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Sahara Smith

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Sahara Smith
Austin Music Awards (2011)
Austin Music Awards (2011)
Background information
Born (1988-09-26) September 26, 1988 (age 36)
OriginAustin, Texas, United States
GenresFolk rock, alternative
Years active2006–present
LabelsPlaying In Traffic
Websitesaharasmith.net

Sahara Smith (born September 26, 1988) is an American singer-songwriter who released her debut album in 2010.

Early life

Sahara (her father hiccuped while suggesting "Sara," and both parties liked the mistake[1]) Smith was born in Austin, Texas and spent her youth in Wimberley, Texas. She began writing poetry at age 3, with a poem published in the "Anthology of Poetry for Young Americans" while in the second grade,[1] music at age twelve and at age fifteen took second place in A Prairie Home Companion's 'Talent from 12-20' contest on May 8, 2004, performing "It Don't Rain Much" and "Twilight Red".[2][3][4] A studio recording of "Twilight Red" would be included on her debut album.

Career

Smith on stage in 2010.

Producer T-Bone Burnett noticed Smith and took her into the studio to record her debut album, Myth of the Heart, which was released in 2010 and described as a "hybrid of folk, Americana, country and bluegrass".[5][6][7] Smith appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman in November 2010.[8] Smith says her musical influences include Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits.[3]

In 2006 an Austin Chronicle music reporter said: "Her musical sophistication and the uncanny maturity of her lyrics astonished me" and she is "the most gifted young performer I've seen in 26 years."[9] A Seventeen article described her as a "striking, lanky redhead [who] exudes confidence and grace" and described her vocals as "a mixture of the soulful folk melodies of Jewel with the soothing vocals of Norah Jones”.[10]

A Los Angeles Times music reviewer said "Smith creates Cinemascope-like wide-screen portraits of romantic passion, loneliness and unrequited love in her richly impressive, intensely soulful debut album."[11] Other reviewers mention her "smoky voice, bluesy folk sound"[12] that "invokes lazy summer nights and sweaty slow dancing".[13]

In June 2013 she rebranded herself as "Girl Pilot"[14] and is working on a new 10-song album. "The name Girl Pilot comes from a book of comics from the 1940s called "Smilin' Jack and the Daredevil Girl Pilot" that I've had since I was 13. I've carried that name around with me for years, and because my new album is so different from the last, and so indicative of who I am now, this feels like the perfect moment to use it. I've never been so excited to do what I do, or felt so eager to take control of my life and my career. Girl Pilot feels somehow correct."[15]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
US US Rock US Heat US Indie
2010 Myth Of The Heart
  • Released: 2010
  • Label: Playing In Traffic Records
 - - - -

Music videos

Year Video Director
2010 "The Real Thing" Rosalyn Rosen
2010 "Thousand Secrets" Rosalyn Rosen

References

  1. ^ a b "'Myth' becomes reality for Wimberley's Smith". Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  2. ^ (September 17, 2010)Sahara Smith in Concert, NPR Music, Retrieved Feb 27, 2012
  3. ^ a b (August 27, 2010) Sahara Smith; Oliver Twist in Atlanta Wall Street Journal, Retrieved Feb 27 2012
  4. ^ "Talent Show Winner and Contestants Saturday, May 8, 2004". Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  5. ^ Caldwell, Patrick. "'Myth' becomes reality for Wimberley's Smith". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  6. ^ (June 7, 2011) Sahara Smith on Mountain Stage NPR Music, Retrieved Feb 27 2012
  7. ^ "Sahara Smith Album Review". The Wall Street Journal. 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  8. ^ "IMDb". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  9. ^ Ventura, Michael. "Letters at 3AM". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  10. ^ Magazine, Seventeen. "new artist: sahara smith". Seventeen. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  11. ^ Lewis, Randy. "Sahara Smith Album Review". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  12. ^ Baker, Whitney. "Best of What's Next: Sahara Smith". Paste. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  13. ^ "new artist: sahara smith". Glamour. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  14. ^ playingintraffic (June 11, 2013). "Sahara Smith Becomes girl pilot". Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  15. ^ "About girl pilot". Archived from the original on 10 June 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
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