Sarah Wheeler

BIOGRAPHY: SARAH WHEELER

“Sarah Wheeler finally puts her gutsy and strident voice front and center with an album that’s gorgeous, often epic, never predictable, and ever so slightly unsettling.”
-Georgia Straight best of Vancouver 2005

Sarah Wheeler is a Canadian singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who’s influences land her squarely in the what the heck was that category. Armed with the belief that it is the responsibility of the artist to seek awareness of as many musical influences as possible, Sarah makes it her mission to be an avid listener. Her interests range from experimental jazz and classical, to avant-rock electoacoustic composition and world, however the music that hits closest to the heart for Sarah is acoustic influenced folk and alternative country music.

"Although often categorized as a folk artist, Wheeler's idiosyncratic
style makes a pat description difficult. Think maybe of the unpredictable whoops and sighs of Mary Margaret O'Hara, Laura Nyro and Tanya Donnelly; the rich lyrical imagery of Jane Siberry or Laura Nyro; and the confessional nakedness of Ani DiFranco and Carole King."
- Hype Magazine

Sarah Wheeler is a singer’s singer, and a performer’s performer all wrapped up in one great package. A seasoned performer, her credits on other people’s records is endless: vocals on Geoff Berner’s CD; bass, drums and vocals with Tanya Tagaq Gillis (who went on to become Bjork’s backing vocalist); bass playing with Carmaig DeForest; guest vocalist on the solo record of New Pornographers' frontman A.C. Newman; vocals, drums and guitar with Tennessee Twin...

Even though she has worked her magic in many other people’s projects, this Vancouver-based artist has remained focused and motivated to continue working on her own music. As it should be; hers is a voice that stops people in their tracks; the beautiful vibrato of Jeff Buckley, the strength of seasoned gospel choir member, the cheeky rock-sass of Robert Plant in his days of tight blue jeans and big hair swoops_this woman has it. In spades.

"Sarah Wheeler has a voice that should lead a large-scale gospel choir." Kerry Gold, Vancouver Sun

After two years of working on her full-length solo record, Black Helicopters is finally ready for release. Recorded at Vancouver’s historic Mushroom Studios and mixed at Brian Adams’ Warehouse Studios, this CD is a combination of blood, sweat and determination. Ask her about it; she’ll tell you how she saved up her record store salary to make her musical dreams come true.

But let’s face it: anyone can buy time in a studio. If you look at the credits, however, you’ll see an extensive list of A-list players and co-producers, all working with Sarah out of respect and love of her songs and her voice. "I basically just wanted to work with all of my favorite musicians and record it in a way that would be like a dream come true. It actually did happen that way, but just over a long, long period of time." Years of being inspired by many masters Richard Thompson, Emmylou Harris, Fairport Convention and Neil Young to name a few has helped to cultivate her craft, and her songwriting and performing skills show the proof.
As worthy of praise as the CD is, her live show is all that and then some. Whether performing on the Folk Festival circuit, or playing clubs like the El Mocambo and Foufones Electriques, her live show will make you laugh out loud one minute and take your breath away the next.

Her songs and her new record are timeless. No wind machines, no synchronized dance moves. Just years of inspiration and dedication behind her, and many years to go.