Multi-hyphenates blow my mind. Not merely through their myriad of talents, but due to their abundance in work ethic. As I was catching up on the premiere of the TNT television show Falling Skies, I noticed that Sarah Carter, who plays a badass resistance fighter, was billed in the credits as Sarah Sanguin Carter, and I was intrigued. I discovered that the beautiful word is not only her real middle name, but also the first half of the band that she’s in, SanguinDrake, and I quickly searched for their songs. Carter’s speaking voice is so distinct and given that she’s described their sound as “Abbey Road psychedelic folk rock”, I knew it had to be fascinating– and I was right!
I absolutely love the whole concept and aesthetics of this video. The vintage PBS title card, the film effect, and the whole Factory vibe, with the Edie Sedgwick, Andy Warhol, The Velvet Underground, and Nico visuals are so spot-on, so well done, but more importantly, very keen in regards to the lyrics. “Gems are gems if we make them so.”
Carter’s voice is slightly reminiscent of Natalie Merchant (10,000 Maniacs) and Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer), with a bewitching bite to it. This quality of her voice atop infectious drums and guitar distortions, solidify a very distinct atmosphere that evokes nostalgia and ephemera.
I’ve been a fan of Carter since I saw her in the television show Black Sash (yes, I’m a WB child. And that theme song? ♥), and now I’m definitely a fan of her music. In my SanguinDrake search, I stumbled upon this interview with photographer Noa Azoulay-Sclater and I love what she had to say here:
Azouley-Sclater: Do you feel like we need to take risks in art? Why?
Carter: Of course! Nothing valuable is without risk. We’re in the business of birthing what’s never been. We have no idea what will happen in the process. What we’ll learn, what we’ll lose, and what it will bring.
Art is creation at its best and most chaotic.
For more SanguinDrake, they have a stunning website, where this song, and the album Pretty Tricks from which it’s from, can be purchased. You can also get it on iTunes. Anyone near San Diego can also see them live at The Griffin on Friday July 6th.
No Comments