of all the fishes in the sea
there's no one quite like me
but you left me broken like a starfish
and i wonder when you'll regret it
-sks 17/7/98
The songs on Sarah Stefanson's debut album "broken like a starfish" tell painful stories, the sort of happenings that break you. But like a starfish regenerating, they are the kind of things you can learn from, rebuild and grow. The album, released in December of 1998, features Sarah's biting lyrical insights, strong mature vocals, and sparkling 12-string guitar. Joining Sarah on the CD are some of Saskatoon's most talented musicians (see attached sheet for list of players). The CD was engineered, mixed, and mastered by Neil Meckelborg at Remote Recorders in Saskatoon. The album has received a considerable amount of play on Saskatoon's community radio station, CFCR 90.5 FM. Sarah's song "angel" is featured on a Canadian Independent Box Set produced by Ontario's Meathead Records.
Sarah started writing songs at the age of fifteen and has been playing as a professional musician since 1997. She has been a regular performer at coffeeshops and bars in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan. She is a versatile performer who has been featured among the line-up at several high profile folk music festivals. She has played gigs as far away as Colorado and Australia. (see attached sheet for list of venues played) Sarah has been an active member of the Saskatchewan Original Music Association (SOMA) and the Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association (SRIA). In 1999, Sarah started a production company with her sister, Amy, called "Sarnamy Stories" that puts on self-promoted and financed concerts and plays. Sarah and her partner, Aaron Sinclair, traveled to Toronto in November of 1999 where they appeared on an episode of CBC's Jonovision which was broadcast nationally on December 2 of that year. Shortly prior to this trip, Sarah was notified that she had been named a semi-finalist in YTV's Youth Achievement Awards in the vocal category. In 2001, Sarah began a hiatus from her music career in order to explore her other great passion – movies. She owned Saskatoon’s most eclectic and original video store, 49 Cent Video, for over three years. Having returned home to Saskatchewan after an interesting year in British Columbia, the songs have started speaking again and Sarah is reinspired to share them.
Some musicians on the rather eclectic list of performers that have had a significant influence on Sarah's songwriting are Smashing Pumpkins, Leonard Cohen, Emm Gryner, Andrew Dorff, Suzanne Vega, Wide Mouth Mason and her own father, Barry Stefanson.
Sarah weaves lyrical images into song with a deftness that inspires. With their complicated emotional themes and eloquent lyrics, Sarah's songs have served as messages, therapy, and lessons for herself and those who listen.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR BOOKING
sstefanson@hotmail.com
