Portland, Maine-based singer/songwriter Sara Cox has been singing 'her whole damn life.' As a girl in Nashville, she sang three-part harmony with her family, and began writing her first lonesome ballads on ukulele at age six. Sara's first full-length album, Arrive, [Velvet Ed Music, 2003) evidences a lifetime devotion to close listening and compassionate observation: she always finds the most captivating melody to carry a lyric, and her sharply drawn portraits of lovers and friends compel you further into the world contained within her resonant, powerful voice.
In the title track, 'Arrive,' her tone ranges from intimate confession to jubilant defiance, suggesting vulnerability while adamantly declaring independence. Backed by her guitarist/producer husband Nate Schrock, drummer Ginger Cote and multi-instrumentalist Steve Jones, and armed with a vocal style that moves from sweet falsetto to barn-burning belt with ease, Sara's debut album reveals an artist who has come into her own.
Singles from the album such as the title track, 'Hit the Wall' (radio edit) and 'Look Up' have been in regular rotation on her hometown AAA station, WCLZ, and in March, 2004, the popular syndicated Americana radio show Acoustic CafÈ selected Sara as 'One to Watch' garnering her airplay across America and recognition by the show's sponser, USA Songwriting Competition.
Local fans voted her Portland's best female vocalist in 2003, at the same time that "Arrive" was chosen album of the year by the Portland Phoenix. Industry mags like Paste and Harp have given her favorable reviews which is a rarity for self-released projects.
Sara has played to enthusiastic audiences opening for John Hiatt, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Stacey Earle and Suzanne Vega among others. Clearly, she is 'one to watch' and listen for. John Conquest from 3rd Coast Music says that Sara's songs are simply 'exceptional,' and fans around the country agree. Stay tuned for her second full length album, due out in spring 2005.
[Folk, Folk Rock, Americana]
