Since breaking through in 2004 with the iconic album 'The Overture & The Underscore', Sarah Blasko has released a steady stream of albums, often at three-yearly intervals.
Despite her almost metronomic output, each release has been an evolution ensuring she has remained relevant to new listeners without alienating the faithful. Her success, in part, could be because of her willingness to embrace and accept the new: an example, she is now embarking on her first, full-length solo tour.
For Sarah, there isn't a preferred mode of performing; she has enjoyed the extremes. She has accompanied herself with an acoustic guitar, but has also (once) been backed by the heft of the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra.
“I really enjoy playing stripped back; I mean the highlight of my career was playing with an orchestra which I did a few years back with 'I Awake', but then I did some really stripped-back shows a few years ago for the 'Heavenly Sounds' tour in churches and I really loved that… but then I really like playing festivals. I guess the variety is the spice of life, is that the expression?”
On an expansive tour that circumnavigates every corner of the continent, Sarah will present starkly bare renditions of her intricately layered tunes. “I guess in a way it feels like many of these songs are returning to their simplest form, which is where they were when they were written.
“It is the most exposing thing that I’ve ever done. I don’t know why but I find that liberating to just say: 'Here I am. I’m here and this me.'”
While Sarah’s distinctive vocal delivery has contributed to her sustained success, so to have the intimacy and insight of her lyrics. Listeners sometimes falsely assume, though, that all the words penned are a direct window into her own soul.
“People assume that a lot of things are autobiographical, but sometimes they’re not. You want to give of yourself but more and more as I’ve gone along, I’ve wanted to be more generous with what I do and not be so self-focused and maybe tell more stories and show more perspectives in my music.”
To attain new perspectives, Sarah is forever delving into new artistic worlds; she has provided soundtracks to Shakespearean plays, dance works and for a web series. “I enjoy doing the theatre and film stuff because you’re trying to choose the right elements to keep to what they’re doing.
“You feel fresh to go into the next thing because you’ve done something that’s quite different before it. At the end of last year, I did this artist in residence thing in this theatre space and it’s ended up being the new album.”
Between her last album and now, Sarah has become a mother. While it has been a profoundly transformative experience for her, she knows her lot does not differ from any other parent.
“I’m no different from anyone else who has a kid and has to make it work, so I kind of feel weird to talk as though I’m somehow different. Anyone who has done this in their life knows that it’s a massive readjustment, it’s a massive life change.
“I guess maybe as a writer, I choose to see it as a positive thing as I have with any life or circumstantial changes; you just have to find new ways to make what you do. In a sense, it’s been a really great shake up because you have to focus on what’s important and all the stuff doesn’t matter.”
Sarah Blasko Tour Dates
Thu 1 Jun - Darwin Entertainment CentreWed 7 Jun - City Recital Hall (Sydney)
Thu 8 Jun - Canberra Theatre Playhouse
Fri 9 Jun - Anita's Theatre (Wollongong)
10-11 Jun - 48 Watt Street (Newcastle)
Thu 15 Jun - Melbourne Recital Centre
Thu 22 Jun - Brisbane Powerhouse
Fri 23 Jun - Tank Arts Centre (Cairns)
Wed 5 Jul - Adelaide Town Hall
Thu 6 Jul - Astor Theatre (Perth)
Wed 12 Jul - Theatre Royal (Hobart)
