Award winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rachael Sage will visit Milton Keynes next week (March 29), to play The Stables.
The New York based talent will be supporting synth-pop pioneer Howard Jones, and is more than a little bit excited by the prospect: "I've been touring for many years and enjoyed every minute of my eclectic, adventurous indie tour so far," she said.
"But when I was told I would be supporting Howard Jones, it was quite literally a dream come true. It will be a huge honour to share the stage with one of my all-time favourite artists, and I can't wait to meet him in person!
He came from a classical place and so did I. He played synthesizer and so did I. But mainly it was because his lyrics just seemed so incredibly honest and compassionate. And vocally, it felt like he was singing just to you."
Since launching her own MPress Records, Rachael has delivered 12 albums of original material, and Rolling Stone magazine clarifies 'Sage has a knack for writing melodies that will break your heart.'
Ahead of The Stables date, Rachael went On Track with Total MK...
THE SONG THAT FIRST AWAKENED YOUR MUSICAL SENSES
The first song I heard that made me want to play piano was actually "Oklahoma" from the Broadway show. I think I was two and a half...and I went to the piano and played the melody and my parents were very surprised, since neither play an instrument or sing.
But they were very encouraging and started taking me to more shows to see if I'd keep sounding out other songs by ear. Apparently I did!
PHYSICAL OR DIGITAL - HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR MUSIC?
I enjoy music on every format. As a creator myself as well as a record label owner I consider it my job to experience music every possible way, so I understand several listening experiences.
That said, I will always love the experience of looking at artwork and lyrics while listening, so nothing beats physical for me, whether vinyl or cd. On an airplane though, I'm happy to have the convenience of not shlepping my music, by having it on my iPad or phone!
THE FIRST TIME YOU THOUGHT 'MUSIC - THIS IS THE JOB FOR ME'
I've always thought music - or rather, performing in general - was meant to be my job.
I literally can't remember not feeling that way or thinking that, since I first touched a piano or took a dance class or saw "Solid Gold" and "American Bandstand".
It was just more and more evidence, every time I saw a performer live or on television, that "that's what I want to do". A pivotal moment for me was when I was five years old, when my camp director – who was familiar with my musical ability and undoubtedly giving me a healthy little push – asked me to lead everyone in our camp theme song on the piano, because the adult accompanist was ill.
I sat down, heard everyone singing along, and was overwhelmed by the excitement and purposefulness I felt, utilizing a skill that came very naturally to me. I was hooked!
YOUR BEST ON STAGE MEMORY...
A few years back, I had the opportunity to share the stage with Marc Cohn, who is one of my very favorite artists and whose music was a huge stylistic influence on me.
After my opening set, he graciously invited me to sing background vocals with him, and I remember thinking to myself literally, "enjoy this moment - it doesn't get any better than this!" It was a beautiful, inspiring night I'll never forget.
AND THE WORST GIG YOU'VE EVER DONE
Early in my career I do recall playing a lot of gigs at The Bitter End in NYC where people would just talk loudly through my set and it was definitely discouraging. But in many ways those were the gigs that taught me how to be persistent, how to gradually win over a room or just shake it off and move on to the next if it didn't go as I'd hoped. I wouldn't trade any of it!
WHAT MADE YOU TAKE UP SINGING
I composed instrumental music at the piano for two years before I decided to add words, open up my mouth and sing. One day I just started singing what I was feeling off the top of my head, while I was at the piano and suddenly I was singing my own song; I suppose it was just another, more creative way I'd found to communicate my emotions.
It felt natural and like something if I kept working at, would give me back as much as I put into it. And it definitely has!
WHICH ONE SONG BY ANOTHER ARTIST DO YOU WISH YOU HAD WRITTEN
"American Pie" by Don McLean. That's the song my Dad played me when I was little that made me want to write lyrics more thoughtfully, that could tell a story and be poetic as well as catchy/pop.
I also wish I'd written "Breathe" by Maria McKee, who is my favorite female vocalist. But then again, if I had, I probably wouldn't enjoy listening to it thousands of times on repeat so it's all for the best!
AND ONE - BY YOURSELF - WHICH HOLDS SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE
My favorite song I've ever written is "Frost". It's from an older album of mine, "Public Record", and the recording is just piano and cello.
Topically it's about the unspoken lines that exist in relationships, and how when we cross them and hurt each other by keeping secrets, we can't always recover. Essentially it's about taking responsibility for betraying a loved-one's' trust, and becoming a better, more sensitive person from one's past mistakes. It also holds special significance for me because it's been used by many lyrical dance companies, including the amazing cast of the TV show "Dance Moms".
ARE THERE ANY CURRENT INFLUENCES YOU LOOK TO
Some of my current favorite artists are Elvis Costello (who's been my #1 favorite for many years), Neil Finn, Glen Hansard, Passenger, Andra Day, Hozier, Florence & The Machine, Janelle Monae, Esperanza Spalding...
IF YOU COULD STEP INTO THE SHOES OF ANOTHER MUSICIAN, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I would be Buddy Holly, and never get on that plane...
AND ANY GENRE OF MUSIC THAT YOU SIMPLY CAN'T STAND?
I haven't encountered one yet actually. If it's well-played, adventurous, has a committed attitude or character, I will probably like something about it.
FINALLY, PLUG YOUR SHOW AT THE STABLES IN MILTON KEYNES - WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
I'll be performing material from my current album "Choreographic" along with some brand new songs, accompanied by my fabulous violinist Kelly Halloran. I'll also be very excited inevitably – because it's a huge honor to be supporting Howard Jones, whose music I've always adored.
I think this is a very important time for people to be coming together and experiencing community through the arts, and I feel so lucky to be able to continue to do what I love most, both in the US and in the UK, my home-away-from-home!
Wednesday's show, unsurprisingly, is a sell-out. Try for tickets returns here
