Sarah Siskind’s artistry speaks for itself – an arresting voice; a respected, much-covered songwriter; a frequently-licensed recording artist; an admired, free-spirited, commanding performer.
You can catch this Winston-Salem native at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, for $12 at the Wake Forest Listening Room.
Siskind’s songs have been covered by Alison Krauss, Bon Iver, Wynonna, Randy Travis and many others. She’s had more than 20 songs in the hit TV series “Nashville,” including the unofficial theme song “A Life That’s Good,” and heart-wrencher “Sanctuary” which was recently performed on “American Idol” by a finalist.
Her latest album, “Modern Appalachia,” finds Siskind clothed in authenticity, where mountain melodies intertwine with progressive turns, a sonic interpretation of how she uniquely weaves the traditional with the progressive. Guitar legend Bill Frisell and indie icon Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) guest along with band Daniel Kimbro, Mike Seal, Jeff Sipe and Rose Cousins. Mary Chapin Carpenter, whom Siskind has opened for, calls the album “heart-stoppingly GREAT.”
Growing up in a North Carolina house so steeped in music; she claims it as her first language. “I almost find it hard to talk about my music,” Siskind says, “speaking is really my second form of communication.” After moving to Nashville at the age of 20, her song “Goodbye Is All We Have” was recorded by Alison Krauss, which led to a job at Big Yellow Dog as a staff writer. Siskind went to have songs recorded by Randy Travis, Wynonna, Point of Grace, Madi Diaz, and countless others. Her music has also found its way onto television, where her songs have been heavily featured on MTV’s “Teen Mom 2,” MTV’s “Awkward,” ABC’s “Pretty Little Liars,” Lifetime’s “Army Wives” and HBO’s “The Wire.” She made her primetime TV debut in 2014, performing “Nashville”’s hit “A Life That’s Good” from the Ryman stage with the show’s cast and co-writer Ashley Monroe.
But her notoriety as a songwriter has not overshadowed her virtuosity as an artist. As I wrote in The Huffington Post, “Siskind has been compared to Bonnie Raitt and Brandi Carlile, but in my humble opinion, she’s incomparable.” In 2009, Siskind released her album, “Say It Louder” on Thirty Tigers, which met with critical acclaim and won “Americana Album of the Year” at the Nashville Music Awards.
In 2009, Siskind released her album, “Say It Louder” on Thirty Tigers, which met with critical acclaim and won “Americana Album of the Year” at the Nashville Music Awards. Her earlier album “Covered,” the release of which was derailed due to health issues, was brought back to life in 2014 by Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), who personally sought it out for re-release on his record label Jagjaguwar.
Since then, Siskind has become a regular NPR performer, with features on Tiny Desk concerts, World Cafe with David Dye, All Songs Considered, Song Of The Day, and most recently Mountain Stage. She has toured with Bonnie Raitt, Lee Ann Womack, Paul Brady, Bon Iver (who also famously covered her “Lovin’s For Fools”), and The Swell Season.
Check out other upcoming shows including The Gravy Boys and Songs from the Road Band at this link.
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