Sarah Blasko

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Sarah Blasko
A woman singing into microphone, looking forward, left arm is raised in a white robe with a multicolor necklace.
Sarah Blasko performing at
The Astor Theatre, 2010.
Background information
Birth name Sarah Elizabeth Blaskow
Born (1976-09-23) 23 September 1976 (age 36)
Origin Sydney, Australia
Genres Indie rock, indie pop, Anti-folk
Years active 1995–present
Labels Dew Process / Universal Music
Low Altitude
Associated acts Acquiesce, Sorija
Website sarahblasko.com

Sarah Elizabeth Blaskow[1] (born 23 September 1976) is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician.[2] Blasko developed her solo career after fronting Sydney-based band, Acquiesce, between the mid-1990s and 2002.[citation needed]

In 2007, Blasko won the "Best Pop Release" award for What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have at the ARIA Music Awards.[3] Her album, As Day Follows Night, won the "Best Female Artist" award at the 2009 ARIA Awards.[3][4]

Contents

Early life [edit]

Blasko was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, in 1976, soon after her family returned from French-speaking Réunion, where both parents were Christian missionaries.[5][6][7] Blasko's mother was a nurse and her father a teacher; both parents were from a Bulgarian/German background.[7][8] Upon their return to Australia, Blasko's parents frequently changed churches and settled at a Pentecostal church in Sydney, which later became the Hillsong Church.[6]

While in high school, Blasko and her older sister, Kate, formed a jazz-blues group.[2][7] By the age of 15, Blasko was concerned she "wouldn't make it" and was partially influenced by the apocalyptic message of the "End of the World" and "Christ's Return". Blasko eventually left the church in her final year of school, declaring that its emphasis on material success "just didn't fit" with her, or her interpretation of the scriptures. However, Blasko has since stated that she thinks she still believes in "God", despite her perception that such an admission is unpopular in Australia.[6] She had no formal singing lessons until aged 19 and started playing guitar.[7] At university, Blasko completed a degree in English literature and film.[7][9]

Acquiesce [edit]

From 1998, as Sarah Semmens, she fronted Sydney band Acquiesce on lead vocals, with founding members Paul Camilleri on guitar, Steve Foxe on violin, Dave Hemmings on drums, Ted Langtree on bass guitar and her sister Kate Halcrow on harmony vocals.[10][11] Tracks were co-written by Blasko and Camilleri,[11] Acquiesce recorded an EP, Aa for Acquiesce, released in September 1999.[10] Dave Cullen (of Brotherhood Lush) replaced Langtree on bass guitar and they released a single, "Breathe In", in November 2000.[10] Both EP and single were produced by Hugh Wilson (Brotherhood Lush).[11][12] Acquiesce received some local attention in 1999 by winning a national campus band competition.[13] Acquiesce disbanded by January 2001 and Blasko teamed-up with acoustic guitarist, Nick Schneider in the short-lived project Sorija,[14][15] an acoustic pop/electronic duo, they played gigs in Sydney until April 2002.[14] Early in her career, Blasko says she had an unsuccessful marriage.[16]

Personal style [edit]

Blasko is known for her vintage tastes in clothes, music and art, and she revealed in a Rolling Stone (Australia) interview: "I like things that are old and have been lived in. It probably started as a kid when my family shopped at Vinnie's because we hardly had any money. I like things that stand the test of time."[17]

Solo career [edit]

In 2002, Blasko went solo and released her debut EP Prelusive. She released and promoted her material independently, with financial assistance from her manager Craig New.[11] She also produced the music video for lead track, "Your Way".[11] Blasko eventually signed to Brisbane-based label, Dew Process, which repackaged and re-released Prelusive in March 2003.[18]

Debut album [edit]

Main article: The Overture & the Underscore

In October 2004, Blasko released her debut album, The Overture & the Underscore, recorded in Hollywood at the studio of engineer Wally Gagel. She co-produced with Gagel and fellow songwriter Robert F. Cranny.[5] Gagel engineered and mixed the album, with assistance from Bruce MacFarlane. Joey Waronker played all and percussion.[5] Cranny also played various instruments on the album.

The album met with critical acclaim and received platinum accreditation in Australia for sales of over 70,000,[19] and peaked into the Top 40 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[20] In 2005, Blasko received four ARIA Music Awards nominations, including 'Album of the Year'.[3]

Three music videos were produced for album tracks: "Don't U Eva", "Always Worth It" and "Perfect Now".

Her debut EP and album focused around acoustic guitar and utilized both live and programmed drums.[13]

Bernard Zuel reviewed the album for The Sydney Morning Herald, saying "Blasko works in the territory where Ed Harcourt and Fiona Apple shine, taking some of the new acoustic framework (think Turin Brakes) and some of the folk-meets-electronica stuff that came out in the post-Portishead years and applies them to straightforward pop songs."[13]

What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have [edit]

Main article: What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have

Blasko spent April 2006 recording her second album in Auckland, New Zealand at Roundhead Studio, the studio of Crowded House frontman Neil Finn.[21] She produced the album with Cranny and Moginie[22] and it featured musical contributions from Dave Symes, Jeff De Araujo, Moginie and Cranny;[22] Victor Van Vugt mixed the record.[22]

The first radio-only single released from the album was "Explain" on 11 September, with a music video viewable on Blasko's official website. The next single, "Always on This Line", also had a video. A video was also made for "Planet New Year". "Explain" reached No. 79 and "Always on this Line" achieved No. 58 on Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2006.[23] The album was released in Australia on 21 October, it debuted at No. 7 on the ARIA Albums Charts[20] and has received platinum accreditation.[19]

As Day Follows Night [edit]

Main article: As Day Follows Night
Blasko performing at the ARIA Music Awards ceremony, Acer Arena, Sydney, in November 2009. She won 'Best Female Artist' for her album As Day Follows Night.

In 2008, Blasko composed the score (with Stefan Gregory) for Bell Shakespeare's production of Hamlet, which ran in July–August.[24] While working on the Hamlet score, Blasko also began composing for her third studio album, As Day Follows Night.[24] Blasko recorded it in Stockholm, Sweden, and blogged on her official site about her experiences from January 2009.[25] She had written the songs without input from long term co-writer, Cranny—their creative and personal relationship had ended.[16] Blasko decided to record in a simpler and more straight forward manner—without electric guitars and keyboards.[24] The album was produced by Bjorn Yttling (of Peter Bjorn and John)[16][24] and released in Australia on 10 July, peaking at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[20]

Seeker Lover Keeper [edit]

Main article: Seeker Lover Keeper

In 2010, Blasko recorded an album in New York with fellow Australian singer-songwriters Holly Throsby and Sally Seltmann. The group and subsequent album were titled Seeker Lover Keeper. The debut album for the group hit No. 3 on the ARIA Charts in June 2011, Blasko's highest chart entry. The trio embarked on a national tour to promote the album in June and July 2011.[26]

I Awake [edit]

Main article: I Awake

On November 5, 2012, Blasko released her latest album, I Awake. She planned to tour Australia, visiting every capital city, to promote the album in February, 2013. She also planned to invite an orchestra in each capital city to accompany her.[27]

Touring [edit]

Sarah Blasko has toured extensively in Australia, as well as the US, Canada, UK and Ireland. Although the exact configuration varies, she performs with a five or six piece band usually consisting of drums, electric and synth bass, acoustic and electric guitar plus keyboards and various samplers/ effects units. Due to the breadth of arrangement most of the touring musicians are multi-instrumentalists.

She also performed in a duo with Cranny accompanying on guitar and keyboards. In both formats, Blasko plays acoustic guitar and occasional keyboards. She has toured with folk/roots artists such as Ray LaMontagne and played outdoor rock festivals.

Blasko has toured the UK and Ireland with Tom McRae, and US and Canada with Ray LaMontagne, James Blunt and Martha Wainwright. She has played at Woodford Folk Festival, The Falls Festival, Homebake, Splendour in the Grass, Festival of the Sun, WOMADelaide festival and in 2006 joined the national Big Day Out tour.

In March 2007 Blasko performed a special concert in Perth, Western Australia in the Octagon Theatre of the University of Western Australia. Blasko supported by a string quartet and a local guitarist.

In January 2009, Blasko played to thousands at the Southbound festival in Busselton, Western Australia.

In May 2010 Sarah Blasko toured the UK supporting The Temper Trap. Later that year she also toured through the rest of Europe.

In 2012, Blasko performed with Snow Patrol at their acoustic shows in Melbourne (September 30) and Sydney (October 1). She joined lead singer Gary Lightbody for the duet "Set Fire to the Third Bar".

Discography [edit]

Studio albums [edit]

List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart
positions		 Certifications
AUS
[28]		 UK
[29]
The Overture & the Underscore 35 —
What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have
  • Released: 21 October 2006
  • Label: Dew Process
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 7 —
As Day Follows Night
  • Released: 10 July 2009
  • Label: Dew Process
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 5 191
Seeker Lover Keeper[a]
  • Released: 3 June 2011
  • Label: Dew Process
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 3 —
I Awake
  • Released: 26 October 2012
  • Label: Dew Process
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 9 —
— denotes releases that failed to chart.

Live albums [edit]

List of albums, with selected details
Title Album details
Live at the Forum
  • Released: 9 July 2010
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: Dew Process
  • Mix Engineer: Sam Lowe

Extended plays [edit]

List of EPs, with selected details
Title Album details
Prelusive
  • Released: September 2002
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: Independent
Live at the Playroom
  • Released: 1 September 2007
  • Format: digital download
  • Label: Dew Process

Singles [edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Title Peak chart
positions		 Album
AUS
[28]
2004 "Don't U Eva" 88 The Overture & the Underscore
2006 "Flame Trees" — Non-album Single
"{Explain}" — What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have
"Always On This Line" —
2009 "Always On This Line" — As Day Follows Night
"No Turning Back" —
"We Won't Run" 44
— denotes releases that failed to chart.

Other charting songs [edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Title Peak chart
positions		 Album
AUS
[33]
2011 "Even Though I'm A Woman" 80 Seeker Lover Keeper
— denotes releases that failed to chart.

Other contributions [edit]

  • Tomorrow, When the War Began film soundtrack – "Flame Trees"
  • Little Fish soundtrack – "Flame Trees"
  • She Will Have Her Way: Songs of Tim and Neil Finn – "Don't Dream It's Over"
  • Like a Version 2 – "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
  • Write Your Adventures Down: A Tribute to The Go Betweens – "Bye, Bye Pride", "Hold Your Horses" (with Darren Hanlon)
  • The Devoted Few Schematic Tracks Remix EP – "Nothing Ever Changes".
  • Peabody The New Violence album – "Got You on My Radar", "The Weight Just Right", "Song for Val", "Got Your Hooks In"
  • Nations by the River Holes in the Valley album – "Heart Attack Romance", "Cracking Up", "Would It Be Nice", "The Prettiest Girl"
  • Bluebottle Kiss Doubt Seeds double album – "Speak Up Memory", "Dream Audit"
  • GB3 Emptiness Is Our Business album – "Nothing in the Way"
  • Duet with Holly Throsby for a cover of the Brian Eno classic 'By This River' on the 'One of You for Me' EP
  • FBi Radio Live Feed compilation – 'We Wont Run' live at the Metro, Sydney

Notes [edit]

^ a With Holly Throsby and Sally Seltmann under the name Seeker Lover Keeper.

Awards [edit]

ARIA awards [edit]

Blasko has won two Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Music Awards from 14 nominations.[3][34][35]

Year Recipient Award Result
2003 Prelusive Best Female Artist Nominated
2004 The Overture & the Underscore Album of the Year Nominated
Best Female Artist Nominated
Best Pop Release Nominated
Breakthrough Artist – Album Nominated
2007 What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have Best Female Artist Nominated
Best Pop Release Won
Sharon Chai, Sarah Blasko – What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have Best Cover Art Nominated
Paul McKercher – What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have Engineer of the Year Nominated
2009 As Day Follows Night Album of the Year Nominated
Best Female Artist Won
Best Pop Release Nominated
Sharon Chai – As Day Follows Night Best Cover Art Nominated
Head Pictures, Damon Escott, Stephen Lance – "All I Want" Best Video Nominated

Other awards [edit]

Year Award-giving Body Award Result
2006 Australian Music Prize The Amp (What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have)[36] Nominated
J Award Australian Album of the Year (What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have)[21] Nominated
Jack Awards Best Female Live Performer[37] Won
2009 J Award Australian Album of the Year (As Day Follows Night)[38] Won
2010 APRA Music Award Song of the Year ("All I Want")[39] Nominated

References [edit]

  1. ^ ""Be Tonight" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 18 November 2009. 
  2. ^ a b La Gorce, Tammy. "Sarah Blasko > Biography". Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 18 November 2009. 
  3. ^ a b c d "ARIA Awards 2009 : History: Winners by Artist: Sarah Blasko". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2009. 
  4. ^ "ARIA Awards 2009 Winners". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2009. 
  5. ^ a b c "Blasko, Sarah". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. 15 January 2004. Retrieved 18 November 2009. 
  6. ^ a b c Zuel, Bernard (20 November 2006). "Sarah Blasko – Gig Reviews – Music – Entertainment". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
  7. ^ a b c d e Zuel, Bernard (4 February 2005). "God, she's good". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 21 November 2009. 
  8. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s3442271.htm
  9. ^ Collins, Simon (19 November 2009). "Music Review: Sarah Blasko". The West Australian (West Australian Newspapers Limited). Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
  10. ^ a b c Spencer, Chris; Zbig Nowara, Paul McHenry with notes by Ed Nimmervoll (2002) [1987]. "Acquiesce". The Who's Who of Australian Rock. Noble Park, Victoria: Five Mile Press. ISBN 978-1-86503-891-9. Retrieved 27 November 2009.  More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help) Note: [on-line] version established at White Room Electronic Publishing Pty Ltd in 2007 and was expanded from the 2002 edition.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Sarah Blasko". Music Australia. National Library of Australia. 3 April 2007. Retrieved 27 November 2009. 
  12. ^ "Hugh Wilson on AirPlay Direct". AirPlay Direct. Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
  13. ^ a b c Zuel, Bernard (8 October 2004). "The Overture & the Underscore, Sarah Blasco – CD Reviews". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
  14. ^ a b "Club Acoustica – Artists – Sorija". Club Acoustica. Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
  15. ^ "Club Acoustica – Artists – Sarah Blasko". Club Acoustica. Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
  16. ^ a b c Zuel, Bernard (4 July 2009). "How soul music saved Sarah Blasko". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 19 November 2009. 
  17. ^ Jason Treuen (1 September 2009). "On Tour with Sarah Blasko". Rolling Stone Australia (ACP Magazines). Retrieved 22 December 2009. 
  18. ^ "Prelusive EP > Overview". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
  19. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
  20. ^ a b c "Discography Sarah Blasko". Australian charts portal. australian-charts.com. Retrieved 15 November 2009. 
  21. ^ a b "The J Award – Nominated Albums – Sarah Blasko / What The Sea Wants, The Sea Will Have". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 2006. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
  22. ^ a b c "What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have > Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
  23. ^ "2006 – history – triple j hottest 100". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 22 November 2009. 
  24. ^ a b c d Silva, Bonita (July 2009). "The Interview: Sarah Blasko" (PDF). Vertigo (University of Technology, Sydney). pp. 30–31. Retrieved 21 November 2009. 
  25. ^ Blasko, Sarah (25 January 2009). "The Adventure Begins..". Sarah Blasko official website. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
  26. ^ Zuel, Bernard (17 June 2011). "All together now ladies ...". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 June 2011. 
  27. ^ "Sarah Blasko". Retrieved 29/12/2012. 
  28. ^ a b Sarah Blasko iscography
  29. ^ "Chart Log UK: 1994–2010". The Official Charts Company. The Zobbel Website. Retrieved 21 December 2011. 
  30. ^ a b ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 Albums
  31. ^ ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Albums
  32. ^ ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Albums
  33. ^ The ARIA Report – Issue 1111
  34. ^ "2009 ARIA Awards details announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
  35. ^ "2009 ARIA Awards Nominees". The Age (Melbourne: Fairfax Media). 20 October 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2009. 
  36. ^ "Augie March take out AMP award". The Advertiser (News Corporation). 7 March 2007. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2009. 
  37. ^ "Living End win four Jacks". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). 22 June 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2009. 
  38. ^ "The J Award – Sarah Blasko / As Day Follows Night". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009. 
  39. ^ "Nominations for Song of the Year – 2010". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 27 May 2010. 

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