Sarah Dashew
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Sarah Dashew

Los Angeles, California, United States

Los Angeles, California, United States
Band Folk Singer/Songwriter

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"The Definitive Sarah Dashew Interview"

Sarah Dashew is an amazing musician. She’s like Janis Joplin meets Sheryl Crow, but with better hair! On stage, she’s 100% rock, and controls a room better than a Baptist Preacher (which is also part of her act, ironically). I caught up with Sarah for a quick lunch, and spent a few hours being entertained. Here’s what transpired.
Jim: Do you read?
Sarah: Yes. Growing up, I read a lot. I didn’t have TV.
Jim: You didn’t have TV? That sucks!!!
Sarah: No… I had books, music and imagination.
Jim: What kind of books do you read and what kind of music do you listen to?
Sarah: The first ‘adult book’ I read was when I was seven. It was a Louie L’amour Western. As a result, I devoured that. I read pulp western novels. They were awesome. I still have them on my bookshelf. It’s like comfort food.
Jim: Adult book, huh? How big is your bookshelf?
Sarah: How big is yours?
Jim: My friend’s Mom thought I should be organized, so she got me bookcase. It’s big and square.
Sarah: Mine is medium.
Jim: Mine is as tall as me.
Sarah: Mine’s taller.
Jim: So, we’re competing?
Sarah: You asked! As for music, my first album was Stevie Wonder’s “Inner Visions.” It was and still is my favorite album. I loved it, I melted over it. My parents had a great collection -Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, James Taylor, and The Beatles. As I got older, I listened to Prince, A Tribe Called Quest- which got me into jazz.
Jim: Jazz is like wine and sushi. People pretend to like it, but they really don’t.
Sarah: You are wrong- that’s not true! I love wine! I like sushi to a point… So, you’re saying no one likes jazz? You could be hung out to dry for that.
Jim: I don’t get it, musicians work so hard to play hook-less music.
Sarah: What about Coltrane?
Jim: Free jazz! Are you kidding? Coltrane was the worst!
Sarah: (laughs) We should steer away this.
Jim: What are your influences?
Sarah: A Tribe Called Quest- a lot of jazz (winks).
Jim: Music influenced by jazz is cool, but not jazz itself. Helmet, Rage Against The Machine, Tribe. That’s cool.
Sarah: Jazz is everywhere abroad. I toured Europe and there are a lot of jazz festivals. It’s not what the lay person would think is jazz- there’s funk, R&B, blues. For the record, Jim thinks jazz sucks, not me.
Jim: What is that one song you did, it was the crazy one from a few years back. I have it on my iTunes.
Sarah: “Psycho Babble Junk?”
Jim: Yes! I heard the new album (“Where I Belong”) and I thought it would be whimsical like that, but it was so serious.
Sarah: Serious, really?
Jim: Every song was heartfelt and 8 out of the 10 were ballads.
Sarah: Really? I wrote all the music on “Where I Belong” from a lighter place. “Everywhere You Go” is my “Sgt. Peppers.”
Jim: The first song is upbeat and poppy and then, lots of ballads. That’s not a bad thing, but I was expecting “Psycho Babble Junk.”
Sarah: That was a one-off.
Jim: It’s a catchy song.
Sarah: It’s still a favorite.
Jim: There was a lot of musicianship on “Where I Belong” (slide guitars, horns, etc.)
Sarah: Thanks- I co-produced it. One of the first things I did before I had the songs, I knew there had a to be horns. I’m happy with the record and I feel secure about it. I had control and I was able to re-do things I didn’t like. I didn’t sell myself short. I worked with my mentor, Chuck Plotkin who has worked with Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. He’s amazing!
Jim: What was it like to take on a production role?
Sarah: I loved it. I’ve done a lot of recordings in my bedroom on my little 8-track recorder, and have done things for film. It’s a process.
Jim: How does a song change from demo to the final version?
Sarah: It depends on the song. I wrote “Where I Belong,” when we were tracking. It was ballad and when I played it for the boys, I played it faster than I was supposed to, and it became a poppier song. “Anywhere” was a piano song.
Jim: Is the album out officially?
Sarah: It is. It is on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby. I released it independently.
Jim: What made you go with the independent route instead of a label?
Sarah: I never approached a label.
Jim: Have they approached you?
Sarah: Yes, but it wasn’t right. Maybe I want too much control. I do not want to comprise or not write what I want to write. I’m growing and developing. I’m not saying that all labels don’t work, but I’ve been lucky to do this on my own. I would like to sell 100,000 albums.
Jim: I dig your stuff, but there was a lot of slow songs. My Dad as a saying about ballads. He would rather be hung by his toenails in a sewer in Calcutta and dipped in shit then listen to a ballad. I don’t necessarily agree.
Sarah: Wow, that is a strong opinion. Why do you think that is? He is afraid to tap into some feeling?
Jim: Not sure. I asked and he said “Fuck it!” He writes our Americana/Country column.
Sarah: So, he’s going to hate my album?
Jim: Well, I won’t give it to him to review.
Sarah: You keep saying ‘all these ballads.’ I think the songs are mid-tempo.
Jim: I think you music has balls. I really like this album. You’re not hiding behind whimsical songs.
Sarah: Thank you Chuck said the same thing- that I hid behind the whimsical songs.
Jim: Great minds think alike.
Sarah: I stripped myself naked and I opened myself up and said what I felt. The songs come from peace and love.
Jim: Is it hard to be open?
Sarah: No, I have always been open. I like making friends and being affectionate. I express myself in my writing and on stage- it has always been there.
Jim: I think what you’re doing to great. You get to perform and it pays the bills.
Sarah: Some months are easy and some are hard. Nothing is stopping me from being huge- I think I write well. I think everything works its self out as long as I work hard and stay honest.
Jim: How many albums have you released?
Sarah: Officially, two. I have done other stuff, but it was more practice than anything else.
Jim: What is a typical live show like?
Sarah: Very lively. Print that! I have a band that I work with. My last band was a trio- I played guitar. I just got back into piano, with writing chords and I now play on stage. My bass player was from England and the drummer was from Austria. We met through mutual friends and we got along. I really miss them. They crashed with me for six weeks when we tracked the album.
Jim: Why didn’t they stay?
Sarah: They have work and stuff in their countries. It is also a visa issue.
Jim: Have you acted?
Sarah: I was into it for a bit, but I never did it professionally. I took classes and I decided to be singer. People won’t think you’re crazy if you’re on a street corner singing with a guitar, but they will if you’re on the corner doing a monologue.
I wouldn’t be opposed to acting in the future.
Jim: Are you touring?
Sarah: I will be touring in May and June.
Later that week, Sarah rocked the stage @ Room 5. She only played one ballad, and even that rocked balls! Catch Sarah on Tour this summer.
- CWG


"Sarah Dashew’s ‘Where I Belong’"

With her authentic sound and straight from the heart lyrics, singer/song writer, Sarah Dashew, is a rare gem among the many carbon copies found in the music industry. Her music is a sterling change from the typical electrically produced beats and topics of sex, money and drugs compared to Dashew’s ability to move her listeners creating a warm feeling inside.

Dashew’s recently released sophomore album, “Where I Belong,” draws attention to her diverse musical influences, raging from Stevie Wonder to the Beatles, blending the sounds of pop, folk, soul and country into a work of brilliance. A mellow record that can be used to unwind after a long frustrating day imitating the calmness of the ocean waves. Enabling you to ease through the rest of the day with a breeze, she does not disappoint.

The album consists of 10 tracks, mostly composed of piano melodies and the occasional horns, an absolute must for Dashew to include. Scanning the themes of love/relationships and self-realization through times of struggle and strength making her music easily relatable. Dashew’s eminent raspy vocals place her into categories along side Fiona Apple and Carole King, breathing life to her poetically romantic lyrics of honesty. It is a pleasant treat to discover a new artist with an old sound mixing the spice of the past with a pinch of the present.

“Where I Belong”: For which the album is named after, is an upbeat ballad of the fight to someone’s heart. It’s a catchy tune of piano chords, horns and simple lyrics, you will find yourself singing long after the song is over. Seeing why it was chosen as the first single off the album, it is definitely a favorite.

“Dear John”: A letter formatted song puts an end to a long relationship with a fellow Dashew playfully refers to as Johnny. Accompanied by piano, she discusses the man’s unfair and controlling habits that she will not stand for anymore. This is by far the most candid track on the album exposing Dashew’s vulnerability making it the most relatable track.

“Traveling Moon”: A recollection of her childhood, sailing the world with her parents and older sister for a number of years, has a slightly different sound than the other tracks. She recalls calling various islands home, exotic beverages and being lost at sea. The line she repeats after each verse, “Traveling Moon” sums up the beauty of the experience. This song sets a scene and frees your imagination; Great for relaxing.

“Take Me In”: A slow-paced piano melody, of seeking guidance and love. Dashew seems to want to be nurtured and accepted for who she is. Another catchy song, that is most enjoyable.

“Everywhere You Go”: Is an upbeat “la la la song” with a horns solo towards the end that will have you tapping your foot to the rhythm. Featuring vocals from her niece and nephew, it’s a raw song about her personality and qualities.

“Call Me Your Girl”: Pain and desperation clearly shine through in her voice as she pleads to be someone’s girl at high vocal pitches. The repetition of the chorus is tiresome.

“Big Love”: Another piano composition, about building a home with a significant other resulting in a break up. Her amazing sorrowful vocals of having to establish a home alone will definitely touch you.

“Almost Here”: Paints a dark and eerie picture with soft seductive background music and smokey vocals. The harshness in Dashew’s voice for this song sets a mood of mystery making the cut among the top songs.
- Review Fix


"This time, Dashew listens to herself"

Chuck Plotkin, one of the people who produced Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.,” also produced Sarah Dashew’s solo debut “Jealous Girl.”

Plotkin is also known for his work with Bob Dylan. It is understandable that a young singer-songwriter like Dashew would yield to his judgment.

The Los Angeles-based artist said Plotkin taught her what a song is. Tonight at the Axe and Fiddle, she will show you what she knows.

“We would sit on the floor of his boat, slapping our knees and figuring out how to tap into the universe’s navel,” she has said of Plotkin.

During a phone interview earlier this week, she expanded on that quote, saying that when you do it correctly, the songs “will not be moved.”

“Fantastic songs, you can rip them to shreds,” she said.

To experiment with what I thought she meant by that, I went to iTunes and looked up classic and influential songs, such as “Where Is My Mind” by the Pixies. Artists have posted a huge number of interpretations, but even on the xylophone-heavy children’s version, the soul of the original song is there.

“A song is such an interesting medium to work in,” Dashew said. “It is bound by rules. You have to have structure. ... There has to be a satisfying sense of completion.

“When you finished listening to it, you have to feel like you went on a journey.”

On her second album, with Plotkin’s lessons embedded in her artistic mosaic, Dashew had a vision. She wanted to find a producer she could (my words here) boss around.

She found it in a friend and a peer, Eric Peterson, who was willing to give her the final say — if she agreed to take the blame. They came up with “Where I Belong,” something more piano-oriented and less brokenhearted than “Jealous Girl.”

Both albums are knockout entries on my short list of works by solo performers with something bigger than themselves to offer to the world.

“Chuck has a legend around him. He has a very powerful legacy,” Dashew said. “I felt like I had to break off from that in order to start feeling confident in my authority as my own person.”

The result is March’s “Where I Belong.” And for a lady who grew up on the water as the daughter of a boat designer, there is something remarkably earthy and stable about this new batch of songs.

The inspiration came when she was asked to write for an independent film, “Blue,” which she described as “Crash” meets “Hustle and Flow.”

Although she hadn’t played a keyboard since she was 11, Dashew “ran out” and got one when the vision for a multilayered, soulful, folk-pop album started coming to her.

Dashew knew she wanted horns, lots of horns. She said that while working on the album she was listening to rhythm and blues and the Beatles, but she assured us she is not trying to be Earth, Wind and Fire.

Dashew’s songs are strong, but not without vulnerability. “Dear John” is the one break-up song, and it’s about as big-hearted as they come.

On “Jealous Girl,” Dashew was calling herself names. But now she’s gone radio-friendly, and her messages are grounded, mature — even a little spiritual.

“It’s totally different,” she said of the new project. “I am in a happier, sweeter, lighter place.”

Some might think it inappropriate to write hopeful — even, gasp, happy — songs at a time when America is at war and the economy is in the tank. But Dashew views her compositions as a form of protest.

“John Lennon is a huge hero of mine,” she said. “When I was a teen, I liked Paul better. As I got older, I started to realize that as messed up as he was, (Lennon) had this beautiful capacity to be optimistic. ...

“And that was his protest, and it was such an audacious thing to do, especially in that (era).”

The optimism was part of her vision, and it’s encapsulated perfectly in the tone-setting “Everywhere You Go.” With its celebratory horns and backing vocals by some tween-age relatives and their friends, it’s a song she called her “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” her “la la” song.

During live shows, she gets the audience to sing along. It is an energetic exchange, and she is as interested in the audience’s voices as they are in hers.

Lately, she has been closing shows with “Everywhere You Go,” then segueing into her trademark freestyle raps.

Yes, she freestyles. And to slip into hip-hop parlance, I have seen her do it, and it’s not only “dope,” but also “off the chain.”

Three years ago, she played Luna, now home to Cafe Maroc, and she almost knocked me out of my chair with her freestyling. It was incredibly cute, but she also managed to burrow into a rhythmic groove and invent some impressive lyrics on the spot.

In college she sang in a gospel choir, and she listened to a preacher’s radio show that he concluded by sending out messages of love in a musical freestyle.

“It’s basically a chance for me to go on a little love rant,” she said. “The show is supposed to be a dialogue, otherwise I would just play in my bedroom.

“It’s my sermon. ... It’s exciting and it’s scary. It’s a chance to completely release the boundaries and the structure and just jump.”
- The Register Guard


"SELF Star: singer/songwriter Sarah Dashew"

Like any musician, Sarah Dashew is looking for fame and fortune. But the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter is the kind of artist possessing the talent and dedication to actually achieve her lofty goals.

The singer traces her roots in the music industry back to her youth, when she spent seven years sailing the world with her family. "With all that time at sea and no TV, we spent a lot of time listening to music," she recalls. "Everything from Chuck Berry and the Beatles to Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin and Bruce Springsteen."

In college, she started singing in a gospel choir - to which she attributes her love of harmony - before moving to Austin, TX. "I thought that there was no better place to start than the self-described live music capital of the world," she says. "Austin is where I really learned how to play a show. The live music scene is fantastic! You'd be hard pressed as a musician to be more challenged anywhere else."

After Austin, Dashew moved to Los Angeles and teamed up producer Chuck Plotkin (Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen), who " taught me the secrets to a solid song and produced my first album [Jealous Girl]." She co-produced her second album, Where I Belong, which came out in March 2010.

"My music sounds different to me, depending on my mood," muses Dashew. "Sometimes, all I hear are lyrics and ache, lovely soul and good pitch and I think, hey, I'm good! And sometimes I'm very self-critical." Her chord-driven melodies and soulful harmonies have earned her comparisons to legends like Janis Joplin and Carole King, and those comparisons are deservedly earned.

"I like to joke that [songwriting] is cheaper than therapy, but like most jokes, there is some truth to it," she says of her songwriting. "Often I'll write a song that I'm very happy with but can't quite figure out where it's coming from. Then six months down the road I'll listen back and have the ah-ha moment: my sub-conscious was dealing with something I couldn't quite process in the literal world."

Dashew's semi-nomadic lifestyle has led her to wholeheartedly embrace life on the road as a performer. "I love everything about performing," she says. "I love how nervous I get beforehand, l love the feel of my mouth on the mike and my guitar strap heavy on my shoulder. But the absolute best part of performing live is on those magic nights when I feel like the audience and I are completely in sync--having a relationship for however long the set lasts--and we talk back and forth and feed each other and it really feels like flying."

In between tours, Dashew calls West Hollywood home, and she always tries to bring a little piece of that with her when she leaves. "I have a favorite natural lavender candle that I like to burn in my bedroom before going to sleep, so when I go on the road I take the candle with me. That way, no matter what little motel I'm in, I can burn the lavender candle and feel at home."

With so many miles logged on the road, staying healthy and fit can be a challenge. "I just came off a tour in the Pacific Northwest, and it was so easy to find organic foods, fresh seafood, just-picked cherries," she explains. "On the other hand, sometimes you'll find yourself in a town where it's all you can do to find a salad with wilted iceberg lettuce and ranch dressing. I typically try to find a health food store in town and load up on natural snacks for the car--celery and peanut butter, hard-boiled eggs and natural energy bars are easy and yummy-- but even gas stations will have nuts and bananas and apples."

"I love to bake. My favorite indulgence is my own chocolate chip cookies. I bake mostly wheat-free and sweeten with agave, but don't let that fool you. They're not low-fat! They're fantastic served hot out of the oven with vanilla ice cream."

To combat those cravings (and gas station dinners) Dashew works out regularly--everything from walking her dog to tough workouts on the elliptical to free weights and lots of sit-ups. "The best for my body confidence is Bikram yoga," she says. "When I'm in my Bikram routine, I feel stronger and more flexible and sexy than any other time. I bring a yoga mat with me on the road. Every night I bring it into my hotel room, and every morning I try to do 20-30 minutes of yoga, sit-ups, push-ups, maybe some band exercises. Then there's performing. I go all out during my shows and that's a very good workout, too!"
- SELF Magazine


"Introducing Phenomenal New Singer/Songwriter, Sarah Dashew!"

When I heard this new singer's voice, chills ran down my spine. I thought to myself, My God, what a great voice. Why haven't people heard about her? That's why I had to tell you all about new singer/songwriter, Sarah Dashew. If you like a folksy-style of singing and really good quality music, I highly recommend her.

I had to find out who she was, tracked her down and had the opportunity of interviewing her:

Sarah, I heard your single, Where I Belong and I fell in love with your voice. For those who haven't heard your music before, how would you best describe it?

Well thank you! First I would describe my music as lyrically driven: I'm a lover of words. But not too many words. The music is earthy, a little raw. My voice is not classically trained--there's smoke in there (though I'm not a smoker) and some ache, hopefully some soul. I started out singing in a gospel choir, which explains my love of harmony. I like major keys and I like resolution, so the melodies are usually light. I've been compared to Janis Joplin and Sheryl Crow and Carole King, all of which I take as compliments.

So that's how I would describe my music. But I'd rather not. I'd rather just play it and have people listen.

You're now touring the Pacific Northwest but you've toured all over. How are the crowds different in each part of the country?

Ah, good question! Well up here people tend to be very polite, very knowledgeable about microbrew beers. The crowds at shows are super nice. The weather seems to influence the culture: outdoorsy but a little quiet, from all the rain. ...Whereas in Texas for example, shows can turn into one big drunken singalong! It's true that everything is bigger in Texas: noisier, prouder, more upfront, bigger hair. (Ha ha.) If I want audience participation down South I almost don't even have to ask for it.

New Yorkers are extra hip, but exceedingly sweet, probably the nicest folks I've ever played to. And of course down in Los Angeles people tend to swivel their heads when someone walks into the club, just in case the new arrival is a celebrity. But they're also very fun and attentive. I have yet to play in the Midwest. My apologies. It's on the list!

Do you write all your own music? What inspires you?

I do write all my own music. I guard it pretty jealously, actually. Writing is the thing I love the most about music, and of course the thing that is most torturous. Hmm, what inspires me? Lovers. A full moon. My dog. Driving. Sleeping. Other music. The swirls cream makes in my coffee. I remember hearing Maya Angelou talking once about starting out with her writing, and someone asked her what she wrote about and she said something along the lines of, "Everything. Diamonds in Arkansas. Everything." I heard that and I sat down and wrote a song called "Diamonds in Arkansas."

Then there's the sea. I grew up sailing around the world with my family and that has inspired my writing from the beginning: the rhythm of waves, the force of ocean, the vastness of all that space, the hellos and goodbyes of constant travel...Several songs on my album are influenced by those elements.

What's your writing process like? Do you have to force yourself to sit down and write? I mean, do you suffer from procrastination?

There's an interesting balance to strike with writing: I find that I have to be both disciplined and relaxed at the same time. I treat it like a job in that I try to exercise and write and practice most days. My mentor Chuck Plotkin taught me that. But I also try to give the work enough space for inspiration to seep in. Hemingway used to talk about stopping his work for the day when he knew what was going to happen next, so that there would be something left for the subconscious to work on during the night and refill the well. That's what I try to do. But there is sometimes a fine line between leaving room for inspiration and falling into procrastination.


Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I see myself happy, healthy, writing good music, maybe living abroad, and playing sold out shows wherever I go! Not too much to ask, is it?

- The Huffington Post


"Indie-Music - Album Review - Jealous Girl"

Frankness, difficult themes and vocal beauty rarely come together as they do on Sarah Dashew's Jealous Girl.

Whether it's depression, the end of love, suicide or jealousy, Dashew never holds back lyrically. In some instances this can be somewhat cliché, perhaps even a bit embarrassing (too much information!), but in other instances ("Brad Pitt," "Brent" and "Put Me First" to name a few) the frankness is arresting and stays with you long after the CD player is turned off.

Dashew's voice is commercial in the best sense of the word -- you want to hear voices like this on the radio. I suppose you could draw a reference to Sheryl Crow, but I was feeling more of a The-Softer-Side-of-Maria McKee vibe.

In any event, it's her own and you just have to love her for using it to sing lyrics like "I'm an asshole," "I don't mean to alarm you but I think the world is fucked" and referring to post-sexual soreness. After all, she could have used her accomplished pipes to sing harmless little ballads that would have had them clapping in the rest homes, talking about what a sweet little voice that Dashew girl has. No such easy out for our girl Sarah, and she benefits accordingly.

If I have one overarching concern about the record, it's that the lyrics are dense and meandering. There is less time for listeners to breathe mentally than there might need to be given the heavy and confessional subject matter. Songs like "Brent" and "Texas" are stronger because they repeat a few simple words and phrases more than, say, "Brad Pitt." With time, Dashew will hopefully distill her lyrics into the same delicious brew that her voice has already become.

Looking for some quirky, countrified story-telling sung with the voice of a true talent? Pick up Sarah Dashew's Jealous Girl.
- Indie-Music


"Music Connection - Live Review - The Gig"

Musicianship: When Dashew sings, it’s clear she wants you to pay attention. She provides a full vocal range, from Texas twang to rapid-fire rap with plenty of sexy, bluesy, Janis Joplin-style moments that keep her audience at high alert.

Performance: With her hair bouncing, her guitar swinging every which way, and her big eyes flashing, Dashew is a powerhouse who would never be mistaken for mere background entertainment. She was such a strong presence; in fact, that it would have been easy to think she was the only one performing.

Summary: When you consider her captivating lyrics and gifted musicianship, it’s a wonder Sarah Dashew has not yet been signed. She’s certainly earned the exposure, having opened for the likes of Suzanne Vega, Pushmonkey, Cowboy Junkies and Michelle Shocked. Now, with her confident, high-energy performance style, she’s ready to have someone open for her.

- Music Connection


"Edge Magazine - Sarah Sings"

Sarah sings with the intensity and emotion of some of the best around—people like Sheryl Crow and Fiona Apple…

Overflowing, rhythmic and super fresh ...full of content, passion and sweetness. - The Edge Magazine


"Easy Reader - Live Review - Hotel Cafe"

Sarah Dashew is one of LA's great emerging artists...I have a hard time pinning her style but to me it's like someone put Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen and Janis Joplin all in a blender...She's captivating and I just can't wait to see her again: she's that good...This artist is in the category of "must see" and gets an A from me. - Easy Reader


"Conquering Rock - album review"

Jealous Girl is an album tailor-made to launch Sarah Dashew into the music stratosphere.
Her deep soul-searching lyrics, unstoppable rhythms and heart-shaking voice are all relentlessly seductive... - Conquering Rock


"Music Connection - Live Review - Hotel Cafe"

Sarah Dashew makes good use of the mundane and ordinary, which she converts into extraordinary songs. Dashew’s music appeals to a cross-section of the population, and truly has something for everyone. Especially noteworthy are “What You Owe,” which has commercial charm a la vintage Sheryl Crow, and “Hash it Out,” which is an upbeat country-pop song with killer harmonica parts. Dashew shows her rock roots on the Genesis-influenced “Empty,” while “Morningtime” is a perfect closing song, revealing incredible guitar picking.
Musicianship: The combination of Wells and Kaefel on bass and drums is smooth and tight, and a perfect fit with Dashew’s guitar. Kaefel proves himself versatile on the country-pop songs as well as with jazz and rock. Dashew’s vocals are commanding. Her harmonica is strong without being annoying, and fits nicely with the rest of the instruments.
Performance: Dashew’s set commanded attention. The audience was glued to the stage, while they gave her their rapt attention. Covering a wide range of topics, Dashew delivered songs that worked lyrically and musically. The set was far too short and only touched upon her excellence, leaving the audience wanting more.
Summary: Sarah Dashew’s originality is impressive, as she sets her routine announcements to music and even turned her band introductions into a song. Dashew is well on her way to headlining bigger venues.
- Music Connection


"Sing Out! - Album Review - Jealous Girl"

"Former Texan Sarah Dashew hooked up with only the best producers and musicians, yielding a release with a contemporary pop, yet easily digestible musicality...Sophisticated vocally and musically, Sarah's lyrics honestly display the angst of someone young, and are blunt at times, rather than subtle. Sarah isn't worried about pretending to know more than what she experiences or observes, and that is the first rule of writing...This is a positive and ambitious first recording for the now Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter."
-Sing Out! Winter 2007 - Sing Out!


Discography

- Where I Belong (released 2010, available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby) has 10 tracks. "Take Me In" was featured on Ugly Betty's celebrity playlist.
- 5 Holiday Songs EP (released 2008, available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby)
- Jealous Girl (released 2006, available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby) has 12 tracks. "Jealous Girl" and "Hash It Out" were featured on the hit TV show My Name Is Earl.

Photos

Bio

With her smoky vocal style and signature blonde curls, Sarah Dashew is rapidly carving out her own niche in the independent music scene. Her music is highly relatable – balancing strength and vulnerability, depth and whimsy – and exudes Dashew’s spirit and personality in every lyric and melody. Drawing upon influences as diverse as James Taylor and Prince, her unique style walks a fine line between folk, pop, country and soul.

Dashew (pronounced like “cashew” with a “d”) most recently released her sophomore album Where I Belong; a ten track set which blends her personal journeys of love, place, and belonging. A quick glance at titles like “Call Me Your Girl,” “Take Me In,” and “Everywhere You Go,” allude to the thematic nature of its content. The title track — and the album’s first single — is a light, sweet love song with a spirited horn solo that sets an upbeat tone for the rest of the album. In addition to writing and performing every track on the album, Dashew also co-produced the project with Los Angeles based producer Eric Peterson.

Sarah grew up sailing around the world with her family (her dad is a boat designer), listening to the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Van Morrison, and Janis Joplin – references recognizable in Dashew’s voice today. Inspired by song since her early childhood, Dashew acknowledged music as her calling after watching a soulful gospel performance in college. She joined the choir and later moved to Austin, TX where she learned to write and perform alongside local favorites.

Dashew’s first album, Jealous Girl, debuted in 2006 and was produced by Chuck Plotkin (of Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan fame). Jealous Girl was applauded by reviewers, who called her work “rhythmic and super fresh,” and said it was “full of content, passion and sweetness.” Two singles off the album were featured on the hit NBC show My Name Is Earl and another was included on the celebrity playlist of ABC’s Ugly Betty.

Dashew has toured throughout the United States and Europe, and continues to play local gigs throughout the Los Angeles area. In her live performances, she has that magical combination of confidence and restraint that just draws you in. She often does something truly unique to close her show – she calls it a “love rant” and it falls somewhere between a free-style rap and a preacher’s sermon.

Sarah currently resides in West Hollywood with her beautiful, goofy standard poodle, Luca.

“When I heard this new singer’s voice, chills ran down my spine. I thought to myself, My God, what a great voice. Why haven’t people heard about her? That’s why I had to tell you all about new singer/songwriter, Sarah Dashew. If you like a folksy-style of singing and really good quality music, I highly recommend her.”-HUFFINGTON POST

“Sarah Dashew is an amazing musician. She’s like Janis Joplin meets Sheryl Crow, but with better hair! On stage, she’s 100% rock, and controls a room better than a Baptist Preacher…” -CWG

"With her authentic sound and straight from the heart lyrics,
singer/song writer, Sarah Dashew, is a rare gem among the many carbon copies found in the music industry.“ -REVIEW FIX

“Yes, she freestyles. And to slip into hip-hop parlance, I have seen her do it, and it’s not only ‘dope,’ but also ‘off the chain.’” -THE REGISTER-GUARD

“Like any musician, Sarah Dashew is looking for fame and fortune. But the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter is the kind of artist possessing the talent and dedication to actually achieve her lofty goals.” -SELF MAGAZINE