Sarah Jaffe

New artist Sarah Jaffe delivers beautiful music with a down-to-earth vibe

By: Brittany Stevens

Posted: 3/5/10

Many new artists break onto the scene every year, but few have the soul and intensity 24-year-old Sarah Jaffe delivers.

The Denton, Texas, singer and songwriter has a beautiful style that breaks the country music mold most people associate with Texas musicians. She fits more into the mold of a folk singer, but manages to mix in elements from other genres, as well.

Oozing with beauty and soulfulness, Jaffe's first full-length album, "Suburban Nature," is scheduled to be released May 18. The first single from the album, "Vulnerable," was released in February and delivers a beat that will stick in your head and honest lyrics you can relate to.

Jaffe has already been recognized for her talent and is sure to receive more recognition in the future. At the Dallas Observer Music Awards, Jaffe won Best Solo Act, Best Folk/Acoustic Act and Best Female Vocalist.

Jaffe will tour with Norah Jones for about a week in March and will join her again for a few days in May. She will tour in between those dates to promote her new album.

The Gateway interviewed Jaffe about her music, tour with Norah Jones and life on the road.

How long have you been performing?

I've been performing since I was about 17 (when I had my first show), so about six or seven years.

How were you discovered?

I just started playing shows when I was just out of high school, and played and played and played. I made friends with some amazing people as well as amazing musicians. I just kind of put myself out there. I wrote a lot of songs, played a bunch of shows, and worked a day job so I could keep doing what I love.

What is the inspiration behind your music?

I think with the majority of my songs, they're all kind of inspired by the irony of seeing things in hindsight. For the most part it seems like I only write when something is behind me and whatever emotion is settled.

What has been your favorite part about touring?

Well, besides the charm of a new place every night, it has become more meaningful to me as of late how incredible it is to be meeting new people every night. So just making new friends, I suppose, is pretty wonderful.

What has been your least favorite part about touring?

I tend to be very much a creature of habit, and usually our kind are homebodies as well, so I may fall into the category of being a homebody. But I mean, I've done all right kind of finding a routine of some sort anywhere I am, and sticking to it. So I can have the best of both worlds.

What are you looking forward to the most with this tour?

Opening for an artist that I very much respect, in venues that have such a history. I'm honored to be doing that.

What has been your favorite concert so far?

Actually, to this day my favorite show was a house show I played at my house in Denton, Texas, two summers ago with my good friend Robert Gomez and The Baptist Generals. It was about 80 of my closest friends sweating in my living room in the hottest part of the summer. It was maybe the most fun I've ever had. A wonderful night. That's actually where I met Norah.

What has working with Norah Jones been like for you?

Well I haven't really worked with her yet. This will be my first time playing shows with her. I can only imagine it will be a blast.