every Wednesday night at Sweet N Savory diner in Wilmington NC. To keep up with the music shows and new album releases visit his website: www.saicollinsmusic.com.



Line-Up Magazine
7/2005 - Line-Up Muisc Magazine


Discography

LP:
"through my eyes"
Released 2005
----
EP:
Live @ Kefi CD
released 2005

Single:
"Missing Faces"
Released 2004

ALBUM ON SALE:
SAI COLLINS (SOLO/ACOUSTIC)
"THROUGH MY EYES"

Online Retail:
www.cdbaby.com/saicollins
www.towerrecords.com
www.discrevolt.com/saicollins
www.indiefi.com/saicollins

Downloading:
Apple i-Tunes
Burnlounge
Napster
Rhapsody
MusicMatch

Reviews from happy listeners!

"...I recently attended one of your amazing live performances and
I purchased your CD and I have to say that your sound is awesome.
The CD was worth every penny I spent to get it." - K.R. NC

"This CD makes you FEEL. His messages are wonderful. Not like other
music on the market. I cant wait for the next album!" - AZ, New Jersey

"...sai collins new cd through my eyes ....his voice goes straight to my
heart... his words are wonderful and everyone will relate to what he is
relaying through his music. -K.H., PA

Photos

Bio

Sai Collins got his start in music sharing by performing in a singer-songwriter event back in September 2004. From there he hit the road and found himself on the journey of his life.
"Music teaches me so much about life and life teaches me more about music."-Sai.

Sai got his start in performing by entering a singer-songwriter event for charity in September 2004. From there he hit the road and found himself on the journey of his life. For the last two years Sai has worked hard at creating music that leaves a positive impression on everyone who experiences it. With the release of his New Album in 2005 - "through my eyes," Sai Collins has hit the road and and has performed well over 300 live shows, captivating audiences old and new. He has shared musical magic in a variety of music venues from the east to the west coast. Sai has enjoyed sharing music as a solo acoustic singer-songwriter in some of the most intimate settings in venues as small as "The Underground" in Wilmington NC or "The Gypsy Den" in Santa Ana CA. He has also lit up the stage at numerous "House Of Blues" showings with his band, Sai Collins &the Getaway Drivers in the year 2006.

"Sai Collins writes and sings songs of compassion for those who think they have less. But Sai is definitely not a victim of the road. He walks his path with clarity and confidence obvious good will to all he meets..." -Encore Magazine.
Between the years of 1992 and 2006 Sai Collins has grown to become one of the finest indie/folk/rock/ artist today. With his sound being compared to amazing artist such as Ben Harper, Tracy Chapman and Dave Matthews, Sai definitely has displayed his musical talent in an inspiring way as well and continues to do so. He has received great support and show attendance from friends and fans throughout his travels.

MainStage Performances:
Artist Information

Biography
Sai Collins got his start in music sharing by performing in a singer-songwriter event back in September 2004. From there he hit the road and found himself on the journey of his life.
"Music teaches me so much about life and life teaches me more about music."-Sai.

Sai got his start in performing by entering a singer-songwriter event for charity in September 2004. From there he hit the road and found himself on the journey of his life. For the last two years Sai has worked hard at creating music that leaves a positive impression on everyone who experiences it. With the release of his New Album in 2005 - "through my eyes," Sai Collins has hit the road and and has performed well over 300 live shows, captivating audiences old and new. He has shared musical magic in a variety of music venues from the east to the west coast. Sai has enjoyed sharing music as a solo acoustic singer-songwriter in some of the most intimate settings in venues as small as "The Underground" in Wilmington NC or "The Gypsy Den" in Santa Ana CA. He has also lit up the stage at numerous "House Of Blues" showings with his band, Sai Collins &the Getaway Drivers in the year 2006.

MainStage Performances:

March 1, 07 - House of Blues w/ Sister Hazel
May 3, 07 - House of Blues w/ John Butler Trio
June 14, 07 - House of Blues w/ Ben Harper
October 20, 07 - The Soapbox w/ Tim Reynolds
July 3, 08 - House of Blues w/ Edwin McCain
September 18, 08 - Soapbox w/ Michael Glabicki
June 14, 08 - Soapbox w/ Mishka

----------------------------

Sponsors:

SAM ASH MUSIC
www.samashmusic.com

MOVEMENT CLOTHING
www.movement01.com