Sarah Shook & The Disarmers – Years Tour [Q&A + 5 Quick Questions]

Sarah Shook was born just across Lake Ontario in Rochester, NY. She grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family, which meant, among other things, that music was restricted. Allowed to only listen to worship and classical music, and homeschooled, it was a sheltered upbringing.

At the age of nine, she taught herself how to play the piano. When high school aged, she taught herself acoustic guitar. At nineteen her family moved to North Carolina. It was here that Sarah started writing music. She started playing with a band, Sarah Shook & The Devil, followed by Sarah Shook & The Dirty Hands, and then Sarah Shook & the Disarmers. The constants in the equation are Sarah herself, and guitar player Eric Peterson.

Along with the Disarmers she released her debut album Sidelong in 2015. The record was recorded and released independently. In January of 2017, the band signed with Bloodshot Records and re-released the album. The record gained notoriety for being honest, fresh, and funny.

Fast forward to 2018 and the follow-up release of Years. It's a 10 song album that tells the story of letting go of a relationship. We've all been there, when passive-aggressive behaviours turn toxic. When it's time to walk out the door and start over, alone. The songs stand on their own, but together they carry a powerful message. Sarah's voice is unique and one that sticks with you.

We asked Sarah a few questions about the album and making new music so we could share them with you. Check it out!

Q&A

Q) Can you tell us about the writing and recording process for Years?

Sarah) Years is a collection of songs written over the span of about half a decade and two bad relationships. I always feel a sense of clarity when I can be objective and see both sides to a story in the form of lyrics.

Q) Are you working on new music? And if yes, can you elaborate on it a little bit.

Sarah) Yeah we're in pre-production for the next record; finding time to rehearse has been a logistical feat since we're pretty much relentlessly touring, but we do what we can. Pretty excited for what we have worked up so far, it's gonna be a bit of a different record.

Q) How do you balance being a parent with being a touring musician?
It's not easy being on the road so often, but we gotta strike while the iron's hot as they say. My son and I keep up via video chatting and messaging on Google Hangouts, and while it's no substitute for the real thing it sure does help. Very much looking forward to some downtime this fall.

Q) What's the music scene in North Carolina like?

Sarah) There's some killer talent comin' out of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, and a ton of other towns. There's a pretty thriving music scene a few hours in any direction it seems.

Q) I read the Noisey article, and you talked about pop country singers with bleached teeth and perfect hair singing about how hard their life is and how they have to drink whiskey every night to cope. How important is authenticity to you and the band?

Sarah) I mean I'd say it's paramount. There's no other way to do it as far as we're concerned.

Q) Band names. I get Sarah Shook, how'd you come up with "The Disarmers"?

Sarah) Well you take a scraggly lookin' outfit from central North Carolina including a front person with a reputation for being a badass but there's so much more there than meets the eye. We're pretty down to earth and caring people. And look out for each other.

"Equal parts Joan Jett and Hank Williams, Shook and the Disarmers are pioneers, finding a space that allows them to marry country and punk without falling victim to the corniness that can come from trying too hard to make one sound like the other." - Annalise Domenighini, Vice

Thanks to Sarah for taking the time to answer our questions, I hope we get a chance to meet when the band comes to town.

If you haven't seen Sarah & The Disarmers live yet, they're on tour. They'll be heading into Toronto to play the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern on July 6th. You can check out tour dates here and grab tickets to the Toronto show here.

5 Quick Questions with Sarah Shook & The Disarmers

Q1) If you're on a road trip, what's the one album you can listen to on repeat?

Sarah) Circumambulation by True Widow. It's like aural Xanax.

Q2) What can fans expect from a live performance?

Sarah) High energy heartfelt performances by all. We believe in what we do, and it shows.

Q3) Is there a band or artist you think people should be paying more attention to?

Sarah) We had the pleasure of sharing a few bills with She Returns From War and I've been wearin' out their latest album Mirrored Moon Dance Hall. Not a bad track in the bunch, some of the most authentic, beautiful, vocal delivery I've heard. Favorite track is Thieves.

Q4) Tell us something about you, that even your fans wouldn't know.

Sarah) I freaking love to cook. I've been vegan for over 5 years, I don't use recipes, cooking on the fly is just a super relaxing and rewarding creative outlet for me.

Q5) Do find Canadian audiences different from US audiences?

Sarah) I feel like after a few years of touring the states, Canada, Scandinavia, and the UK, about 150 days a year, most folks are the generally the same. There's good folks and bad folks everywhere. That said I can't think of a single Canadian I didn't take a shining to almost straight off.

BONUS QUESTION) Is there anything you want to share with our readers?

Sarah) There's a lotta progress to be made out in the world, and you never how much a small moment of kindness will mean to someone. And it's free.