Sahara Smith (born September 26, 1988) is an American singer-songwriter who released her debut album in 2010.
Sahara Smith | |
|---|---|
 Austin Music Awards (2011) | |
| Background information | |
| Born | September 26, 1988 |
| Origin | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Folk rock, alternative |
| Years active | 2006–2013 |
| Labels | Playing In Traffic |
| Website | saharasmith |
Early life
editSahara (her father hiccuped while suggesting "Sara," and both parties liked the mistake[1]) Smith was born in Austin, Texas and spent her youth in Wimberley, Texas. She began writing poetry at age 3, with a poem published in the "Anthology of Poetry for Young Americans" while in the second grade,[1] music at age twelve and at age fifteen took second place in A Prairie Home Companion's 'Talent from 12-20' contest on May 8, 2004, performing "It Don't Rain Much" and "Twilight Red".[2][3][4] A studio recording of "Twilight Red" would be included on her debut album.
Career
edit
Producer T-Bone Burnett noticed Smith and took her into the studio to record her debut album, Myth of the Heart, which was released in 2010 and described as a "hybrid of folk, Americana, country and bluegrass".[5][6][7] Smith appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman in November 2010.[8] Smith says her musical influences include Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits.[3]
In 2006 an Austin Chronicle music reporter said: "Her musical sophistication and the uncanny maturity of her lyrics astonished me" and she is "the most gifted young performer I've seen in 26 years."[9] A Seventeen article described her as a "striking, lanky redhead [who] exudes confidence and grace" and described her vocals as "a mixture of the soulful folk melodies of Jewel with the soothing vocals of Norah Jones”.[10]
A Los Angeles Times music reviewer said "Smith creates Cinemascope-like wide-screen portraits of romantic passion, loneliness and unrequited love in her richly impressive, intensely soulful debut album."[11] Other reviewers mention her "smoky voice, bluesy folk sound"[12] that "invokes lazy summer nights and sweaty slow dancing".[13]
In June 2013 she rebranded herself as "Girl Pilot"[14] and is working on a new 10-song album. "The name Girl Pilot comes from a book of comics from the 1940s called "Smilin' Jack and the Daredevil Girl Pilot" that I've had since I was 13. I've carried that name around with me for years, and because my new album is so different from the last, and so indicative of who I am now, this feels like the perfect moment to use it. I've never been so excited to do what I do, or felt so eager to take control of my life and my career. Girl Pilot feels somehow correct."[15]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales threshold) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Rock | US Heat | US Indie | |||
| 2010 | Myth Of The Heart
|
- | - | - | - | |
Music videos
edit| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "The Real Thing" | Rosalyn Rosen |
| 2010 | "Thousand Secrets" | Rosalyn Rosen |
References
edit- ^ a b "'Myth' becomes reality for Wimberley's Smith". Retrieved 11 August 2013.
- ^ (September 17, 2010)Sahara Smith in Concert, NPR Music, Retrieved Feb 27, 2012
- ^ a b (August 27, 2010) Sahara Smith; Oliver Twist in Atlanta Wall Street Journal, Retrieved Feb 27 2012
- ^ "Talent Show Winner and Contestants Saturday, May 8, 2004". Retrieved 11 August 2013.
- ^ Caldwell, Patrick. "'Myth' becomes reality for Wimberley's Smith". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ (June 7, 2011) Sahara Smith on Mountain Stage NPR Music, Retrieved Feb 27 2012
- ^ "Sahara Smith Album Review". The Wall Street Journal. 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ "IMDb". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ^ Ventura, Michael. "Letters at 3AM". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ Magazine, Seventeen. "new artist: sahara smith". Seventeen. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ Lewis, Randy. "Sahara Smith Album Review". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ Baker, Whitney. "Best of What's Next: Sahara Smith". Paste. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ "new artist: sahara smith". Glamour. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ playingintraffic (June 11, 2013). "Sahara Smith Becomes girl pilot". Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ "About girl pilot". Archived from the original on 10 June 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2013.