10 Questions with…Sara Jackson-Holman
The Internet is a truly splendid thing.
Last month, while watching the closing scene of the season finale of ABC’s “Castle”, I heard this lovely song in the background and had to know who was responsible for putting a smile on my face. A Google search or two led me to the MySpace page of Oregon’s Sara Jackson-Holman, the piano-playing singer-songwriter whose song, “Into the Blue”, had me repeatedly rewinding the end of my television program. A few emails (thanks to Alex at www.InMusicWeTrust.com) and dozens of listens to the tracks on her MySpace page later, and here we are. To crib the title of Drake’s new album, you can thank me later for introducing you to this great young talent.
10 Questions with…Sara Jackson-Holman
What was growing up as an artist in Oregon like?
Lovely. I love Oregon. Initially, I played classical piano, and the environment was really perfect for that in Bend. It is a smaller town, hence a smaller piano community, which was nice, because at recitals and competitions, people are for the most part pretty supportive of one another. I think there are so many things to be inspired by in Oregon. I love the moody coast, the cascade mountains, the high desert. Writing in such a landscape rich environment is a bit easier, I’d think.
One thing artists rarely write songs about is the road from “there” to “here”. Describe the journey from tinkering to live performance to recording your first album.
I started playing piano lessons when I was six. I played at countless piano recitals, and placed in many competitions. I participated in choir from 6th through 12th grades, but, though my mother suggested it several times, I had no inclination to write music. Two years ago, my freshman year of college, I wrote my first song. That following summer (2008), I wrote a couple more songs to perform at a local open mic night– where my songwriting and performing was well received and encouraged. I continued to write music in my free time, for fun, until I received a message from Anthony McNamer (Owner of Expunged Records) after I wrote a typical fan post on Blind Pilot’s (the other band on Expunged Records) myspace wall. Over the next couple months, I wrote the other half of my album, and was signed in early August (2009).
While the Adele/Feist comparisons have merit, there’s an older jazz facet to your vocals that is intriguing. Have you been influenced by artists such as Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald?
No, but I’ve been compared more to Billie Holiday than to anyone else. It wasn’t until people had repeatedly told me I sounded a bit like her that I looked into her music. I didn’t really become a serious music-listener until college, and now, with more exposure, I have discovered a love of old jazz music, especially 40′s music.
What artist/song was your first example of how to successfully blend classical and pop music?
I can’t think of any really… I am just so heavily influenced by my 15 years of classical piano training. That is what I played, when I played the piano– classical elements and sounds are so embedded in my mind and fingers that they naturally found their way into my songs.
Your ear for lyrics is quite unexpected in such a young artist. Who were some of your writing influences growing up?
I love to read. I’ve always been fascinated by words and language (I love my thesaurus). When I was younger, some of my earlier favorite novels were Little Women and Pride and Prejudice, and my favorite poet was John Donne. Now, I’d say some of my favorite novels are Heart of Darkness (Joseph Conrad), Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy), Portrait of a Lady (Henry James), Pale Fire (Vladimir Nabakov)… I could go on and on… Currently I’m reading War and Peace. I also love e.e. cummings, T.S. Eliot, and a million other poets.
What was your first thought when you heard “Into the Blue” on television?
It was strange, and surreal, hearing my own voice from the television.
As a music listener, what’s on heavy rotation for you these days?
Right this second, I am in love with Mumford and Sons. I also like Florence and the Machine, Noah and the Whale, Vampire Weekend, the Amelie soundtrack (Yann Tiersen) & Sigur Ros.
Chris Martin of Coldplay once said that his songs had a silver lining, no matter how sad. How difficult is it for you to write songs that often reflect this very same approach, balancing past and future?
I’m an optimist. Tomorrow is a new day, and I can’t wait for it to come. I think tomorrow makes songs about the past a bit easier to write.
With the world opening up to you and your music with every new fan, what’s up next for Sara Jackson-Holman?
Touring, and looking to write for my next album.
Lastly, what book, film, or meal would best compliment the experience of listening to your new album, When You Dream?
a cup of coffee by the fire.
Sara Jackson-Holman’s When You Dream is out now.
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